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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
It’s so much fun revisiting a childhood favorite, especially one that holds up! I reread this as a part of my research into the genre of Subterranean Dystopian Fiction.
Lina and Doon are children of Ember, a city in the dark. As their home begins to crumble around them, they must find out if there is more to the world than what they’ve been told.
Propaganda and how it works to Keep Them Below is a theme kids might not explicitly pick up on when first introduced to the book at 8-12 years of age. The philosophical musings of people living in a city surrounded by “nothing,” wondering where they came from, what else is out there, and if someone is coming back, is genuinely so fascinating to read in a middle grade book. I feel like when I first read that stuff, I just thought it was “world building,” which, yes, it is, but it’s also so much more! Forced ignorance as propaganda is such a harsh choice, but so cleverly done.
The culture of Ember reads very “literary communist;” the descriptions of failing power, crumbling concrete buildings, lack of resource, and little choice feel like literary shorthand for Communism (these descriptions can be found in most Subterranean Dystopian texts). War from above, generally caused by a nuclear threat (from a “communist” country - post WWII/Cold War fears) drives us below to find that the communists followed us. Authoritarianism as an inevitability, the police must be used to enforce compliance for the people keeping the others below. Cool stuff to think about.
Ember is clearly a book for kids, but holds a lot of cool explorations of culture, propaganda, and philosophy for older people revisiting. Would recommend.
Lina and Doon are children of Ember, a city in the dark. As their home begins to crumble around them, they must find out if there is more to the world than what they’ve been told.
Propaganda and how it works to Keep Them Below is a theme kids might not explicitly pick up on when first introduced to the book at 8-12 years of age. The philosophical musings of people living in a city surrounded by “nothing,” wondering where they came from, what else is out there, and if someone is coming back, is genuinely so fascinating to read in a middle grade book. I feel like when I first read that stuff, I just thought it was “world building,” which, yes, it is, but it’s also so much more! Forced ignorance as propaganda is such a harsh choice, but so cleverly done.
The culture of Ember reads very “literary communist;” the descriptions of failing power, crumbling concrete buildings, lack of resource, and little choice feel like literary shorthand for Communism (these descriptions can be found in most Subterranean Dystopian texts). War from above, generally caused by a nuclear threat (from a “communist” country - post WWII/Cold War fears) drives us below to find that the communists followed us. Authoritarianism as an inevitability, the police must be used to enforce compliance for the people keeping the others below. Cool stuff to think about.
Ember is clearly a book for kids, but holds a lot of cool explorations of culture, propaganda, and philosophy for older people revisiting. Would recommend.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Such a great book! A very interesting concept and I hope that the second book is just as good. I used to read this book growing up and I loved it and the movie. I don't like the movie as much anymore however.
I really loved this book...a very different take on the dystopian theme.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have to say this is one of my favorite series of all time, and that is saying a lot. Once I started reading, I could not stop. Please read this!!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm really leaning towards 3.5 stars for this novel. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the novel, and it was a quick, easy read. I am just not sure if I felt the writing was "stellar." I enjoyed the concept of a city built underground as a means to preserve civilization in the face of impending doom, but I am not sure if it was developed enough throughout this first installment. I know this is the first in a series, and I am hopeful that the remaining novels will answer the questions that I have; therefore, I "rounded up" my rating. I will be starting The People of Sparks tonight.