Keanu Reeves, long celebrated for his role as one of Hollywood’s nicest stars, has ventured into the literary world with his latest project, The Book of Elsewhere. Teaming up with acclaimed British author China Miéville, known for his distinctive brand of “weird fiction,” Reeves has turned a unique concept into a novel.
What is The Book of Elsewhere About?
The Book of Elsewhere follows the story of Unute, or B, an immortal warrior who has grown weary of his endless existence. Set within the universe of Reeves’ comic book series BRZRKR, which Netflix is adapting into both a film and an animated series, the novel explores themes of immortality, existential weariness, and self-discovery.
Keanu Reeves initially envisioned this concept as a potential comic book or film but decided to transform it into a novel, collaborating with Miéville to bring his ideas to life. Miéville, initially surprised by Reeves’ proposal, embraced the challenge and crafted the narrative around the character’s unique and introspective journey.
Reeves and Miéville first met in Berlin in 2021, sparking a creative partnership. Reeves, a fan of Miéville’s work, presented his vision and then entrusted Miéville with the task of writing the novel. While Reeves provided input and suggestions, he left the writing process to Miéville, preferring to allow another creator to shape the story.
Reeves was drawn to the idea of writing a novel as a different form of storytelling. He noted that the process of creating The Book of Elsewhere revealed personal reflections and connections, particularly through the character of Unute. Reeves suggested that writing the novel allowed him to explore themes of love, life, grief, and death, and to uncover aspects of himself in the process.
The Book of Elsewhere is described as more than a sci-fi or fantasy novel; it’s a story with emotional depth that aims to resonate with readers on a personal level. Reeves hopes the novel will offer readers a chance to connect with its themes and characters in a meaningful way, blending fantastical elements with real-life reflections on existence.
The collaboration between Reeves and Miéville reflects a fusion of their creative talents, resulting in a novel that promises to offer a fresh and introspective take on genre storytelling.
