In the Lives of Puppets | TJ Klune

In the Lives of Puppets

Accolades & Praise

• Bestseller Status: A New York Times, Sunday Times, and Indie Bestseller.
• Starred Review: "An epic quest of rescue and discovery [with] the author’s trademark charm, heart, and bittersweetness." — Library Journal
• "An enchanting tale of Pinocchio in the end times." — P. Djèlí Clark

Extended Synopsis

In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots—fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They’re a family, hidden and safe.

The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labeled "HAP," he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio—a past spent hunting humans. When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio’s former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams.

Together, the rest of Vic’s assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming. Along the way to save Gio, amid conflicted feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic must decide for himself if he can accept love with strings attached. Inspired by Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio, this stand-alone fantasy adventure is a masterful exploration of found family and what it truly means to be human.

About the Author

TJ Klune is the New York Times bestselling author of widely acclaimed fantasy and LGBTQ+ fiction, including the beloved novels The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door. He is celebrated for his compassionate storytelling and ability to craft deeply heartfelt, character-driven narratives.

Reader Targeting

• Fans of heartfelt, cozy fantasy featuring found families and quirky companions.
• Readers who enjoy clever, emotional retellings of classic tales like Pinocchio.
• Enthusiasts of LGBTQ+ fiction, sci-fi, and optimistic post-apocalyptic adventures.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is In the Lives of Puppets about?
It is a whimsical, post-apocalyptic retelling of Pinocchio following a young human named Victor who lives with a quirky robot family. When his android father is captured, Victor embarks on a dangerous rescue mission across the country.

Is this book part of a series?
No, it is a stand-alone fantasy adventure.

What inspired the story?
The novel is heavily inspired by Carlo Collodi's classic tale, The Adventures of Pinocchio, infused with elements similar to Swiss Family Robinson and WALL-E.

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