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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Fabulous read - would love to give it 4 & half stars - loses half a star for the ending - although it ties off all its loose ends it seems like so many authors just can’t write an ending as good as the rest of the story .. or maybe I was just too tired reading the last 5 pages
Who can tell
Who can tell
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very cool to read and I really liked that it ended hopefully I think I would've liked it a lot less if it didn't have that hope. Also made me do a bunch of research on the topic very cool stuff.
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
More of a 3.5 rating than a true 3 star rating.
I really enjoyed this book, but something about the ending didn't feel "concrete" enough for me. Hence the 3/5 star rating instead of 4/5. Basically, the book follows 3 characters, Tao, George and William. The characters are also from 3 different times and places, Tao from Sichuan, China in 2098, George from Ohio, US in 2007, and William from Hertfordshire, England in 1851. Lunde uses the characters to show us a "history of bees" from the beginnings of modern day, industrial beekeeping in the 1800s, to the 2007 CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) crisis that woke many people up to declining bee populations, to a near dystopian, post-apocalyptic future where bees have disappeared and governments have had to find other ways to pollinate plants to feed human populations.The 2098 setting is also one where technological innovation has long been stagnant. Tao's story line hints to a past (around the 2030s-2040s) called The Collapse, and it seems that because bee populations have disappeared causing food and resource shortages, technological progress has also come to a halt and even reversed. So people in 2098 don't have access even to the types of technology we do today. I think one of the eeriest moments in the book is when Tao arrives and travels through Beijing and you see how a once so populated city is nearly abandoned into this post-apocalyptic landscape
Throughout her book, Lunde has captured the complexity of the situation and causes of CCD. She does point out, especially through Tao's journey, the role that pesticides and monoculture play in weakening bees to disease and parasites. I think the conclusion to Tao's story line demonstrates that. But somehow I thought that ending could have been stronger. But even though the environmental aspects of the conclusion weren't as strong as I'd have liked, I do think the the way the entire story and all three story lines finally tied together was very clever and well done. What I will say, though, is that this book definitely taught me something. Even though I was aware of CCD and the crisis of bees and pollinators in today's world, quite a few references made me want to research more for myself. So in that way it's a pretty engaging book that does drive you to learn more.
I found I connected most with George and Tao's characters, whereas William I found childish and irritating ( though I'm glad he eventually recognised how big a role Charlotte had to play in "his" discoveries...which were really hers in many ways ). I think Lunde did a good job as well on the emotional sides of Tao and George's story lines. Especially Tao's experiences as she approaches the end of her journey. I also thought George's relationship with his son was very realistic and well-written when you look at the way that many rural areas and small farming communities are slowly disappearing as young people move to urban areas, or farmers are forced to make compromises they wouldn't otherwise choose. I also liked the way the relationship between he and his wife was depicted over time.
Overall, I'd recommend it for anyone who has enjoyed some more subtle, slower paced and environmentally focused dystopian and/or post-apocalyptic novels like Memory of Water.
I really enjoyed this book, but something about the ending didn't feel "concrete" enough for me. Hence the 3/5 star rating instead of 4/5. Basically, the book follows 3 characters, Tao, George and William. The characters are also from 3 different times and places, Tao from Sichuan, China in 2098, George from Ohio, US in 2007, and William from Hertfordshire, England in 1851. Lunde uses the characters to show us a "history of bees" from the beginnings of modern day, industrial beekeeping in the 1800s, to the 2007 CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) crisis that woke many people up to declining bee populations, to a near dystopian, post-apocalyptic future where bees have disappeared and governments have had to find other ways to pollinate plants to feed human populations.
Throughout her book, Lunde has captured the complexity of the situation and causes of CCD. She does point out, especially through Tao's journey, the role that pesticides and monoculture play in weakening bees to disease and parasites. I think the conclusion to Tao's story line demonstrates that. But somehow I thought that ending could have been stronger. But even though the environmental aspects of the conclusion weren't as strong as I'd have liked, I do think the the way the entire story and all three story lines finally tied together was very clever and well done. What I will say, though, is that this book definitely taught me something. Even though I was aware of CCD and the crisis of bees and pollinators in today's world, quite a few references made me want to research more for myself. So in that way it's a pretty engaging book that does drive you to learn more.
I found I connected most with George and Tao's characters, whereas William I found childish and irritating ( though I'm glad he eventually recognised how big a role Charlotte had to play in "his" discoveries...which were really hers in many ways ). I think Lunde did a good job as well on the emotional sides of Tao and George's story lines. Especially Tao's experiences as she approaches the end of her journey. I also thought George's relationship with his son was very realistic and well-written when you look at the way that many rural areas and small farming communities are slowly disappearing as young people move to urban areas, or farmers are forced to make compromises they wouldn't otherwise choose. I also liked the way the relationship between he and his wife was depicted over time.
Overall, I'd recommend it for anyone who has enjoyed some more subtle, slower paced and environmentally focused dystopian and/or post-apocalyptic novels like Memory of Water.
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't really enjoyed it....
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Grief
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
If you like to read dystopian, historical fiction and are interested in the environment this is a great book. The story is split it to three viewpoints - a family in the past, a family in today's society and a family the future. I liked all of the parts but the future was my favorit. I felt a bit sad after finishing it so I wouldn't recommend it if you want something uplifting.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
