A review by heyheycharly
A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet

5.0

I tried to read a few books before this one and couldn't get into them or finish them and was worried something was wrong with my attention span. Luckily this book reminded me what great writing and great stories are so that I knew the problem didn't lie with me- and also life is too short to try and finish mediocre books! This book was such an engrossing read, and the writing really seemed so simple yet it was richly detailed at the same time. After finishing the book and ruminating on it for a while I started to wonder whether this book is an allegory for our times, with the parents representing the current people in charge or those with the money and power to help protect the rest of us or at least help improve our situation. And of course they don't, choosing instead to spend their money, accumulate more wealth, and get drunk and do whatever they please regardless of who it endangers or ignores. It was quite a timely read, after this summer of 'in-your-face' climate change, wondering what the future will look like for our children and future generations- and for ourselves.

one of my favorite lines:
"What people wanted to be, but never could, traveled along beside them. Company." (pg. 140)