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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Wow! Just wow. That was the best book I have read in a long time. I don’t always love character-driven stories but this one had more layers to it and I loved every second of it. This is the story of a woman as she grows up in a future Florida that has been ravaged by hurricanes and flooding due to global warming and how she manages to make a life there. There’s an element of magical realism as well, which of course I loved. This story is painful and beautiful and ultimately a story of resilience and hope. And a portion of the proceeds from the book go to the Indigenous Environmental Network, which I think is great.
This is one of those books that worms its way into your heart. On the one hand, it covers a lifetime, and things seem to move slowly and inevitably to the end of the world as you know it. And yet--it gives you hope that no matter what we as humans do to screw things up, nature will find a way. The story follows the life of Wanda, a girl born in the middle of a hurricane in Florida, where each hurricane seems to be worse than the last one and each hurricane season seems to last longer every year. The story takes place in the near future and is a little bit of realistic fiction, science fiction, magical realism, and dystopian. It is filled with loss, pain, and guilt, but balanced with love, found family, and hope. There is much to reflect on as you read this novel and would be the perfect book for a book club. I think it would also be perfect for an AP Environmental Science class (maybe summer reading?). I highly recommend this book and can't wait to discuss this with my book club!
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
No
Beautiful writing. Terrifying sneak peek into our rapidly approaching climate disaster, centered around Wanda, named after the hurricane she was born during the eye passing over Florida. Wanda struggles as a motherless child until Phyllis, a former biology professor and neighbor takes her under her wing and educates and prepares her for the coming reality.
Grand central publishing sent this advance reader copy to my office, and I instantly loved the premise. Florida is returning to herself. Hurricanes become more frequent and intense, the tides lap at the highest lands, and the swampland is returning. What the residents decide to do next is whatever it takes to survive.
This Cli-Fi could become a great movie, or really happen in 59 years time. It was a page turner I’d be happy to recommend to my patrons. More than 4* but not enough to make it a 5.
This Cli-Fi could become a great movie, or really happen in 59 years time. It was a page turner I’d be happy to recommend to my patrons. More than 4* but not enough to make it a 5.
Very unusual story about a family struggling with the climate change challenges in the not so distant future.
Beautifully written novel of a dystopian future as climate change takes over Florida and the world. The central character that we witness this through is born during a hurricane that devastates her family. Wandas story is compelling, tragic yet not maudlin in any way. We had best pay attention.
Wow! Lyrical and gorgeous writing for a very difficult subject!!
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I really loved it and I found it hopeful in a way that I don't often experience. It really stuck with me, the sense of realism of the breakdown of human systems. I found the characters fairly compelling tho actually I was least connected to Wanda. I liked the jumping around in time and the whole first part, woof, what a gut punch and also what a page turner (or if you're me on audiobook a run extra errands so you can keep listening book)
I loved the bonus queer love story at the end. I loved the character of Phyllis. I sort of felt I could do without the magic element but I know it was important so idk.
I loved the bonus queer love story at the end. I loved the character of Phyllis. I sort of felt I could do without the magic element but I know it was important so idk.