Review: The Long Winter by John Christopher
Posted by childofthehive | Filed under Book Reviews, Sci-fi books
This book is very dated in its attitude to gender and race but incredibly relevant in its subject matter: climate change. In this novel, a drop in the sun’s radiation is causing the earth to get colder. Formerly temperate countries are becoming covered in snow and ice. Andy is living in England as this begins and the story tells of the slow start to this long winter that results in many people fleeing south to warmer countries. It covers both the situation in England and what happens to the refugees once they reach Africa.
One thing I liked about this book was how it focused mainly on the relationships between the characters. I wasn’t always sure I believed them, but it almost made the end of the world the background of the novel rather than its centre. You can some interesting dynamics between Andy, his ex-wife, the man his wife is now with and the woman Andy is beginning to care for. There are also some nice background characters, well though out and interesting, who explore some of the reactions people have to a crisis.
I just couldn’t get over the way the race issue was handled. Unfortunately, even today, there was probably still some truth in the racism portrayed but, while the rest of the book was relevant today, the way the narrative dealt with the differences between blacks and whites made the book seem incredibly old fashioned.
Tags: climage change, future, John Christopher, novels, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, science fiction, The Long Winter
Review: Chrysalids by John Wyndham
Posted by childofthehive | Filed under Book Reviews, Sci-fi books
Blessed is the norm!
I’ve enjoyed most John Wyndham books I’ve read but The Chrysalids is my absolute favourite. Not only does it have an excellent plot and strong characters, the tale is a fascinating commentary on prejudice and religious extremists. It’s a brilliant coming-of-age story about a young boy having to choose his own beliefs and decide what he thinks is right.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic future. Large areas are uninhabitable and mutations are common. These mutations are considered to be the work of the devil. These Blasphemies must be destroyed whenever found. In the rural community where the story is set, any plant or animal that is even slightly abnormal is slaughtered. But livestock aren’t the only ones born with mutations…
The book’s narrator, David, starts to doubt the religious fervour shown by his family when he encounters a six-toed girl. His doubts grow as it becomes apparent that he is not quite as normal as he might seem. He and a few others, including his cousin Rosalind, have the ability to communicate by sending mental images to each other. This small group realise that they will never be accepted so they must hide their abilities.
Hiding becomes a lot harder though when they discover that there is someone close to them with enormous power but little control.
There is an excellent sense of tension through the story that gradually builds towards a fantastic climax. There’s plenty of adventure in the story but also some deeply emotional aspects. A lot of the focus of the story is around the difficulty of hiding something so important from the people around them, including family, friends and even a husband. I think it’s this aspect that makes the story so powerful.
I would strongly recommend this novel.
Tags: adventure, future, post-apocalyptic, review, sci-fi, science fiction
