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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
I have been meaning to watch this movie for literally nine years and so instead I decided to read the book. Fascinating premise, had me on the edge of my seat. However, I eye roll at the romance that happens in this book — I’m skeptical of it and of some of the female characters’ portrayals. Oh well. You take what you can get.
Though the premise of the book was interesting and it came with recommendations, I was disappointed.
Theo was not only unlikable, he was uninteresting. One would think that with all the rough patches he'd had, he would at least be sympathetic but his constant reminders that he didn't want to love/be depended on (read: share any parts of himself), even with his (now-ex) wife or family members made him if possible, more unlikable. He didn't muster any sort of emotion except a sort of irritated disinterest.
Julian was supposed to be a bright, vivid character, I assume a foil to Theo, but she was never properly fleshed out. She existed solely as an object for Theo to grow attached to and then as an object to provide hope rather than a person. He claims to have fallen in love with her but he doesn't know her and seems to claim a possessiveness rather than an actual affection.
The world is well built but the story is slow-paced, often dragging. None of the characters, especially the females, had any agency and the whole story felt like it was just occurring in their presence rather than being molded or changed by the characters and their actions. Julian's husband was written unlikably and seemed to exist so Theo would have someone to butt heads with over a woman.
The end was ultimately unsatisfying. Yes, Theo killed the Minister and took power but how was he in his apathy any better than his cousin? His supposed love for Julian and desire to protect her child again seemed flimsy--he promised they would never be parted when only weeks before he had scoffed at sharing an entire house with one person whom with he was friendly. Sorry, just not impressed.
Theo was not only unlikable, he was uninteresting. One would think that with all the rough patches he'd had, he would at least be sympathetic but his constant reminders that he didn't want to love/be depended on (read: share any parts of himself), even with his (now-ex) wife or family members made him if possible, more unlikable. He didn't muster any sort of emotion except a sort of irritated disinterest.
Julian was supposed to be a bright, vivid character, I assume a foil to Theo, but she was never properly fleshed out. She existed solely as an object for Theo to grow attached to and then as an object to provide hope rather than a person. He claims to have fallen in love with her but he doesn't know her and seems to claim a possessiveness rather than an actual affection.
The world is well built but the story is slow-paced, often dragging. None of the characters, especially the females, had any agency and the whole story felt like it was just occurring in their presence rather than being molded or changed by the characters and their actions. Julian's husband was written unlikably and seemed to exist so Theo would have someone to butt heads with over a woman.
The end was ultimately unsatisfying. Yes, Theo killed the Minister and took power but how was he in his apathy any better than his cousin? His supposed love for Julian and desire to protect her child again seemed flimsy--he promised they would never be parted when only weeks before he had scoffed at sharing an entire house with one person whom with he was friendly. Sorry, just not impressed.
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the movie was better. the ways that the film dealt with race and class on top of everything else raised it above the book. however, the book wins points for original concept and for making theo such a bastard. however - way too much jesus.
Eh. The main character was unlikable (fine) and boring (not). The other characters weren't compelling. I can deal with uncompelling or unlikable characters if the setting and/or themes are explored in an interesting way, but this was just...eh.
Premise: Very interesting
Execution: Eh
Premise: Very interesting
Execution: Eh
Audio was a bad choice. This narrator's detached drawl may have been perfect for the protagonist, but it was maddening to listen to, and his women's voices were so weak and trivial as to make the women hateful.
I don't usually dislike James' characters, but I think these are exactly as miserable as they're supposed to be.
I don't usually dislike James' characters, but I think these are exactly as miserable as they're supposed to be.
I read this book some years ago, and found myself surprised—though I'm not sure why, anyone not born yesterday could have seen it coming—by the messianic overtones of this book. I'd seen the film first, and expected that because it was making contemporary statements about global politics, the book might be similarly critical. But no. This is a story about how (white) humanity has stopped having children because of our wayward ammorality. A punishment from on high that is finally resolved through the miraculous birth of the first child in a generation. A deeply conservative tale, it was not helped by stale writing. I'm glad it exists to have inspired an enjoyable film, but if it's the film you're hoping to find in this book, look elsewhere.
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
All the men on earth become infertile. Twenty years later, a baby is born.
I disliked this. It lacks logic in general, but it's particularly trying right now to read a vehement dystopia about how mankind became so liberal that God took away all the babies.
Gays are dictators who will destroy everything. There are euthanasia squads. The last children to be born are entitled terrorists, nay, soulless murderers. There are too many porn shops. Immigrants are welcomed, then forcibly banished at age sixty, so the social safety net doesn't need to care for them. There is no such thing as a jury, and the state runs everything.
The main character is a scumbag among scumbags, until he has proof of the miracle. Then, suddenly, he is redeemed. Everything is carefully arranged to "prove" that God exists. But, surprise, it's only the author in the end.
I get that there's a long and interesting tradition of Christian fiction. I have read and enjoyed much of it. But this is a screed about how God will punish everyone that the author doesn't like, not an honest self-interrogation in the best traditions of Lewis or Chesterton.
I like PD James's mysteries. But this wasn't up to the same standard. Skimmed.
Do not recommend.
I disliked this. It lacks logic in general, but it's particularly trying right now to read a vehement dystopia about how mankind became so liberal that God took away all the babies.
Gays are dictators who will destroy everything. There are euthanasia squads. The last children to be born are entitled terrorists, nay, soulless murderers. There are too many porn shops. Immigrants are welcomed, then forcibly banished at age sixty, so the social safety net doesn't need to care for them. There is no such thing as a jury, and the state runs everything.
The main character is a scumbag among scumbags, until he has proof of the miracle. Then, suddenly, he is redeemed. Everything is carefully arranged to "prove" that God exists. But, surprise, it's only the author in the end.
I get that there's a long and interesting tradition of Christian fiction. I have read and enjoyed much of it. But this is a screed about how God will punish everyone that the author doesn't like, not an honest self-interrogation in the best traditions of Lewis or Chesterton.
I like PD James's mysteries. But this wasn't up to the same standard. Skimmed.
Do not recommend.