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Liked It “This is a post-apocalyptic tale set seemingly several years after the destruction of American civilization. Society has reverted to agrarian means, but for some unnamed reason, crops are failing and the only salvation seems to be heading east to find a ship across the Atlantic. Three disparate...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It3 of 3 members found this review helpful “(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com].) |
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“dystopia, disappointing story of future lawless America where all technology is abandoned--reads like a western, bit of a love story, but not nearly enough happens (Finger Baptists only interesting bit)
Jenny A wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
”“This is a post-apocalyptic tale set seemingly several years after the destruction of American civilization. Society has reverted to agrarian means, but for some unnamed reason, crops are failing and the only salvation seems to be heading east to find a ship across the Atlantic. Three disparate travelers meet to form a family and make the trek, deciding in the end to persevere in the land they left behind. Strongly wrought characters, complex with strengths and weaknesses. An engaging plot. Beautiful writing. I kept wondering why the author chose to write this book on the heels of "The Road", a very similar plot. This one stands alone, but it does make for good comparisons.”
DrRenee wrote this review Wednesday, March 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I was told by a friend who started this before me that I would hate this book. Well, I did not! I actually really enjoyed it and I think as soon as she gets a little deeper into it she may like it too!
Kiki68 wrote this review Friday, March 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Margaret and Franklin are likable if unusual characters. Their America is not recognizable to us. A place where engines and electronics are useless to the inhabitants; relics of a world no one remembers clearly or understands.
The writing in this book is great. Crace's voice is clear and original.
If you enjoyed The Road, (or any other post-apocalyptic novels for that matter) you will probably like this one. It has moments where you are almost afraid to find out what happens next; this is a brutal world where people are ready to fight for survival at any cost. But it isn't as scary as The Road and their does seem to be a glimmer of hope that was absent (I felt) in McCarthy's world. ”
“Not my favorite book...a 1950's type Armageddon story...quite creepy!! The author did a wonderful job describing the horrors, but I was unable to finish it.”
Kathy F wrote this review Wednesday, December 17 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I guess I'm just not a Crace fan because this didn't work for me any more than Being Dead did. I had a hard time caring about the characters. Jackson seemed more interesting to me than his brother, and Jackson died in the first chapter. The characters' motives for doing various things seemed unclear to me. For instance, Margaret's decision to keep a child who wasn't hers seemed really appalling to me coming from a woman who'd shown no previous inclination to disobey social norms. At any rate I just didn't buy in.
Michelle L wrote this review Tuesday, November 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“A really interesting and engrossing novel. The day I finished reading it, the author was interviewed on NPR and his explanation of it as a metaphor was enlightening! A love story and a scary, fascinating look at a possible American future, after the land has been poisoned and civilization has been destroyed long enough for the culture of modern humanity as we know it to have been forgotten.”
Alice E wrote this review Wednesday, July 2 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I really enjoyed this book! It's like a romantic adventure story set in the future set in the past. Confused yet? :) America is a wasteland and everyone is trying to leave. There's NO technology (it's like Little House on the Prairie) but there are remnants of the technology that once existed. A traveler meets a sick woman and romance blossoms. They travel, they are separated, there is a child who does not belong to either of them. Seriously, people. This is a great read. You will love it.”
Sara wrote this review Friday, March 7 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book reminds me of the Pearl somehow.”
mgogol wrote this review Saturday, February 2 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I highly recommend this book for those who enjoyed Cormac McCarthy's The Road.”
Deanna B wrote this review Saturday, October 20 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I loved this book. Took a couple of chapters to get into but then was hooked. What I found the most interesting was the development of the relationship between the two main characters - something very appealing in the simplicity and innocence of it.”
webfooted wrote this review Tuesday, October 9 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
