Reviews with content warning for Outing - The Measure

What a book, such an interesting concept that gives massive food for thought. It would make for great discussions at a book club. Written from 8 characters points of view, which normally I would find too many, but not in this case. I fell in love with all the intertwined characters apart from the power-hungry politician Anthony. The rest, Hank, Maura, Nina, Amie, Ben, Jack, and Javier, were all loveable in their own ways, adding depth to the differing points of view to the books premise. Potentially knowing when you might die via a box delivered when you are 22, containing different lengths of string, which indicates length of life. Long and short stringers and those who choose not to open their box, so a new and interesting look at discrimination. The size of the text in the book I was reading was smaller than normal and uncomfortable, so this was the main negative for me. I didn't mind that I didn't get to know where the boxes came from, and it's had to place this book into a particular genre. In summary, I love books that make me think, and this one does in spades. Excellent stuff.

Content Warnings

kelly_e's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Title: The Measure
Author: Nikki Erlick
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: June 28 , 2022

T H R E E • W O R D S

Intriguing • Original • Uplifting

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

💭 T H O U G H T S

Of course, I'd seen The Measure on so many 2022 favourites lists, yet it wasn't until it was recommended to me as part of my 12 recommendations from 12 friends project for 2023 that I really paid attention to this debut. And in short, from the very first pages I knew I was going to love this book!

I loved all of the characters (except maybe one...) and each of their distinct, yet interconnected lives. While the cast is vast, Erlick does a fantastic job at giving each character a distinct arc, so the reader is able to keep the plotlines straight. Getting to explore different reactions to the strings through a variety of POVs was an absolute gift. There's an underlying political aspect (that I know many won't love) weaved into the story, and I thought it was interesting to see the perspective of how people in power would handle such huge life questions.

This novel gave me way more than just entertainment. It dives deep into the meaning of life and what makes a good life. It explores priorities, the value of connection, and the importance of both the big and the small moments, while also contemplating hope and destiny. It is just so wholly human. Additionally, there were so many parallels to things that have happened or are ongoing (war, COVID, etc.) that it sparked even more deep thought and reflection on my part. This book is the reason I love reading.

I cannot finish my review without mentioning the anonymous letters been Ben and Amie. It was one of my favourite aspects of the book, an absolutely beautiful portrayal of interconnectedness and the power of strangers. Their communication and support of one another made me believe in the kindness and good of people. When there is so much doom and gloom, getting an uplifting (even if fictionalized) account of kindness brought tears to my eyes.

An ambitious debut, I simply could not put this book down! While it tackles themes of death and immortality, it does so in a very human and hopeful matter. I went back and forth between whether I'd want to open my box or not, and came away still unsure. As someone who has bared witness to the death of my person (himself a 'short stringer'), I honestly cannot say whether I'd have wanted to know or not. I don't think anything could ever prepare someone who such a loss. What I do know for sure is that no matter what I'd still feel the same - love would always be a constant. The Measure has found its way onto my favourites list and I will come back to it as a comfort read in the future. I cannot wait to see what Nikki Erlick writes next and I know I'll definitely be pre-ordering it.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• everyone!
• fans of The One and/or The Midnight Library
• bookclubs

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"The poster was covered with wrinkled photos of famous figures, all of whom has passed prematurely: Selena Quintanilla, Kobe Bryant, Princess Diana, Chadwick Boseman. A meaningful life, at any length was written across the top in cursive lettering."

"But you asked if everyone deserves happiness. I certainly think so. And I don't think having a short string should make that impossible. If I've learned anything from all the stories I've read - of love and friendship, adventure and bravery - it's that living long is not the same as living well."

"'It's easy to look at our time together and think that we were so unlucky. But isn't it better to spend ten years really loving someone, rather than forty years growing bored or weary or bitter? When we think of the greatest love stories ever written, we aren't judging them by their length. Many of them were briefer than my marriage with Maura. But our story - mind and Maura's - it felt deep, and it felt whole, despite its length. It was an entire, wonderful tale in and of itself, and even though I've been given more chapters than Maura, her pages were the ones you couldn't put down. The ones that I'll keep rereading, over and over, for the rest of my life. Our decade together, our story, was a gift.'"

"Dear B,
No matter what happens, I still feel the same.
-A"

Content Warnings

katharina90's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Really intriguing concept with a lot of potential. Ultimately I didn't care much for any of the characters which made the book less impactful than it could have been.

Maybe there were just too many perspectives which limited my ability to get to know the characters and feel invested in their stories.

I did enjoy pondering some of the questions the book poses:
If you could find out how much time you have left, would you want to?
And if so, would that knowledge change your life choices?

Content Warnings