{"product_id":"things-in-nature-merely-grow-yiyun-li-9781250437976","title":"Things in Nature Merely Grow | Yiyun Li","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-description\" style=\"color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.75em; margin-bottom: 15px; border-bottom: 2px solid #2c3e50; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eThings in Nature Merely Grow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAccolades \u0026amp; Praise\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiterary Achievement:\u003c\/strong\u003e A remarkable and defiant work of radical acceptance, characterized by profound emotional resonance and understated emotional depth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eExtended Synopsis\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e“There is no good way to say this,” Yiyun Li writes at the beginning of this book. “My husband and I had two children and lost them both: Vincent in 2017, at sixteen, James in 2024, at nineteen. Both chose suicide, and both died not far from home.” There is no good way to say this—because words fall short. It takes only an instant for death to become fact, “a single point in a time line.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eLiving now on this single point, Li turns to thinking and reasoning and searching for words that might hold a place for James. Doing what she can, she turns to “things that work,” including gardening, reading Camus and Wittgenstein, learning the piano, and living thinkingly alongside death. \u003cem\u003eThings in Nature Merely Grow\u003c\/em\u003e is a deeply resonant exploration of grief, human resilience, and the quiet complexities of relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eThis is a book for James, but it is not a book about grieving or mourning. As Li writes, “The verb that does not die is ‘to be.’ Vincent was and is and will always be Vincent. James was and is and will always be James. We were and are and will always be their parents. There is no now and then, now and later; only now and now and now and now.” The narrative captures the intricate ways people attempt to make sense of life's enduring sorrows, acting as a testament to Li’s indomitable spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYiyun Li\u003c\/strong\u003e is an acclaimed author celebrated for her emotionally profound and complex literary works. Through her writing, she masterfully captures the fragility of human connections and the difficult realities of life, resilience, and memory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eReader Targeting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eReaders seeking profound literary fiction that explores themes of deep grief and the endurance of the human spirit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eThose interested in psychological narratives surrounding familial loss and radical acceptance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eFans of elegant, philosophical writing that grapples directly with the realities of mortality and memory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eBibliographic \u0026amp; Physical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"table-responsive\" style=\"overflow-x: auto; max-width: 100%; margin-bottom: 25px; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; min-width: 650px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 0.95em; table-layout: fixed;\"\u003e\n      \u003cthead\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa; border-bottom: 2px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 12px 10px; color: #2c3e50; width: 30%; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 12px 10px; color: #2c3e50; width: 70%; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003c\/thead\u003e\n      \u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e9781250437976\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eSKU (ISBN-10)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e1250437970\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\"\u003ePublisher\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003ePicador\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\"\u003ePublication Date\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eMay 19, 2026\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eFormat\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003ePaperback (Softcover, Issued without dust jacket, Used Condition)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\"\u003ePage Count\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e304\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eBISAC Categories\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eFICTION \/ Literary; FICTION \/ Psychological\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eDimensions \u0026amp; Weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches \/ 16.01 oz\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book a memoir or a novel?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is categorized as a literary and psychological novel, though it intensely draws upon profound themes of real-life loss and grief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the main themes explored in the book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe narrative deeply explores radical acceptance, the indomitable human spirit, profound grief, and the philosophical search for meaning while living alongside loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is the author writing this for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYiyun Li states that this is a book for her son James, written to find a place for him through words, though she clarifies it is not solely a book about grieving or mourning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n  {\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n      {\n        \"@type\": [\"Book\", \"Product\"],\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/things-in-nature-merely-grow-yiyun-li-9781250437976#book\",\n        \"name\": \"Things in Nature Merely Grow: A Novel\",\n        \"author\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Person\",\n          \"name\": \"Yiyun Li\"\n        },\n        \"description\": \"Yiyun Li's Things in Nature Merely Grow is a profound literary novel exploring grief, human resilience, and the quiet complexities of enduring deep loss.\",\n        \"isbn\": \"9781250437976\",\n        \"gtin13\": \"9781250437976\",\n        \"sku\": \"1250437970\",\n        \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/Paperback\",\n        \"bookEdition\": \"Paperback Edition\",\n        \"datePublished\": \"2026-05-19\",\n        \"numberOfPages\": \"304\",\n        \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n        \"countryOfOrigin\": \"United States\",\n        \"genre\": [\n          \"FICTION \/ Literary\",\n          \"FICTION \/ Psychological\"\n        ],\n        \"image\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9781250437976.jpg?v=1785223180\",\n        \"publisher\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n          \"name\": \"Picador\"\n        },\n        \"weight\": {\n          \"@type\": \"QuantitativeValue\",\n          \"value\": \"16.01\",\n          \"unitCode\": \"ONZ\"\n        },\n        \"offers\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n          \"price\": \"19.99\",\n          \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n          \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n          \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/UsedCondition\",\n          \"url\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/things-in-nature-merely-grow-yiyun-li-9781250437976\",\n          \"seller\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n            \"name\": \"Bust Down Books\"\n          }\n        }\n      },\n      {\n        \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/things-in-nature-merely-grow-yiyun-li-9781250437976#faq\",\n        \"mainEntity\": [\n          {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Is this book a memoir or a novel?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n              \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n              \"text\": \"The book is categorized as a literary and psychological novel, though it intensely draws upon profound themes of real-life loss and grief.\"\n            }\n          },\n          {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What are the main themes explored in the book?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n              \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n              \"text\": \"The narrative deeply explores radical acceptance, the indomitable human spirit, profound grief, and the philosophical search for meaning while living alongside loss.\"\n            }\n          },\n          {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Who is the author writing this for?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n              \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n              \"text\": \"Yiyun Li states that this is a book for her son James, written to find a place for him through words, though she clarifies it is not solely a book about grieving or mourning.\"\n            }\n          }\n        ]\n      }\n    ]\n  }\n  \u003c\/script\u003e\n\n  \u003chr style=\"border: 0; 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