Take a photo of a barcode or cover
destrier 's review for:
The Children of Men
by P.D. James
The first part of the book (Omega) strongly echoes [b:The Martian Chronicles|76778|The Martian Chronicles|Ray Bradbury|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1338384826s/76778.jpg|4636013], but was better written than Bradbury's collection. It is also reminiscent of [b:Childhood's End|414999|Childhood's End|Arthur C. Clarke|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320552628s/414999.jpg|209414]. The characters and events are depressing, and each chapter reads like a complete short story, so I was not drawn forward as I am with James' mystery novels. But it was satisfying and beautifully crafted. In this part of the book James delivers good science fiction that addresses our time and place through allegory to other ones.
The second part of the book (Alpha) is a prosaic apocalyptic adventure story. It would have made a passable video game or cult film (think Mad Max), but for me detracted from the artistry of the first part.
The last chapter's blatant reference to the birth of Jesus was extremely weak. The second part of the book hadn't set it up well enough to be powerful and it felt like James delivering on an obligation rather than drawing a tight and mind-blowing circle.
I regret that I did not stop reading after Omega, and that P.D. James did not write more science fiction.
The second part of the book (Alpha) is a prosaic apocalyptic adventure story. It would have made a passable video game or cult film (think Mad Max), but for me detracted from the artistry of the first part.
Spoiler
The last chapter's blatant reference to the birth of Jesus was extremely weak. The second part of the book hadn't set it up well enough to be powerful and it felt like James delivering on an obligation rather than drawing a tight and mind-blowing circle.
I regret that I did not stop reading after Omega, and that P.D. James did not write more science fiction.