NEW YORK — John Irving is revisiting the familiar setting of St. Cloud’s, Maine, along with the renowned orphanage featured in his beloved novel, “The Cider House Rules,” in his upcoming release. The author’s next work, titled “Queen Esther,” is scheduled for publication on November 4, as confirmed by Simon & Schuster on Thursday. This novel will reintroduce fans to Dr. Wilbur Larch, a character from “The Cider House Rules,” but will primarily revolve around a new ensemble of characters.

“Queen Esther” narrates the journey of Esther Nacht, a Jewish girl born in Vienna in 1905. The story chronicles her tumultuous life after being abandoned at the young age of four, ultimately leading her to be adopted by a New England family as a teenager. Simon & Schuster revealed that the plot will unfold over much of the 20th century, culminating in Jerusalem in 1981.

Irving remarked about his novel’s timing, noting that its creation began long before the events of October 7 and the ensuing turmoil in Israel. He reflected, “In hindsight, it’s easy to see that what I witnessed in Israel during the early 1980s can be viewed as an early indicator of the developments we see today, but this illustrates the essence of historical fiction.”

At the age of 82, Irving maintains a stellar reputation, previously recognized for notable works such as “The Hotel New Hampshire,” “The World According to Garp,” and “A Prayer for Owen Meany.” His landmark publication, “The Cider House Rules,” debuted in 1985, leading to an Oscar win for the screenplay adapted from the novel in 1999, with Michael Caine receiving a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Dr. Larch.

Jonathan Karp, the CEO of Simon & Schuster and Irving’s editor, emphasized the unique experience of reading Irving’s stories. He stated, “One of the greatest joys of engaging with John Irving’s writing is following the unexpected twists alongside his characters. I won’t divulge any plot specifics, except to say this: in ‘Queen Esther,’ John Irving takes readers to uncharted territories like never before.”

Karp further praised Irving’s ongoing creative evolution, noting, “The fact that John continues to push artistic boundaries in his eighties—with such bold and skillfully crafted storytelling—solidifies his status as one of the greatest authors of our time.”