A review by booktalkwithkarla
The Measure by Nikki Erlick

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-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

4.5

Would you want to know how long you will live? Many of the people in this novel find they have no choice when a box arrives with a string indicating the length of their life. Some open the box and others don’t, until forced to. What follows are the consequences in every aspect of life from dating to work to parenting to politics to economics. As we follow the characters lives and connections, you can’t help but wonder what you would do and how you would respond. 

Nikki Erlick has a wonderful imagination. The plot idea is creative and Erlick executed it brilliantly. I loved the pace of the book and connection between chapters and people.  There are many parallels to discrimination we see in present day that are alarming in the novel and real life. The characters were lovable (with only a few exceptions ) and I was very emotional at multiple points. One of my favorite parts was the Italian values of “already put the family first. We did not need the strings to tell us what is most important.” Another is the video of the girl saying “help them see that we are all the same, all connected. We are all strung together.”

This novel was a welcome fiction read after a string of great non-fiction books. I enjoyed every moment and stole a few chunks of time that probably should have been devoted to “being responsible”. Life is a gift and living in the present is the best way to live.