My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a difficult book to review and rate.
The story follows Marlene, her three children, as well as her sister-in-law and niece, who have gone for a weekend camping trip. While there, a plague hits their homes and apparently the rest of Britain, and they go back to the woods due to the plague infested bodies in the City. From that grim begininning, the book grabs you and forces forward with dramatic pacing, but in a sense, little else. This is not necessarily a criticism, books can be read and enjoyed because of their fast and exciting pace. But this book felt like so much more was possible.
There's the ethical discussion of the world's supposed response to the plague - quarantine of survivors. Philosophically - is such a decision morally right, because of the lives preserved; or morally wrong because of people arbitrarily excluded? Politically - what rights do survivors have; what obligations due relief agencies and other government agencies owed? These possibilities are never explored - which makes sense, in a way, to explore these issues would slow down the pacing of the book. That said, I couldn't stop thinking about these issues, regardless of whether the author intended to raise it or not.
There's also a commentary or sorts on parenthood, and specifically motherhood. The primary character, Marlene, satirizes the concept of working mothers having it all. She feels like does her best, being both a mom and breadwinner, but in the end, she doesn't "have it all," she only gets "higher expectations." This commentary is mentioned briefly, and serves as a backdrop for Marlene's character, but not explored much more.
I believe that the arc of Marlene's character is supposed to show some development, or change, throughout the novel. However, because of how fast things go, and how you must simply allow for certain inexplicable decisions due to the strangeness of the situation the characters find themselves in, its difficult to trace that arc. So much of it will depend on what the reader brings to the book - the reader's preconceived notions about relationships, parenthood (motherhood specifically), courage, duty, love.
It is impossible to discuss this book with discussing the ending. That said, no spoilers here. Suffice to say that a decision is made at the end of the book by Marlene that feels difficult to swallow, to understand. Earlier in the book, Marlene's sister-in-law, Joni, chides the idea of people dying for their children, professing that such is easy, but that "living for your children" is much harder. I couldn't stop thinking about that belief upon reading the ending of this story.
If nothing else, the ending will invoke a strong reaction, in some fashion, from most readers. In the end, I liked the book, despited the quarrels I had with it. I like a book that challenges me, makes me examine and think about my emotional reaction to it. For better or worse, this book does that. Combine that with quick pacing and an easy to read package, and its worth a read.
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