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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Maybe 4.5 stars.
The plot kicks off with the usual sort of "normal affluent Western people hit by sudden collapse of civilisation", so you may think you know what it's about.
But it is far more subtle, and about so much. The intergenerational disconnect is played in a broadly comic way, while managing to be dark and serious behind the laughs. And the religious parallels may seem a bit much, but are handled really well.
Lydia Millet's writing is so skillful and sure; even in the weird bits, you know that you can trust the book is going somewhere good.
The plot kicks off with the usual sort of "normal affluent Western people hit by sudden collapse of civilisation", so you may think you know what it's about.
But it is far more subtle, and about so much. The intergenerational disconnect is played in a broadly comic way, while managing to be dark and serious behind the laughs. And the religious parallels may seem a bit much, but are handled really well.
Lydia Millet's writing is so skillful and sure; even in the weird bits, you know that you can trust the book is going somewhere good.
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you are the least bit concerned about the ticking time bomb of global warming and the corresponding risk to life as we know it and are comfortable with some self reflection about how blasé we all are even if we think we aren’t, read this book. Not great for my pandemic anxiety levels but so good and really powerful.
A bit overt and an oddly rushed wrap up, but read in a sitting.
I’m still thinking about this little book weeks after reading. How did things fall apart so quickly? And is this how it’s going to happen?
This book is very weird and I don’t think I liked it very much.
Well, when I say very weird… like, I can do a weird book. And sometimes the weird here is good. But many times the weird is bad. The plot is… weird. Like very very weird. Lots of things just sort of … happen? Without much explanation. Maybe I’m just missing something but man this is weird.
Also, many of the characters were weird. Sometimes fun weird (love u Val) but many times…. Bad weird.
Well, when I say very weird… like, I can do a weird book. And sometimes the weird here is good. But many times the weird is bad. The plot is… weird. Like very very weird. Lots of things just sort of … happen? Without much explanation. Maybe I’m just missing something but man this is weird.
Also, many of the characters were weird. Sometimes fun weird (love u Val) but many times…. Bad weird.
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark