Morning Child

The luminous new novel from the author of The Margot Affair, about the secrets and shifting boundaries of a friendship between two women, worlds apart, at a tumultuous time in history

The Argentine Embassy, Tokyo, 1983. When Asa, a Japanese translator, finds herself seated next to Maricel, a charismatic Argentine woman, at a dinner, she is not expecting to meet the person who will change the course of her life. They form an immediate bond and Maricel invites Asa to visit her in Buenos Aires, where she lives with her teenage daughter.

Asa arrives in Argentina as the country emerges from a violent authoritarian regime. She embeds herself in Maricel’s world—deepening their connection and uncovering secrets about her past. Maricel’s husband, Edu, was disappeared during the military dictatorship in 1976, and she herself was imprisoned until 1982. For Asa, Maricel’s struggles seem so much greater than her own, and yet she seems so much stronger for them. As she grows closer to Maricel, Asa increasingly longs for a life other than her own.

Morning Child is a luminous exploration of the transformative power of friendship in a world of vanishings, and the search to shape a life amid tumultuous times. Charting Asa’s journey—a woman caught between cultures, far from one’s own country, and between languages and identities—as she strives to find her own defining moment, it is a moving testament to the stories we tell about ourselves and how they keep and sustain us.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs