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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I've been reading a lot of PA stuff lately. I think it is because there is a lot of it available, but I've always been a bit of a PA/dystopia nerd. And either because a previously unmet demand is suddenly being met, or it's just become faddish, there's a lot of new PA novels out there. I have to say that the past few have been some of my favourites.
It's a layered narrative with revelations about the protagonist, Makepeace, gradually uncovered throughout the book. It's also probably the only book to deal with how the Quakers might handle the end of the world as the decay of society and the need to protect their families clash with their peace testimony. Makepeace, a lapsed Friend, is still a Friend, and the underlying spirituality and philosophy was familiar and understandable, even though the community of Evangeline practised a much more religious and "Christian" form than I am used to.
I was expecting a bit of a quick, speculative fiction book designed to speak as a warning about current conditions, and there was a tiny element of that. But overall, that wasn't what this book was about, and I found it gripping and hard to put down.
It's a layered narrative with revelations about the protagonist, Makepeace, gradually uncovered throughout the book. It's also probably the only book to deal with how the Quakers might handle the end of the world as the decay of society and the need to protect their families clash with their peace testimony. Makepeace, a lapsed Friend, is still a Friend, and the underlying spirituality and philosophy was familiar and understandable, even though the community of Evangeline practised a much more religious and "Christian" form than I am used to.
I was expecting a bit of a quick, speculative fiction book designed to speak as a warning about current conditions, and there was a tiny element of that. But overall, that wasn't what this book was about, and I found it gripping and hard to put down.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another end-of-days tale, this time cold is the manifestation of humanity's folly, and scarcity and fear fuel desperation, violence and despair. Makepeace is a character of resourcefulness, but to reveal more of the plot would give away too much of the story. If you are a fan of The Road or The Dog Star, you will likely enjoy this tale.
A solid postapocalyptic novel, very readable, but with enough of its own spirit to stand out among many similar works. It has a memorable and likable protagonist: Makepeace, a strong-willed woman whose pragmatism is easy to envy. And it's a harsh book, often as bleak and violent as The Road; without too much romance, but made bearable by its heroine's spirit.
I'll admit, I was surprised in the third chapter when I realized that the first person voice I had started to get the swing of was not what I thought. I thought this book was excellently written. It was compelling. Living in Siberia, the protagonist lives a lonely existence which is turned upside-down by one chance accident and following act of kindness. A brutal world, an empty landscape, and yet the hope of human connection, of companionable love. In a way, this book was a nice counterpoint to Little Bee, about the strong love and friendship between women redeeming the unredeemable.
I really enjoyed this post-apocalyptic tale. What happens afterwards? I was thoroughly enchanted with the tough-as-nails matter-of-fact main character who tells it like it is. Theroux's storytelling definitely sets up a few surprises, and i fell for every one.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes