Scan barcode
A review by dchaseb
American Rapture by CJ Leede
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
C.J. Leede really grabbed my attention with her first book Maeve Fly which was one of my favorite books the year it came out. May be a divisive thing to say, but even with MF taking inspiration from American Psycho, I found it to be a better version (imo). Now, we have American Rapture .
A very different type of story. We follow Sophie who is a sheltered Catholic school girl who finds herself coming of age in the midst of an apocalypse of sorts. Imagine 28 Days Later but add rape to the list of things that the infected do. What follows is a brutal story of survival that also provides commentary on religion, cults, public health, vanity, puberty, sex, and love. There are a lot of real life events that this book pulls from including religious zealots, the COVID-19 Pandemic, misinformation, national emergencies, and hate/terrorist groups.
I would say that Leede has built an incredible world, but it is also horrifying in that it feels eerily similar to what has or could happen in today's society at any time. The characters are realistic and how they interact with one another feels too real. The everlasting love between a close brother and sister. The intensely overbearing relationship of an overprotective father. That same parenting style from a mother who lets Sophie into her past in small glimpses. A growing crush between Sophie and Ben. The adoration of a role model/protector that teases something more. The badass female role model that helps Sophie to think for herself. And many more. Not to mention, one of the greatest dog companions ever.
As a reader, it is easy to comment on why characters are not doing more in the face of such clear and present danger, but how many times have we as a society done that in the midst of horrible events? I've read other reviews about how Sophie is dumb and would not be able to survive in this apocalyptic world without dumb luck, but in the words of "Pitch Meetings" on YouTube, "Yeah. Well, that's so the movie can happen."
A bit of a departure from Maeve Fly but still a great read from Leede (haha. I should work in marketing, right?)
PS. Her letter to the reader...damn. Much love to her and her loss. Also, many thanks for writing such praise for how awesome libraries are.
A very different type of story. We follow Sophie who is a sheltered Catholic school girl who finds herself coming of age in the midst of an apocalypse of sorts. Imagine 28 Days Later but add rape to the list of things that the infected do. What follows is a brutal story of survival that also provides commentary on religion, cults, public health, vanity, puberty, sex, and love. There are a lot of real life events that this book pulls from including religious zealots, the COVID-19 Pandemic, misinformation, national emergencies, and hate/terrorist groups.
I would say that Leede has built an incredible world, but it is also horrifying in that it feels eerily similar to what has or could happen in today's society at any time. The characters are realistic and how they interact with one another feels too real. The everlasting love between a close brother and sister. The intensely overbearing relationship of an overprotective father. That same parenting style from a mother who lets Sophie into her past in small glimpses. A growing crush between Sophie and Ben. The adoration of a role model/protector that teases something more. The badass female role model that helps Sophie to think for herself. And many more. Not to mention, one of the greatest dog companions ever.
As a reader, it is easy to comment on why characters are not doing more in the face of such clear and present danger, but how many times have we as a society done that in the midst of horrible events? I've read other reviews about how Sophie is dumb and would not be able to survive in this apocalyptic world without dumb luck, but in the words of "Pitch Meetings" on YouTube, "Yeah. Well, that's so the movie can happen."
A bit of a departure from Maeve Fly but still a great read from Leede (haha. I should work in marketing, right?)
PS. Her letter to the reader...damn. Much love to her and her loss. Also, many thanks for writing such praise for how awesome libraries are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual violence, and Violence