Tilt by Emma Pattee is a gripping and emotionally charged debut novel that blends literary fiction, survival drama, and personal transformation into a powerful one-day journey through disaster and self-discovery. When a devastating earthquake strikes Portland, Oregon, Annie—nine months pregnant and shopping alone—finds herself stranded in a city reduced to chaos. With no phone, no money, and no way to reach her husband, her only option is to walk across the fractured landscape to get home.
As Annie navigates collapsing infrastructure, panicked crowds, and uncertain streets, she encounters both the worst and best of humanity—looting and fear alongside unexpected compassion. Along the way, she forms a fragile bond with another young mother, reminding her that connection can survive even in crisis. Each step through the broken city forces Annie to confront the emotional weight she’s been carrying: doubts about her marriage, frustration over her stalled career, and deep fears about becoming a mother. Survival becomes more than physical—it’s about deciding who she wants to be when she reaches the other side.
Tense, intimate, and deeply human, Tilt explores resilience, motherhood, identity, and hope in the face of disaster. Perfect for readers who love character-driven literary fiction, survival stories, women’s fiction, and emotionally reflective novels, this is a story about finding strength when everything familiar falls apart.
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