dihenydd
2/28/2013
Not much happens in this book - besides the end of the world as we know it, with civilisation breaking down and food impossible to find. The world descends into darkness as something akin to a Nuclear Winter descends, but although there are hints of unruly elements this is mostly a story of family solidarity and fortitude in adversity - not by heroes but by 'the nice folks next door'. The family of four huddle together in a boarded in sun porch with a wood stove for warmth, eeking out starvation rations, and playing games and studying to pass time.
They are not subject to marauding hordes intent on rape and pillage. Zombies aren't breaking down their door. A plague of rats isn't swarming through the town.
However a meteor hits the moon pushing it out of it's orbit and causing tsunami, erupting volcanoes, and ash that obscures the sun. Light disappears, warmth disappears, then the snow starts...
The story is told through the journal entries of a young woman, Miranda. An ordinary daughter, sister and student, living in an ordinary little town. The episodic nature of the narration accentuates the time frame of the unfolding events and drags the reader in involving them in her fears and wishes.
As the realisation of impending disaster solidifies and there is a mad dash for supplies I found myself wondering what I would stock up on in the same situation. Would I go about it in the same way? Would I have the same priorities?
When the power ended we coincidentally had a power cut! When I read about tsunami they were happening in RL on the radio. When the volcanic ash obscured the sky we were in the middle of a few miserable grey days. I was so immersed in the book I felt it was about to snow any minute and never stop!
Despite the dystopian theme it was essentially a powerful affirmation of human nature. Don't get me wrong these aren't goodie goodie people. They snap at each other, they hurt each other and they get on each others nerves. I did get invested in the characters though - they mattered to me, even the cat. I would much rather think that if the world were to end people would behave like this rather than descend into animality.
I will definitely read the others in this series.