The Unraveling

“A wildly inventive, funny, and ultimately quite heartfelt novel, The Unraveling is a chaotic romp of gender deconstruction packaged up in a groovy science-fictional coming-of-age tale.” —Chicago Review of Books

Otherwise Award Honor List | Longlist, British Science Fiction Award | Locus Recommended Reading List for 2021 

So much can be controlled in the future…but not a person’s heart.

In the far-off future, Fift is a Staid-gendered youth just trying to figure out life in the bustling but rigid social system of Fullbelly. And, as if mastering zir three bodies and satisfying zir twelve parents weren’t enough to handle, Fift’s taboo relationship with Vail-gendered Shria is a controversy waiting to happen.  

When Fift and Shria wind up at the center of a scandal that sparks a multilayered Unraveling of society, Fift is torn between the safety of zir family and zir attraction to Shria, between social compliance and staying true to zir feelings . . . all while zir personal crises suddenly take on global significance. What’s a young Staid to do when the whole world is watching?

Benjamin Rosenbaum brings warmth and humor to this thoughtful coming-of-age story, asking who utopias are meant for—and what can change when everyone has a voice. In a world vastly different from our own, The Unraveling is bright with possibility, joining the ranks of innovative science fiction that challenges gender, society, and culture with an expansive and creative vision of what the future can be.

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