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sara_reads_things's review against another edition
4.0
Although I was already familiar with this story, this book brought new perspective and dept to the tragedy of the world within the pages.
The story behind the pages, shows a world that is falling apart. Women can no longer get pregnant, and as the population ages, there are no younger people to take their place. Schools are closed and the youngest people are in their twenties.
When one woman comes up pregnant, she knows if she is found out, the government will turn her into a science experiment and take her child from her. There are people who wish to keep her safe, but they are few and far between and its hard to know who to trust.
The truth behind the words in this book, are far more impactful than I think the author knew at the time they wrote them. To think about a mother fearing for the life of her child, or having her child taken from her. These fears live in the real world.
This was a great book. A definite must.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina
The story behind the pages, shows a world that is falling apart. Women can no longer get pregnant, and as the population ages, there are no younger people to take their place. Schools are closed and the youngest people are in their twenties.
When one woman comes up pregnant, she knows if she is found out, the government will turn her into a science experiment and take her child from her. There are people who wish to keep her safe, but they are few and far between and its hard to know who to trust.
The truth behind the words in this book, are far more impactful than I think the author knew at the time they wrote them. To think about a mother fearing for the life of her child, or having her child taken from her. These fears live in the real world.
This was a great book. A definite must.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina
nineteenthly's review against another edition
5.0
This book is kind of a companion volume to 'The Handmaid's Tale', but written from a more conservative mindset. It's excellent but interestingly unlike the much more liberal but equally wonderful film adaptation.
In the real world, at around the time this book and Atwood's were written, a marked decline in human fertility had been noted. Both authors chose to explore this possibility and took it in similar but different directions. Both envisaged the emergence of oppressive regimes in response. Both are very bleak. However, whereas Atwood depicted a religiously fundamentalist theocracy, James expected nihilism. There is also a religious element in the possibility of a final baby being born, who would be venerated like the Christ child, and in fact I can easily imagine this would be so.
As time goes by, the scenario becomes less plausible and it's not particularly easy to get on board with James's idea that we would throw open our borders and welcome all and sundry, and that this would be a bad thing, so to that extent the film is more convincing to me than the book. In a way, for me there is hope in this story, not so much because of the single final baby as that if the human race did die out, the rest of the planet could recover, and for me that's the hope for the future.
Oh, and the monarchy seems to be gone as well, presumably because they died without heirs, although the time scale seems wrong for this.
In the real world, at around the time this book and Atwood's were written, a marked decline in human fertility had been noted. Both authors chose to explore this possibility and took it in similar but different directions. Both envisaged the emergence of oppressive regimes in response. Both are very bleak. However, whereas Atwood depicted a religiously fundamentalist theocracy, James expected nihilism. There is also a religious element in the possibility of a final baby being born, who would be venerated like the Christ child, and in fact I can easily imagine this would be so.
As time goes by, the scenario becomes less plausible and it's not particularly easy to get on board with James's idea that we would throw open our borders and welcome all and sundry, and that this would be a bad thing, so to that extent the film is more convincing to me than the book. In a way, for me there is hope in this story, not so much because of the single final baby as that if the human race did die out, the rest of the planet could recover, and for me that's the hope for the future.
Oh, and the monarchy seems to be gone as well, presumably because they died without heirs, although the time scale seems wrong for this.
lratkinson's review against another edition
4.0
My biggest complaint is that the font is way too small. Holy moly! I had to use a magnifying sheet.
christmasturner's review against another edition
4.0
While I preferred the film, I still enjoyed the book. The story differs a little, but I enjoyed the world building and complex characters in both. This has a good pace and a wonderful range of ideas to consider. It maintains a balanced tone, presenting characters with different world views respectfully.
ingebvh's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting dystopia. I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would, but the book was still good.
James was (it's sad to use the past tense about her) an author who could create three dimensional characters, and these are no exceptions. The beginning had a bit too much backstory, but everything was beautifully written. Certain scenes were haunting and deeply disturbing, while others were simply beautiful. The last half of the book was fast-paced and thrilling.
All in all, if a bit slow at times, it is still a good book.
James was (it's sad to use the past tense about her) an author who could create three dimensional characters, and these are no exceptions. The beginning had a bit too much backstory, but everything was beautifully written. Certain scenes were haunting and deeply disturbing, while others were simply beautiful. The last half of the book was fast-paced and thrilling.
All in all, if a bit slow at times, it is still a good book.
amiewhittemore's review against another edition
3.0
I remember liking the film adaptation of this when it came out--20 years ago? Is that right? A long time. Anyway, the movie is much more action-oriented than the novel, which is rather quiet and slow moving until the last third or so. I did enjoy it and was quite caught up in the denouement, but overall found it a bit overwritten. I wouldn't teach it in a science fiction/spec lit class. It's just. As my students would say, so wordy. Still, a decent read, overall.
paulhill53's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting, very very different from the film. Great ending.
sajina's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the end better then in the film which I have (unfortunately) seen before I had finished the book.