Ian McEwan Announces New Novel 'What We Can Know,' Exploring Time and Memory

Set for release on September 16, the post-apocalyptic novel bridges past, present, and future in a story of love, crime, and survival.

Ian McEwan's upcoming novel, 'What We Can Know,' is described as 'science fiction without the science,' set in a 22nd-century Britain transformed by rising sea levels.
The story follows scholar Thomas Metcalfe's search for a lost poem from 2014, uncovering a tale of love, crime, and shifting perceptions of those around him.
McEwan's novel explores themes of history, memory, and the limits of human understanding, connecting different time periods in a deeply human narrative.
Publisher Alfred A. Knopf describes the book as a 'literary love story' and a 'murder mystery with a thrilling twist,' highlighting its immersive storytelling.
The novel will be released on September 16, 2025, and is currently available for preorder.