The Book of Air

The cover of 'The Book of Air'

Infected with an airborne virus with a uniquely unsettling symptom, property developer Jason escapes London for his country estate, where he is cared for by two young women who are squatting in his house. When more survivors arrive seeking sanctuary, tensions increase. With the established order under threat, events begin to spiral out of control.

Far in the future, an isolated community of descendants continue to farm this same estate. Among their most treasured possessions are a few books, including a copy of Jane Eyre, from which they have constructed their hierarchies, rituals and beliefs. When 15-year-old Agnes begins to record the events of her life, she has no idea what consequences will follow. Locked away for her transgressions, she escapes to the urban ruins and a kind of freedom, but must decide where her future lies.

​These two stories interweave, illuminating each other in unexpected ways and offering long vistas of loss, regeneration and wonder.


An inventive, thought-provoking and beautifully crafted story that stays with the reader long after the final page

Kirsty Wark

Here’s a 3-minute trailer with readings and interviews.
With thanks to actor Zimmy Ryan and filmmaker Shelly Nel.


What the bloggers are saying:

The Book of Air is a compelling, character driven tale of survival in a post-apocalyptic future. Beautifully paced, it weaves between Jason’s life in a society imploding in on itself when a deadly virus kills millions and Agnes’s in a community regenerating from the ruins.
Books Are My Cwtches
The plotting is brilliantly done, unravelling multiple interconnecting narratives. The two strands of the tale shed light on each other, creating a whole that is far bigger than its parts. The characters are intriguing…. Joe Treasure has created an extraordinary piece of work, beautifully crafted and full of gems.
Druid Life
This story is so clever and original that I started recommending it to friends 3% into it! Simply put, The Book of Air is original, compelling and hopeful. A must-read for all dystopian fans.
I’d so rather be reading
The Book of Air is written wonderfully, composed like a musical composition… This would be a fabulous book for a book group!
Utopia-State-of-Mind
A testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Lizzy’s Literary Life
A gripping dystopian fantasy… Treasure writes with fluency and pace and his characters are flawed and believable.
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