What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
19 days and 16:42:48
15 copies available
U.S. only
Public Access Afterworld
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26Win a free print copy of this book!
19 days and 16:42:48
15 copies available
U.S. only
A mysterious realm on the other side of our screens. A dark force that draws victims into its static. The unlikely hero called to save them and herself from this electric hell. Public Access Afterworld is the profound, binge-all-night, headrush of a novel by the celebrated filmmaker of I Saw the TV Glow.
Find the receiver. Make it real.
At 5:35pm on September 3rd, 1988, Dallas weatherman Ray “Can You Say Sunshine” Davino makes passing reference to Public Access Afterworld during a rambling monologue, right before he puts a gun to his head on live television and pulls the trigger.
On June 12th, 2009, David Sawyer and Erin Morrison, two lonely, TV-obsessed suburban teens who might be falling in love, gather in Erin’s basement to watch TV’s analog-to-digital transition. But in the static that follows, Erin witnesses surreal broadcasts from a pirate TV network called Public Access Afterworld and their lives are changed forever.
Seventeen years later, Bethany Peters toils through the night shift at megacorp GlobalVill’s bleak Austin campus. A trans content moderator, she spends her evenings reviewing an endless stream of horrific videos. But then a young streamer begins to crop up in her feed calling out to Public Access Afterworld.
But what is Public Access Afterworld?
Spanning decades and realities, with an unforgettable ensemble of outcasts and nerds, especially the messy but wholly relatable Bethany who must overcome paranoia and self-doubt to transform into a hero of our times, Public Access Afterworld will have you reading through the night and rooting for its characters to survive. A mesmerizing mashup of speculative fiction, horror, and conspiracy, it marks the arrival of a major new force in contemporary fiction by a groundbreaking filmmaker who’s been compared to David Lynch and Paul Thomas Anderson.
Find the receiver. Make it real.
At 5:35pm on September 3rd, 1988, Dallas weatherman Ray “Can You Say Sunshine” Davino makes passing reference to Public Access Afterworld during a rambling monologue, right before he puts a gun to his head on live television and pulls the trigger.
On June 12th, 2009, David Sawyer and Erin Morrison, two lonely, TV-obsessed suburban teens who might be falling in love, gather in Erin’s basement to watch TV’s analog-to-digital transition. But in the static that follows, Erin witnesses surreal broadcasts from a pirate TV network called Public Access Afterworld and their lives are changed forever.
Seventeen years later, Bethany Peters toils through the night shift at megacorp GlobalVill’s bleak Austin campus. A trans content moderator, she spends her evenings reviewing an endless stream of horrific videos. But then a young streamer begins to crop up in her feed calling out to Public Access Afterworld.
But what is Public Access Afterworld?
Spanning decades and realities, with an unforgettable ensemble of outcasts and nerds, especially the messy but wholly relatable Bethany who must overcome paranoia and self-doubt to transform into a hero of our times, Public Access Afterworld will have you reading through the night and rooting for its characters to survive. A mesmerizing mashup of speculative fiction, horror, and conspiracy, it marks the arrival of a major new force in contemporary fiction by a groundbreaking filmmaker who’s been compared to David Lynch and Paul Thomas Anderson.
608 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 27, 2026
About the author
Jane Schoenbrun
2 books158 followersJane Schoenbrun is an award-winning filmmaker and writer. Their films include I Saw the TV Glow and We’re All Going to the World’s Fair. Their newest film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma starring Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder, releases in 2026. Public Access Afterworld is their first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
anticipating
April 30, 2026No clue what it’s about. I just read “by the creator of I Saw The Glow” and I don’t need any more information. Let’s go.
May 20, 2026
Um. I need some time to write a full review bc I am in SHOCK. 11/5 stars. (May 16, 2026)
Okay, review edit (May 20, 2026) -- I truly needed to let this sit for 4 days to try to process that outcome and my emotions —like, will there be a sequel, or is that up to my own interpretation???
I am absolutely ASTOUNDED and thankful to Hogarth Books, the lovely Jane Schoenbrun, and NetGalley for advanced access to this TWISTED analog horror before it shocks the public on October 27, 2026.
Public Access Afterworld is a place that exists underneath all the static of your television's regularly scheduled programming. It traps its crooked inhabitants in a creativity-farming hub that eliminates their physical being from our plane for the rest of eternity... fun.
Our assumed main character, David Sawyer, is on a quest to rescue his best friend, Erin Morrison, from Public Access Afterworld after she was taken by the static decades ago. In an attempt to locate those who could travel to this mystical realm, he gathers a unique group of followers and somehow attains "cult-leader" status as a result of his eccentric views.
Halfway across the country, we're introduced to Bethany Peters, a trans woman who's still trying to find herself and escape her sexless relationship and dead-end job. That dead-end job, however, has a connection to the PAA, and it's only a matter of time before the lore of this evil corporation reveals its true intentions to "save" the world???
GOSH DANGIT. I feel like that's all I can say without giving away too much. Each and every twist left me needing to pick my jaw up off the ground time and time again. I am SHOOK, and obsessed.
Okay, review edit (May 20, 2026) -- I truly needed to let this sit for 4 days to try to process that outcome and my emotions —like, will there be a sequel, or is that up to my own interpretation???
I am absolutely ASTOUNDED and thankful to Hogarth Books, the lovely Jane Schoenbrun, and NetGalley for advanced access to this TWISTED analog horror before it shocks the public on October 27, 2026.
Public Access Afterworld is a place that exists underneath all the static of your television's regularly scheduled programming. It traps its crooked inhabitants in a creativity-farming hub that eliminates their physical being from our plane for the rest of eternity... fun.
Our assumed main character, David Sawyer, is on a quest to rescue his best friend, Erin Morrison, from Public Access Afterworld after she was taken by the static decades ago. In an attempt to locate those who could travel to this mystical realm, he gathers a unique group of followers and somehow attains "cult-leader" status as a result of his eccentric views.
Halfway across the country, we're introduced to Bethany Peters, a trans woman who's still trying to find herself and escape her sexless relationship and dead-end job. That dead-end job, however, has a connection to the PAA, and it's only a matter of time before the lore of this evil corporation reveals its true intentions to "save" the world???
GOSH DANGIT. I feel like that's all I can say without giving away too much. Each and every twist left me needing to pick my jaw up off the ground time and time again. I am SHOOK, and obsessed.
Want to Read
April 20, 2026I need this yesterday.
June 16, 2026
I am absolutely obsessed with this book. No notes.
It’s long, but trust me, it works.
It’s speculative fiction exploring the horrifying concept of what really lies behind the static on the tv screen. It has an incredibly eerie nostalgic feel as it follows the different stories of people disappearing into Public Access Afterworld, and those left behind. Some are searching for answers while others are hiding the secret.
The stories of all the different characters are all connected and intertwined. Part of what makes the book not feel so long is that it slips between the POVs and stories across different timelines and they all feel necessary. I liked how the POV would change before you felt like you were reading too long, and then would come back to it.
Overall, I loved it and it will be one of my top 10 books of the year.
It’s long, but trust me, it works.
It’s speculative fiction exploring the horrifying concept of what really lies behind the static on the tv screen. It has an incredibly eerie nostalgic feel as it follows the different stories of people disappearing into Public Access Afterworld, and those left behind. Some are searching for answers while others are hiding the secret.
The stories of all the different characters are all connected and intertwined. Part of what makes the book not feel so long is that it slips between the POVs and stories across different timelines and they all feel necessary. I liked how the POV would change before you felt like you were reading too long, and then would come back to it.
Overall, I loved it and it will be one of my top 10 books of the year.
June 27, 2026
I was so excited going into this and it fully exceeded my expectations. I feel like in the same way the characters become obsessed with public access afterworld I became obsessed with this story and figuring out what happens.
Want to Read
April 22, 2026NEEEEEED to read this novel by my own personally perfect horror film director <3
Want to Read
July 8, 2026just landed on a bunch of "to be robbed" lists since i just got an arc!
June 20, 2026
initial thoughts: so batshit crazy my mind is reeling but uhhhhh holy shit???????
after letting it marinate: Jane is so fucking cool. This book, much like I Saw the TV Glow, is made for a "rewatch," letting the layers of the story recontextualize all that came before it. There's so much to process! My brain feels like static fuzz! I can't wait to get my hands on my own physical copy so I can underline the shit out of it.
read on netgalley :)
after letting it marinate: Jane is so fucking cool. This book, much like I Saw the TV Glow, is made for a "rewatch," letting the layers of the story recontextualize all that came before it. There's so much to process! My brain feels like static fuzz! I can't wait to get my hands on my own physical copy so I can underline the shit out of it.
read on netgalley :)
May 21, 2026
Where do I even start?
I will admit that while I was really anticipating this book because I loved both of Jane’s films, I was nervous how their skills would translate from the screen into a novel, and if I would enjoy it as much as their films. Luckily even my highest expectations were surpassed.
Reading this was like being drawn into a really engrossing tv show, staying up all night to binge the entire season because at the end of every episode (chapter) it kept you on the edge of your seat and needing to find out what happens next.
The characters in here were great, I loved how their voices came through and that the protagonists weren’t perfect and didn’t always make the best decisions but I couldn’t help wanting them to still end up alright. Even the antagonists had motivations that were understandable, and they still felt human rather than just evil for the sake of it.
The plot was insane in the best way and always kept driving forward. Although at times the whole lore and concepts behind everything could’ve gotten confusing, we got enough information to still keep the story moving forward and making sense. When the reveals would finally happen, everything clicked and I also felt like I could make sense of the themes and threads that were shared between the author’s films and their novel.
The only minor thing I wish was different here is that the ending felt more fully resolved, but maybe that’s intentional. I really hope they write more novels because they definitely are skilled as an author as well as a filmmaker.
I will admit that while I was really anticipating this book because I loved both of Jane’s films, I was nervous how their skills would translate from the screen into a novel, and if I would enjoy it as much as their films. Luckily even my highest expectations were surpassed.
Reading this was like being drawn into a really engrossing tv show, staying up all night to binge the entire season because at the end of every episode (chapter) it kept you on the edge of your seat and needing to find out what happens next.
The characters in here were great, I loved how their voices came through and that the protagonists weren’t perfect and didn’t always make the best decisions but I couldn’t help wanting them to still end up alright. Even the antagonists had motivations that were understandable, and they still felt human rather than just evil for the sake of it.
The plot was insane in the best way and always kept driving forward. Although at times the whole lore and concepts behind everything could’ve gotten confusing, we got enough information to still keep the story moving forward and making sense. When the reveals would finally happen, everything clicked and I also felt like I could make sense of the themes and threads that were shared between the author’s films and their novel.
The only minor thing I wish was different here is that the ending felt more fully resolved, but maybe that’s intentional. I really hope they write more novels because they definitely are skilled as an author as well as a filmmaker.
July 5, 2026
Elaborate and engaging, really kept me on my toes right up to the last page!! Fundamentally I did not 100% buy into the premise of Public Access Afterworld and kept hoping I’d be fully convinced as the novel drew on (sorry to say it may just be the sci-fi hater in me), but even so, I was amazed by the complex entanglement of characters and worlds that Schoenbrun stitched together. I love a book that experiments with structure and perspective, so I especially appreciated some of the sections that felt even more out there than most (will try to remember to elaborate once this book is out in the world!). Schoenbrun explored queerness, transness, otherness, and becoming through the lens of TV and media with unsurprising but nonetheless impressive clarity and compassion.
June 27, 2026
reclamation of identity. desperation for escapism. inexplicable attachments to television and film. fandom as a life affirming practice. an innate otherness. all the themes that make schoenbrun a trailblazer within their cinematic works remain here in their debut novel. think my admiration for this will only grow as time goes on.
me when i feel so grateful to be alive at the same time as they’re creating work😭😭😭
me when i feel so grateful to be alive at the same time as they’re creating work😭😭😭
May 27, 2026
Thank you to Hogarth for sending me an early copy of this book. This book has been on my TBR for over a year now. Thank you to Jane Schoenbrun for writing this timeless queer horror.
The book begins with Erin and David celebrating the transition from analog to digital television. After drinking and counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until the change, the switch finally happens; yet nothing really changes. The only noticeable difference is the static on their analog Toshiba TV. Later, goes home, but Erin stays behind, staring at the static for days. Eventually, Erin sees a title on the screen reading "Public Access Afterworld," followed by footage of a woman with spatula hands washing dishes. Her increasing fixation with “Public Access Afterworld” ultimately leads to her disappearance. In the present, our hero is introduced as Bethany Peters, a trans woman who works as a content moderator for a major video streaming service. Bethany notices some strange videos uploaded by a user called "JulesPublicAccessAfterworld." Bethany goes through great lengths to have these videos taken down and help the user, who she fears is on the verge of suicide. In her efforts to assist, Bethany discovers something deeper than the surface.
The book is separated into episodes and is masterfully crafted to feel as though you’re experiencing it as a television show. It transitions smoothly between perspectives and narrative threads. Every time the story switched to a new POV, there was some familiarity between characters and timelines. The book never failed to impress me and take unexpected turns. I really didn't think I could get any more invested than I already was, but I always did. I really appreciated how well everything was thought out.
Every character you meet eventually reconnects in some way, and the story jumps between time periods. The mystery surrounding Public Access Afterworld deepens while also making the world feel larger, stranger, and more alive. With different formatting styles to make the book extremely engaging and easy to read. Despite being such a chunky book, it flows effortlessly. Schoenbrun screenwriting clearly shines through.
Bethany is a wonderfully written character; despite her intelligence and wit, she is struggling to navigate life and has unresolved family trauma. She continues to paint a clear and honest portrait of not only the trans experience but also the existential crisis that many of us face. She's probably my favorite written character (after Juan from Our Share of Night and Monstrilio himself). And it's such a refreshing portrayal because she's so real, relatable, and, once again, INCREDIBLY SMART. I've never seen a trans character be so unapologetic about who they are while also being the strongest and most powerful person in the story. I absolutely adore her.
This is easily a new favorite. I wish I could go back in time so I could re-live the experience of reading this book for the first time.
The book begins with Erin and David celebrating the transition from analog to digital television. After drinking and counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until the change, the switch finally happens; yet nothing really changes. The only noticeable difference is the static on their analog Toshiba TV. Later, goes home, but Erin stays behind, staring at the static for days. Eventually, Erin sees a title on the screen reading "Public Access Afterworld," followed by footage of a woman with spatula hands washing dishes. Her increasing fixation with “Public Access Afterworld” ultimately leads to her disappearance. In the present, our hero is introduced as Bethany Peters, a trans woman who works as a content moderator for a major video streaming service. Bethany notices some strange videos uploaded by a user called "JulesPublicAccessAfterworld." Bethany goes through great lengths to have these videos taken down and help the user, who she fears is on the verge of suicide. In her efforts to assist, Bethany discovers something deeper than the surface.
The book is separated into episodes and is masterfully crafted to feel as though you’re experiencing it as a television show. It transitions smoothly between perspectives and narrative threads. Every time the story switched to a new POV, there was some familiarity between characters and timelines. The book never failed to impress me and take unexpected turns. I really didn't think I could get any more invested than I already was, but I always did. I really appreciated how well everything was thought out.
Every character you meet eventually reconnects in some way, and the story jumps between time periods. The mystery surrounding Public Access Afterworld deepens while also making the world feel larger, stranger, and more alive. With different formatting styles to make the book extremely engaging and easy to read. Despite being such a chunky book, it flows effortlessly. Schoenbrun screenwriting clearly shines through.
Bethany is a wonderfully written character; despite her intelligence and wit, she is struggling to navigate life and has unresolved family trauma. She continues to paint a clear and honest portrait of not only the trans experience but also the existential crisis that many of us face. She's probably my favorite written character (after Juan from Our Share of Night and Monstrilio himself). And it's such a refreshing portrayal because she's so real, relatable, and, once again, INCREDIBLY SMART. I've never seen a trans character be so unapologetic about who they are while also being the strongest and most powerful person in the story. I absolutely adore her.
This is easily a new favorite. I wish I could go back in time so I could re-live the experience of reading this book for the first time.
June 11, 2026
been finding it hard to sum up my thoughts on this whirlwind of a book but if you’ve enjoyed any of Schoenbrun’s films you’ll probably like this. it touches on the same themes they like to explore in previous works - queer/trans identity with heavy emphasis on media and TV.
it’s a long book that gives you the opportunity to take your time and sink your teeth into these characters (mainly Bethany) and i loved how Jane tackles such an ambitious (and slightly ambiguous) storyline. so excited to see their new movie and hopefully another novel soon!
it’s a long book that gives you the opportunity to take your time and sink your teeth into these characters (mainly Bethany) and i loved how Jane tackles such an ambitious (and slightly ambiguous) storyline. so excited to see their new movie and hopefully another novel soon!
June 12, 2026
i am....flabbergasted. flummoxed. in shock. in awe? in disbelief? what did i just read. what the fuck do i feel. holy shit.
this book is going to light fires when it releases. wow. wow wow wow
thank you netgalley for the earc
this book is going to light fires when it releases. wow. wow wow wow
thank you netgalley for the earc
May 30, 2026
So hypnotic and engrossing I feel as if the static got me as well. Horrifying but in a quiet manner. Also very sweet, many characters here yet each of them felt fleshed out, rare! I find that books usually have either an interesting plot or interesting characters (annoying, but a plight I have accepted). But this has both?! Modern books are now held to a higher standard. Erin Morrison, my beloved, you are so special it’s true.
I would like to live up in Jane Schoenbruns brain. They’re operating on a creative level few could dream of.
Television gonna be different for me now. Static everywhere. Electricity. Oppenheimer? Yes.
I know I just raved and such but still not 5 stars because I have slight qualms with SOME! writing choices. Writing style makes sense for the content so not mad but cannot be perfect. But great. Really great.
I would like to live up in Jane Schoenbruns brain. They’re operating on a creative level few could dream of.
Television gonna be different for me now. Static everywhere. Electricity. Oppenheimer? Yes.
I know I just raved and such but still not 5 stars because I have slight qualms with SOME! writing choices. Writing style makes sense for the content so not mad but cannot be perfect. But great. Really great.
Want to Read
April 30, 2026Excuse me, a Jane Schoenbrun NOVEL? Double blessed, since we're also getting another JS movie this year, with Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson??
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was one of those books where after I finished it, I genuinely found it hard to go back to the real world after and finish my shift at work; I spent a long time after thinking about it and how much I loved it, and I'm finding it difficult to put my love for it into succinct, neat words even now. The title caught my eye and when I noticed the author's name, I was immediately excited and asked for a copy (thank you for the ARC!), then proceeded to devour it over the course of two days.
The themes of isolation, media obsession, trans/queer loneliness and desire for connection and perceived self-value, all of it blended so beautifully together with the strange, surreal concept of "Public Access Afterworld" (the place) and the wide variety of complex characters. I loved Bethany to pieces, and Jules, and so many of the characters; they all have flaws and ugly sides, but they're all so achingly human, I was so invested and wanted them all to make it to the end of the "tv show" safely and happily. If you loved "I Saw the TV Glow," this is certainly mined from the same vein and there are aspects that will feel familiar, in good and painful ways alike. I will be purchasing a copy and pestering my library/my friends to follow suit.
Thank you again for the ARC!!
The themes of isolation, media obsession, trans/queer loneliness and desire for connection and perceived self-value, all of it blended so beautifully together with the strange, surreal concept of "Public Access Afterworld" (the place) and the wide variety of complex characters. I loved Bethany to pieces, and Jules, and so many of the characters; they all have flaws and ugly sides, but they're all so achingly human, I was so invested and wanted them all to make it to the end of the "tv show" safely and happily. If you loved "I Saw the TV Glow," this is certainly mined from the same vein and there are aspects that will feel familiar, in good and painful ways alike. I will be purchasing a copy and pestering my library/my friends to follow suit.
Thank you again for the ARC!!
July 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Hogarth for the opportunity to read an ARC of Public Access Afterworld.
Wow. I’m not sure if I’ve ever devoured such a unique and captivating book in such a quick fashion, an over 600 page novel in the middle of a reading rut that virtually could not be put down. This book had a bit of everything: horror, science fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery, and at the very core, a hamster breaking speed records keeping the pages churning, turning faster and faster. Quips aside, this novel truly is one of the more unique stories I’ve ever read, and I’m a huge Haruki Murakami fan, so that’s saying something.
Hooked by the blurb about its content, expectations were pretty high, and while the quality far surpassed expectations, the blurb actually does a stellar job of breaking down the plot in one sentence. This book is about disappearances going back decades, all seemingly connected to images seen in static, a creepy enough premise and executed brilliantly. From the first chapter to the very final page, it’s a roller coaster ride of a story. The first mention of Public Access Afterworld remains lodged in the readers head, adding to the confusion and making the pages move faster just to find out the reasoning, where it links to the rest of the character arcs (of which there are many). Moving from present day back to the early - mid 20th century and back again felt a tad jarring at first, but quickly it all made sense and upped the intrigue factor.
The cast of characters are all incredibly well written to the point where, by the end of the book, the reader will have intense feelings about nearly all of them, for better or worse. The reader actually cares about the characters from page 1 to the acknowledgements, and already being roped in by the plot makes it all the harder to put down. By the end of the book, we’ve grown accustomed to these characters in our minds eye, as well as the sight and sound of static, so when I say that we’ve been hooked, line, and sinker, it’s no joke. Television static, and to a lesser extent the catalogue of video uploads available on the Internet, will never look or sound the same and by that last page, you’ll feel like you can see something in the static, hear something other than the wall of sound.
Let the blurb be the only information you get before reading this book: rather than do a brief overview of the content, I wanted to express what the book makes you feel, how it captivates and pulls you into its clutches from page 1. Every surprise hits that much harder when it’s truly a surprise.
And one more thing to say about this novel, one that makes this horror fan immensely proud: there are two scenes in here that ran my blood cold. Though the book is not strictly horror, the ramifications of the characters actions are horrific to imagine and the two scenes referenced above are of the stone cold chill up the spine style.
That this is Jane Schoenbrun’s first novel is incredible. The level of detail needed to keep the plot lines flowing with no continuity errors and tie up loose ends while not once letting her foot off the gas pedal is astonishing work and should net her some sort of end of year award for excellence. Public Access Afterworld is one of the best novels I’ve read in years, and I have no doubt I’m not the only one. 5*
Wow. I’m not sure if I’ve ever devoured such a unique and captivating book in such a quick fashion, an over 600 page novel in the middle of a reading rut that virtually could not be put down. This book had a bit of everything: horror, science fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery, and at the very core, a hamster breaking speed records keeping the pages churning, turning faster and faster. Quips aside, this novel truly is one of the more unique stories I’ve ever read, and I’m a huge Haruki Murakami fan, so that’s saying something.
Hooked by the blurb about its content, expectations were pretty high, and while the quality far surpassed expectations, the blurb actually does a stellar job of breaking down the plot in one sentence. This book is about disappearances going back decades, all seemingly connected to images seen in static, a creepy enough premise and executed brilliantly. From the first chapter to the very final page, it’s a roller coaster ride of a story. The first mention of Public Access Afterworld remains lodged in the readers head, adding to the confusion and making the pages move faster just to find out the reasoning, where it links to the rest of the character arcs (of which there are many). Moving from present day back to the early - mid 20th century and back again felt a tad jarring at first, but quickly it all made sense and upped the intrigue factor.
The cast of characters are all incredibly well written to the point where, by the end of the book, the reader will have intense feelings about nearly all of them, for better or worse. The reader actually cares about the characters from page 1 to the acknowledgements, and already being roped in by the plot makes it all the harder to put down. By the end of the book, we’ve grown accustomed to these characters in our minds eye, as well as the sight and sound of static, so when I say that we’ve been hooked, line, and sinker, it’s no joke. Television static, and to a lesser extent the catalogue of video uploads available on the Internet, will never look or sound the same and by that last page, you’ll feel like you can see something in the static, hear something other than the wall of sound.
Let the blurb be the only information you get before reading this book: rather than do a brief overview of the content, I wanted to express what the book makes you feel, how it captivates and pulls you into its clutches from page 1. Every surprise hits that much harder when it’s truly a surprise.
And one more thing to say about this novel, one that makes this horror fan immensely proud: there are two scenes in here that ran my blood cold. Though the book is not strictly horror, the ramifications of the characters actions are horrific to imagine and the two scenes referenced above are of the stone cold chill up the spine style.
That this is Jane Schoenbrun’s first novel is incredible. The level of detail needed to keep the plot lines flowing with no continuity errors and tie up loose ends while not once letting her foot off the gas pedal is astonishing work and should net her some sort of end of year award for excellence. Public Access Afterworld is one of the best novels I’ve read in years, and I have no doubt I’m not the only one. 5*
July 8, 2026
A unique and sweeping sci-fi/horror mystery adventure about a world that exists behind our screens that lures and traps people into its static depths through a phenomenon known as “screen sickness.” This is wild speculative fiction, but with protagonists that are loners, “losers” and queers (there’s plenty of trans allegory here), villains that are in tech and government, and a story that revolves around the horrors of screen time, it’s easy to find something real and something to root for. The most impressive thing about this book is how the author seamlessly connects stories from different timelines and yet allows each to have a completely unique feel to them, and one that matches their relative era of television. The 1940s chapters felt something like The Twilight Zone, the 2000s chapters reminded me of the X Files, and the 2026 chapters were like watching an extended episode of Black Mirror. It was all very cinematic (or I guess technically, televisual?), which isn’t a surprise since the author is also a filmmaker. Anyways, Jane, hi, please make this a series because I’m ready to jump into its static!
Big thanks to the author, Random House, Hogarth, and NetGalley for the arc!
May 29, 2026
Read from a NetGalley ARC
Jane Schoenbrun has done it again. After creating two incredible films(I’m sure it will be 3 when Camp Miasma releases), they’ve created an incredible novel!
It is an incredible convergence of so many of the themes evident in Schoenbrun’s films: their love of television, their identity, their feelings about online culture & Hollywood. Schoenbrun also created such great characters as well, there are many of them, and they’re each complex and interesting.
The plot, too, is very propulsive. I didn’t expect much in the way of action from Schoenbrun, but there are a few stretches of the book that are definitely great action sequences.
I will be screaming this books praises to anyone who asks, and buying a copy as soon as I can get my hands on it!
Jane Schoenbrun has done it again. After creating two incredible films(I’m sure it will be 3 when Camp Miasma releases), they’ve created an incredible novel!
It is an incredible convergence of so many of the themes evident in Schoenbrun’s films: their love of television, their identity, their feelings about online culture & Hollywood. Schoenbrun also created such great characters as well, there are many of them, and they’re each complex and interesting.
The plot, too, is very propulsive. I didn’t expect much in the way of action from Schoenbrun, but there are a few stretches of the book that are definitely great action sequences.
I will be screaming this books praises to anyone who asks, and buying a copy as soon as I can get my hands on it!
June 29, 2026
This was great; a sincere, occult, conspiracy story with great trans representation. Without diving too far into spoilers this is a story that spans multiple characters across decades & how they all interact with the titular 'Public Access Afterworld.' The world/universe/dimension that exists within the static all amongst us, particularly through television. Understanding how it all comes together within the story is a lot of fun & the exposition fits right in with the story that Schoenbrun is telling. At the end of the book, the reader has a good foundation for what the world is & how characters interact with Public Access Afterworld.
For being a first novel, this was ambitious, weird, & from what other reviews have said, a perfect representation of the types of stories that Schoenbrun has made for other mediums.
Sidenote, I would love to see how gloriously awful 'The Wolves of Birmingham' television series would look come to life. The season 1 finale 'twist' had me laugh out loud at its absurdity.
Thank you to Edelweiss & the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For being a first novel, this was ambitious, weird, & from what other reviews have said, a perfect representation of the types of stories that Schoenbrun has made for other mediums.
Sidenote, I would love to see how gloriously awful 'The Wolves of Birmingham' television series would look come to life. The season 1 finale 'twist' had me laugh out loud at its absurdity.
Thank you to Edelweiss & the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
May 13, 2026I got an email inviting me to read this on Netgalley and then found out it's by the person who did I See the TV Glow?? um yes sign me up
May 15, 2026
Was lucky enough to get my hands on a ARC copy of this from a pal at a bookstore who was generous enough not to take it for himself.
Very strong debut from Schoenbrun. Elements of her earlier work mixed in with the Matrix / Videodrome. It’s looking to be a big year for her and I’m not surprised in the least.
Very strong debut from Schoenbrun. Elements of her earlier work mixed in with the Matrix / Videodrome. It’s looking to be a big year for her and I’m not surprised in the least.
May 23, 2026
This was completely insane yet incredibly engaging and addictive
June 29, 2026
Perhaps my new favorite book of all time. Jane Schoenbrun weaved an intricate web, each thread a through line of vivid characters and plot. One thread after another until they created the most compelling, beautiful, and heart-wrenching.
I mean this with my whole chest “READ THIS BOOK”
I mean this with my whole chest “READ THIS BOOK”
June 21, 2026
more thoughts later but i feel like i just got hit by a train
June 17, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Holy smokes, that was a fun ride.
I love both of Schoenbrun’s films so my expectations for this book were high, and thankfully they were met. So many storylines and characters come together in such an interesting way. For the first half of the book especially, I found it hard to take a break from reading. Also - I would die for Bethany Peters <3
Very excited to see what Jane Schoenbrun’s beautiful brain comes up with next.
Holy smokes, that was a fun ride.
I love both of Schoenbrun’s films so my expectations for this book were high, and thankfully they were met. So many storylines and characters come together in such an interesting way. For the first half of the book especially, I found it hard to take a break from reading. Also - I would die for Bethany Peters <3
Very excited to see what Jane Schoenbrun’s beautiful brain comes up with next.
Want to Read
May 15, 2026Thanks to Hogarth for offering me this ARC through NetGalley! Public Access Afterworld by Jane Schoenbrun comes out on October 27, 2026.
May 30, 2026
Review courtesy of an ARC provided by NetGalley
Anyone else, like, REALLY wish they could watch the Chimotera franchise?
My very first brush with Jane Schoenbrun’s particularly nauseating, trancelike brand of storytelling left me slack-jawed and silent sobbing in a movie theater in the summer of 2024. I Saw the TV Glow more times than I can feasibly recall, and then I brought everyone I know back to the scene of the crime to make them watch it with me.
I remember first seeing the trailer, set to a cover of a song that I had once upon a time beaten to death in my angst-ridden teenage bedroom. I played it at parties I had no business attending. I shared it with people I thought I’d be in love with for lifetimes to come and beyond. 10+ years later, I’d all but forgotten it existed until this director I had never heard of used it to rip open a fizzing, primordial fissure in the hollow of my chest.
In many ways, it feels like Schoenbrun reached directly into my cosmic mind sludge and plucked that song out herself JUST to freak me out. I realize now that this is simply the kind of narrative power they wield, and there is nothing else remotely like it on the planet.
Public Access Afterworld is a breathtaking novel debut. It does a fantastic job of setting up the nostalgic, neon-haloed atmosphere fans familiar with Schoenbrun’s work will expect. The menacing fever-dream silhouette of Captain Video, the ethereal video store that appears only to the ‘crooked’ few destined to cross its threshold, really managed to unnerve and allure me in equal measure.
Beware: she’s a hefty tome at around 600 pages, and there are unfortunately some slow segments around the halfway point that drag on a bit longer than necessary. It was interesting (and ironic) to learn from other reviews that this was originally intended to be a TV series - I can see how these chapters may have served a larger narrative purpose in that format.
tl;dr: This one is weird. It’s unkind to the reader at times, and it’s quite a bit to chew on metaphorically, with an ending some will find unsatisfying. Personally, I think it works overall. I cannot wait to see what else Jane gives us in the future. See you at Camp Miasma! ;)
(Special thanks to NetGalley and Hogarth for my review copy - it truly means the world.)
Anyone else, like, REALLY wish they could watch the Chimotera franchise?
My very first brush with Jane Schoenbrun’s particularly nauseating, trancelike brand of storytelling left me slack-jawed and silent sobbing in a movie theater in the summer of 2024. I Saw the TV Glow more times than I can feasibly recall, and then I brought everyone I know back to the scene of the crime to make them watch it with me.
I remember first seeing the trailer, set to a cover of a song that I had once upon a time beaten to death in my angst-ridden teenage bedroom. I played it at parties I had no business attending. I shared it with people I thought I’d be in love with for lifetimes to come and beyond. 10+ years later, I’d all but forgotten it existed until this director I had never heard of used it to rip open a fizzing, primordial fissure in the hollow of my chest.
In many ways, it feels like Schoenbrun reached directly into my cosmic mind sludge and plucked that song out herself JUST to freak me out. I realize now that this is simply the kind of narrative power they wield, and there is nothing else remotely like it on the planet.
Public Access Afterworld is a breathtaking novel debut. It does a fantastic job of setting up the nostalgic, neon-haloed atmosphere fans familiar with Schoenbrun’s work will expect. The menacing fever-dream silhouette of Captain Video, the ethereal video store that appears only to the ‘crooked’ few destined to cross its threshold, really managed to unnerve and allure me in equal measure.
Beware: she’s a hefty tome at around 600 pages, and there are unfortunately some slow segments around the halfway point that drag on a bit longer than necessary. It was interesting (and ironic) to learn from other reviews that this was originally intended to be a TV series - I can see how these chapters may have served a larger narrative purpose in that format.
tl;dr: This one is weird. It’s unkind to the reader at times, and it’s quite a bit to chew on metaphorically, with an ending some will find unsatisfying. Personally, I think it works overall. I cannot wait to see what else Jane gives us in the future. See you at Camp Miasma! ;)
(Special thanks to NetGalley and Hogarth for my review copy - it truly means the world.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Public Access Afterworld | Jane Schoenbrun
Jane Schoenbrun's “Public Access Afterworld” is one of the most ambitious, emotionally devastating, and genuinely original books I have ever read. Long after I finished the last page, I found myself struggling to return to the real world, replaying scenes, themes, and characters in my mind and trying to articulate exactly why this novel affected me so deeply. Even now, putting my feelings into neat, coherent words feels almost impossible.
At its core, Public Access Afterworld is a story about loneliness, identity, media obsession, connection, and the desperate human desire to be seen. Beginning with a shocking live television tragedy in 1988, the novel unfolds across decades and perspectives, following a cast of characters whose lives become entangled with the mysterious phenomenon known as Public Access Afterworld. From lonely teenagers witnessing strange broadcasts during the analog-to-digital television transition to Bethany Peters, a trans content moderator navigating the psychological toll of reviewing humanity's darkest corners online, each storyline contributes to a larger narrative that is as haunting as it is profoundly human.
But when you take a closer look, this is a book about transmission. About what gets through. About what we do with what gets through us.
The narrative is nonlinear, fragmented, and constantly shifting perspectives, with unreliable narrators everywhere; but the brilliance is that you stop being sure whether the story is destabilizing itself or whether you are the one being asked to recalibrate how you read it. I found myself wondering whether the narrators were truly unreliable or whether the novel was challenging me to reconsider my own assumptions as a reader. Perhaps Public Access Afterworld exists in a liminal space all its own, one where the story only fully reveals itself when readers are willing to meet it halfway.
What impressed me most was Schoenbrun's ability to balance so many themes without ever losing control of the narrative. This is simultaneously a work of speculative fiction, horror, conspiracy mystery, queer fiction, and social commentary. It explores the isolating effects of technology, the human cost of content moderation, the complexities of gender identity, and the ways media can shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Despite the breadth of these ideas, the novel never feels overcrowded. Instead, every thread contributes to a larger emotional tapestry.
There is so much I loved about this novel, and much of it centers on the women who drive its emotional core. Bethany Peters is one of the most memorable protagonists I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, and her journey anchors much of the novel's emotional weight. My heart pounded, ached, and broke for Bethany, for Jane, for Willa, and even for Jules at times. Schoenbrun writes with tremendous empathy and insight, creating characters whose pain, resilience, and hope linger long after the story ends. Bethany, in particular, has earned a permanent place among my favorite fictional characters. If you happen to see a plane flying overhead with a banner reading BETHANY PETERS IS MY PERSONAL HERO, please know that I spent my money wisely.
What makes Public Access Afterworld truly special, however, is its emotional impact. This book short-circuited my brain in the most deliciously healing way. I have never read anything quite like it, and I honestly do not know if anything will ever eclipse it in terms of the sheer kaleidoscope of emotions and experiences it evokes. It filled me with dread and hope, heartbreak and wonder, rage and tenderness (sometimes all within the same chapter).
For that reason, my strongest recommendation is to go into this book with as few preconceived notions as possible. Avoid spoilers. Resist the urge to seek explanations because they will not serve you here. Let the story find you on its own terms. The experience of discovering its mysteries, themes, and emotional truths is part of what makes it so extraordinary.
Tropes of course
🌈 Queer and trans identity exploration
📼 Media obsession and cursed media aesthetics
🖥️ Corporate dystopia
🎬 Cinematic storytelling
👁️ Unreliable narrators
🌀 Reality-bending narratives
💔 Loneliness and the search for connection
🔍 Conspiracy mysteries
🎭 Multiple timelines and perspectives
🖤 Existential horror
Jane Schoenbrun has delivered an awe-inspiring debut novel that feels unlike anything else currently being published. Whether you're a fan of speculative fiction, analogue horror, queer narratives, or stories that refuse to fit neatly into a single genre, this is a book that deserves your attention.
Public Access Afterworld releases on October 27th (which also happens to be my birthday). This coincidence feels more like a shared coordinate. A thin place in the calendar where signals overlap. A day where something is trying to come through. If that’s the case, then this isn’t a coincidence at all...it’s an invitation.
Pick up a copy. Tune into the frequency. And whatever you do, find the receiver and make it real.
Thank you to Random House/Hogarth, NetGalley and the exquisite Jane Schoenbrun for the opportunity to read and relish this book.
Jane Schoenbrun's “Public Access Afterworld” is one of the most ambitious, emotionally devastating, and genuinely original books I have ever read. Long after I finished the last page, I found myself struggling to return to the real world, replaying scenes, themes, and characters in my mind and trying to articulate exactly why this novel affected me so deeply. Even now, putting my feelings into neat, coherent words feels almost impossible.
At its core, Public Access Afterworld is a story about loneliness, identity, media obsession, connection, and the desperate human desire to be seen. Beginning with a shocking live television tragedy in 1988, the novel unfolds across decades and perspectives, following a cast of characters whose lives become entangled with the mysterious phenomenon known as Public Access Afterworld. From lonely teenagers witnessing strange broadcasts during the analog-to-digital television transition to Bethany Peters, a trans content moderator navigating the psychological toll of reviewing humanity's darkest corners online, each storyline contributes to a larger narrative that is as haunting as it is profoundly human.
But when you take a closer look, this is a book about transmission. About what gets through. About what we do with what gets through us.
The narrative is nonlinear, fragmented, and constantly shifting perspectives, with unreliable narrators everywhere; but the brilliance is that you stop being sure whether the story is destabilizing itself or whether you are the one being asked to recalibrate how you read it. I found myself wondering whether the narrators were truly unreliable or whether the novel was challenging me to reconsider my own assumptions as a reader. Perhaps Public Access Afterworld exists in a liminal space all its own, one where the story only fully reveals itself when readers are willing to meet it halfway.
What impressed me most was Schoenbrun's ability to balance so many themes without ever losing control of the narrative. This is simultaneously a work of speculative fiction, horror, conspiracy mystery, queer fiction, and social commentary. It explores the isolating effects of technology, the human cost of content moderation, the complexities of gender identity, and the ways media can shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Despite the breadth of these ideas, the novel never feels overcrowded. Instead, every thread contributes to a larger emotional tapestry.
There is so much I loved about this novel, and much of it centers on the women who drive its emotional core. Bethany Peters is one of the most memorable protagonists I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, and her journey anchors much of the novel's emotional weight. My heart pounded, ached, and broke for Bethany, for Jane, for Willa, and even for Jules at times. Schoenbrun writes with tremendous empathy and insight, creating characters whose pain, resilience, and hope linger long after the story ends. Bethany, in particular, has earned a permanent place among my favorite fictional characters. If you happen to see a plane flying overhead with a banner reading BETHANY PETERS IS MY PERSONAL HERO, please know that I spent my money wisely.
What makes Public Access Afterworld truly special, however, is its emotional impact. This book short-circuited my brain in the most deliciously healing way. I have never read anything quite like it, and I honestly do not know if anything will ever eclipse it in terms of the sheer kaleidoscope of emotions and experiences it evokes. It filled me with dread and hope, heartbreak and wonder, rage and tenderness (sometimes all within the same chapter).
For that reason, my strongest recommendation is to go into this book with as few preconceived notions as possible. Avoid spoilers. Resist the urge to seek explanations because they will not serve you here. Let the story find you on its own terms. The experience of discovering its mysteries, themes, and emotional truths is part of what makes it so extraordinary.
Tropes of course
🌈 Queer and trans identity exploration
📼 Media obsession and cursed media aesthetics
🖥️ Corporate dystopia
🎬 Cinematic storytelling
👁️ Unreliable narrators
🌀 Reality-bending narratives
💔 Loneliness and the search for connection
🔍 Conspiracy mysteries
🎭 Multiple timelines and perspectives
🖤 Existential horror
Jane Schoenbrun has delivered an awe-inspiring debut novel that feels unlike anything else currently being published. Whether you're a fan of speculative fiction, analogue horror, queer narratives, or stories that refuse to fit neatly into a single genre, this is a book that deserves your attention.
Public Access Afterworld releases on October 27th (which also happens to be my birthday). This coincidence feels more like a shared coordinate. A thin place in the calendar where signals overlap. A day where something is trying to come through. If that’s the case, then this isn’t a coincidence at all...it’s an invitation.
Pick up a copy. Tune into the frequency. And whatever you do, find the receiver and make it real.
Thank you to Random House/Hogarth, NetGalley and the exquisite Jane Schoenbrun for the opportunity to read and relish this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews