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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
This is the first I have read of this author and I enjoyed it immensely. I have seen the movie, but it was years ago so luckily my memory has faded and I was able to read this without that interference. She is a gifted writer and I will definitely be seeking out more of her work.
P. D. James’ prose is fine, sharp, and careful, in this exciting dystopian novel. It was first published in 1992, and is set in the year 2021, in England. There's a dictatorship, with Xan Lyppiatt, the Warden of England, having absolute power, and the narrator, Theo, is his cousin.
In this world, no children have been born for 25 years, and so the human race is inexorably dying out. The Warden has instituted a number of draconian measures to insure peace and safety in England, despite the growing universal sense that life no longer has meaning.
Theo is a history professor in his 50s, living a quiet life in Oxford, teaching mostly older people. He is approached by Julian, a former student, and meets reluctantly with a revolutionary group, the Five Fishes, a vaguely religious bunch who is seeking to redress some of the social injustices in England and to restore democracy. Theo is cynical and can’t believe that they have any hope of wresting power from Xan.
But he is drawn to Julian, and against his own better judgment, he becomes immersed in the group. After one of their members is arrested for sabotage, they are on the run, and he joins them. And then he finds out something that stuns him: Julian is pregnant.
Although the writing continues to be elegant and measured, the novel begins to move more quickly. The main complaint I have is that Theo sheds his cynicism too quickly. In general, though, the plot is masterful, and the ending excellent. It’s definitely worth reading.
In this world, no children have been born for 25 years, and so the human race is inexorably dying out. The Warden has instituted a number of draconian measures to insure peace and safety in England, despite the growing universal sense that life no longer has meaning.
Theo is a history professor in his 50s, living a quiet life in Oxford, teaching mostly older people. He is approached by Julian, a former student, and meets reluctantly with a revolutionary group, the Five Fishes, a vaguely religious bunch who is seeking to redress some of the social injustices in England and to restore democracy. Theo is cynical and can’t believe that they have any hope of wresting power from Xan.
But he is drawn to Julian, and against his own better judgment, he becomes immersed in the group. After one of their members is arrested for sabotage, they are on the run, and he joins them. And then he finds out something that stuns him: Julian is pregnant.
Although the writing continues to be elegant and measured, the novel begins to move more quickly. The main complaint I have is that Theo sheds his cynicism too quickly. In general, though, the plot is masterful, and the ending excellent. It’s definitely worth reading.
I loved the initial description of the world and the global depression that affects humanity after there are no more children BUT the actual plot and main character were boring and annoying
Interesting book and one in which the dystopian society actually finds some sense of hope. The book is somewhat similar to the movie but the ending is completely different. The characters are likable, believable, and for a dystopia type setting you get a real sense that something like this could actually occur. One of the better dystopian books that I have read in a while. A genre that I love but seldom do I find a book worthy of my time.
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Through a series of diary entries and introspections, we follow the story of Theo, a historian entrenched in a dystopian future without children who is suddenly faced with something miraculous.
This was a satisfying surprise from James. I read this several years before the movie came out. It was an even more satisfying surprise that the movie captured the essentials of the book in a compelling way. This book didn't make me want to read James's other books, though, because this was a departure from her usual stuff.
I am always glad to read a book with dystopian themes. I wonder why?
I am always glad to read a book with dystopian themes. I wonder why?
There are many better dystopian future novels out there, but I have to disagree with many others regarding the film adaptation - I wouldn't say it was better, just different. From what I remember, though, it had more substance. This is the story of 5 'revolutionaries' that we don't get to know, or really care about, who go on the run (the perfect way, incidentally, to get to know the characters). The big bad guy is not nearly as overshadowing as he needs to be, and the main character comes across as a lazy and selfish depressive. The ending itself is a disappointment, making it feel as though the whole book has kind of been Christian propaganda.
Reading this for the first time in 2024, it is perhaps impossible to review this novel without mentioning the sublime, near-perfect 2006 film adaptation by Alfonso Cuáron. It's regarded as one of the finest films of the 21st century, rightfully so; it's gorgeously shot, well-acted, tight and taut and thrilling, instantly unforgettable. I love that movie.
Having said that, it has little to do with this book, except possibly from the basic premise.
The characterization of the protagonist, Theo, is the polar opposite of that in the film. Here, he is calculating to the point of apathy. A main criticism of this novel, one that I find frankly laughable, is that Theo is not likable enough. It is a bleak, dying world. I don't need my main character to be likeable; I would rather have him be realistic.
The pacing is much slower, but I didn't find that dull at all; P. D. James compensates for the lack of action by giving us line after line of beautiful writing, taking us deeper into Theo's psyche and therefore into the world he's inhabiting. Once the action picks up, it builds and builds, and I wasn't able to put it down during the last hundred pages.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
(P. S. That book cover is horrendous. Goodreads, please change it.)
Having said that, it has little to do with this book, except possibly from the basic premise.
The characterization of the protagonist, Theo, is the polar opposite of that in the film. Here, he is calculating to the point of apathy. A main criticism of this novel, one that I find frankly laughable, is that Theo is not likable enough. It is a bleak, dying world. I don't need my main character to be likeable; I would rather have him be realistic.
The pacing is much slower, but I didn't find that dull at all; P. D. James compensates for the lack of action by giving us line after line of beautiful writing, taking us deeper into Theo's psyche and therefore into the world he's inhabiting. Once the action picks up, it builds and builds, and I wasn't able to put it down during the last hundred pages.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
(P. S. That book cover is horrendous. Goodreads, please change it.)
I'm not quite ready to say I've given up on this one forever, but it had to go back on the waiting list because the audio reader was deadly boring. Not just that his voice made us sleepy while driving, but that he read as if he was actively bored with the whole thing.
Might pick up a paper copy another time.
Might pick up a paper copy another time.