The Poppy Fields: A Novel

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Measure—the million-copy bestseller and a Read with Jenna TODAY Show pick—comes a stunning speculative story of healing, self-discovery, forgiveness, and found friendship.

"A masterful, tender exploration of love, loss, and the poignant echoes of memory... A profoundly moving read." —Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

What if there were a cure for the broken-hearted?

Welcome to the Poppy Fields, where there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal.

Here, in a remote stretch of the California desert, lies an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those suffering from the heartache of loss to sleep through their pain...and keep on sleeping. After patients awaken from this prolonged state of slumber, they will finally be healed in this emotional book club read. But only if they’re willing to accept the potential shadowy side effects.

On a journey to this mystical destination are four very different strangers and one little dog: Ava, a book illustrator; Ray, a fireman; Sasha, an occupational therapist; Sky, a free spirit; and a friendly pup named PJ. As they attempt to make their way from the Midwest all the way west to the Poppy Fields—where they hope to find Ellis, its brilliant, enigmatic founder—each of their past secrets and mysterious motivations threaten to derail their literary fiction voyage.

A high-concept speculative novel about heartache, hope, and human resilience, The Poppy Fields—a story about what it means to be alive—explores the path of grief and healing, a journey at once profoundly universal and unique to every person, posing the questions: How do we heal in the wake of great loss? And how far are we willing to go in order to be healed?

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Published Jun 17, 2025

324 pages

Average rating: 6.68

268 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *The Poppy Fields* by Nikki Erlick offers a thoughtful exploration of grief, healing, and human connection, praised for its emotional dept...

CeLynasings
Apr 29, 2026
10/10 stars
Grief is not easy and isn’t just about losing a person you love. Grief can be towards any loss you have. This book thoroughly examines what grief does from many different perspectives and how others view us when we grieve. This book is a perfect balance between emotional pain and how we all can move through it.
AarthiReads
Mar 26, 2026
A good read about four people going to The Poppy Fields while looking back on their lives, healing together.
Whitpg07
Mar 19, 2026
8/10 stars
I wanted a little more from the characters after their visit to the Poppy Fields, but that was the only ding from a 5⭐️
Chofiti
Jan 22, 2026
4/10 stars
I might preferred the first novel at by the author. This book felt a little repetitive, and like it had enough content for a short story not so much for full length book.
Magistra1031!
Jan 19, 2026
9/10 stars
The Poppy Fields has wonderful character development and explores grief on many levels. The author ties subplots together successfully at pivotal points. The subtle references to The Wizard of Oz are intriguing and surprising at times.

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