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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
This book has an interesting structure that begins with Theo Faron’s diary entries in a dystopian England just in the future and then moves into a third-person narration. The narrative brings in surprising twists at various intervals, along with some aspects of culture in the infertile world where the characters live. Some of these, like the Painted Faces, aren’t explained, but are thrust upon the reader suddenly, in seemingly senseless episodes that contribute to the book’s overall sense of dislocation—yet James still tells a story that hangs together and winds up being more about characters than events. The one spot where I was really unsatisfied with the lack of explanation was that Theo had been fertile—his young child was dead—yet I don’t think this fact is referenced later at all, unless I missed something (I read much of the book on airplanes).
I haven’t seen the movie, but it seems it’s quite different from the book ... another intriguing concept.
I haven’t seen the movie, but it seems it’s quite different from the book ... another intriguing concept.
Yikes, this was a slow book to read. I was feeling two stars until Chapter 21 or 22. Instead I will be generous with three stars. The dystopian dilemma is pretty interesting, but the main character and details about him are so freaking boring. I also hated that the POV kept changing with the diary entries.
A departure from her detective novels featuring Adam Dalgleish, this is a dystopian novel. It was published in 1992 when 2021, the period in which the action takes place was well in the future. This makes it a little eerie to be reading it for the first time in 2022, when it is clearly in the past. We can only be thankful that the defining event: no children born anywhere in the world for the last thirty years, has not taken place. The situation that unfolds is eminently believable, bolstered by James' impeccable prose style and strong characters. The lack of young people leads to abandonment of remoter areas and the establishment of an apparently benevolent dictatorship, but there is definitely a feel of 'big brother' overseeing every move. There are ominous events too, such as the Quietus, intended to be a voluntary mass suicide of the willing elderly but, as Theo puts it when meeting the governing Council: "Half of the suicides looked drugged and those who did know what was happening did not go willingly. I saw women dragged on to the boat and shackled. One was clubbed to death on the beach. Are we culling our old people now like unwanted animals?"
Theo is the protagonist, an Oxford history don, cousin of the dictator Xan, to whom he has privileged access. This helps to explain his involvement with a group of rebels, a motley group united in the desire to change processes such as the Quietuses and the barbaric penal settlement on the Isle of Man. Theo's intercession with the governing Council is unsuccessful but leads to his deepening involvement with the rebel group and an absorbing build-up of tension as they flee from the authorities.
The ending, which I am not going to reveal, provides some grounds for hope but also raises more questions about how things will develop. I note that James never did write a sequel, it was probably a little too difficult even for someone of her awesome talents.
Theo is the protagonist, an Oxford history don, cousin of the dictator Xan, to whom he has privileged access. This helps to explain his involvement with a group of rebels, a motley group united in the desire to change processes such as the Quietuses and the barbaric penal settlement on the Isle of Man. Theo's intercession with the governing Council is unsuccessful but leads to his deepening involvement with the rebel group and an absorbing build-up of tension as they flee from the authorities.
The ending, which I am not going to reveal, provides some grounds for hope but also raises more questions about how things will develop. I note that James never did write a sequel, it was probably a little too difficult even for someone of her awesome talents.
I enjoyed this far more then I thought I would. Having seen the movie years ago, but wanting to try out P.D. James I picked this up. I feel like the story kind of ignored one huge aspect that I won't mention here... But overall it was more engaging then I expected.
Never have I cared less for the fate of humanity
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First 200 pages were very slow and a little dull, last 130 pages were so good.
More philosophizing than plot. I got a little tired of the brooding. The premise was interesting enough to keep me going, however.
slow-paced
The concept is really interesting the execution of it however makes it a bit dull.
Its a gripping plot but the the archaic language that the main character uses just makes the book feel so slow and makes it hard to engage.
The ending howevet is fantastic i wish there had been more action and plot going throughout the whole book otherwise it wouldve been a 5.
Its a gripping plot but the the archaic language that the main character uses just makes the book feel so slow and makes it hard to engage.
The ending howevet is fantastic i wish there had been more action and plot going throughout the whole book otherwise it wouldve been a 5.