An amazing book
I also read Into the Forest, by Jean Hegland. Doulicia recommended it, and I'm so glad she did! I'm providing the Amazon link because the book was hard to find in the library. I ended up borrowing Doule's copy, which she found in the U-M grad library. I LOVED this book. I read it, literally, in two sittings.
No spoilers this time; I'll just say that the setting is a near-future post-apocalyptic Northern California. Though the book is © 1996 it felt very topical after the Katrina disaster. And very menacing because no explanation is given for society's collapse. The book is about two teenage sisters living alone out in the woods, learning to survive without gas, electricity, or any of the modern conveniences they used to take for granted. A combination of my two favorite genres: near-future post-apocalypse and wilderness-survival. And for the most part very beautifully written. The author is also a poet. Aspects of the plot were completely predictable, but it didn't matter in the least. It could have only turned out one way, and it did. And there's a fabulous, absolutely fabulous, moment at the end.
Five stars, two thumbs up, go get this book!
No spoilers this time; I'll just say that the setting is a near-future post-apocalyptic Northern California. Though the book is © 1996 it felt very topical after the Katrina disaster. And very menacing because no explanation is given for society's collapse. The book is about two teenage sisters living alone out in the woods, learning to survive without gas, electricity, or any of the modern conveniences they used to take for granted. A combination of my two favorite genres: near-future post-apocalypse and wilderness-survival. And for the most part very beautifully written. The author is also a poet. Aspects of the plot were completely predictable, but it didn't matter in the least. It could have only turned out one way, and it did. And there's a fabulous, absolutely fabulous, moment at the end.
Five stars, two thumbs up, go get this book!
posted by Julie on
9/24/2005
14 Comments:
You're into wilderness survival too? One more thing to add to the list of things we have in common (see my comment here).
posted by
Anonymous on 1:17 PM
Sylvia!!!! I'm so glad to see you here -- thank you for linking back to your comment. I don't know how I missed it before. How cool, huh?
Though, actually, I should clarify. I'm not into actual wilderness survival. I just like to read about it. If you ever read Julie of the Wolves or, um, Clan of the Cave Bear, you know what I mean.
posted by
Julie on 3:13 PM
Oh joyous day! Another book to check out. I knew there was a reason why I bookmarked you. :)
I'm stuck in re-reading some of my faves. I need to branch out.
posted by
Adrienne on 6:32 PM
On another note, thanks for the heads up on banned books week. I'm a rebel so I'm going to go read them all. : )
Of Mice and Men? I LOVE that book! Geesh...we have the freedom to choose to not read them. If a parent feels that it isn't age apporpriate (and I did read books that weren't appropriate at a young age) then you best be aware of what your kids are reading and tell them no!
posted by
Adrienne on 6:38 PM
I love this site, except the reminder on how far behind I am when it comes to reading good books. :) I'll add this one to my "when we go to Hawaii so I can read five books" list.
posted by
Fred on 7:07 PM
Geez. Another good book. I can't keep up. I am in the middle of The Reef for my bookclub and I still have Master and Commander and Out of the Silent Planet next to my bed. Also, three Joan Aiken books including one on how to write books for children. How do you read them all? Do you have one of those time-turners that Hermoine wore in Prisoner of Azkaban? I need one of those!
posted by
Anonymous on 7:57 PM
Well, I must admit that I know more about theoretical wilderness survival than real wilderness survival. I've taken some classes but that's about it. I also love reading about it, and luckily my local library has this book. Thanks for the tip.
posted by
Anonymous on 9:28 PM
Way to go, Adrienne, you rebel! I'M going to read some challenged Captain Underpants books this week. :)
Fred, perhaps you could contrive to hurt your back -- not too badly, just enough to keep you bedridden for a day or two. That's what I did.
Nixie, sounds like you could use a sick day, too. I'm so touched that you've got Master & Commander on your bedside table. I should warn you, it took me three tries to get through it. Well worth the effort, but here's a tip: M&C is the worst of the whole series in terms of nautical jargon. Don't try to understand it, just enjoy the words. It's like in the movies when they speak a foreign language and purposely don't give subtitles. You're not supposed to understand. I also skim the battle descriptions. I read just enough to find out who wins and who gets killed.
Sylvia, you're welcome! Let me know how you like it.
posted by
Julie on 10:17 PM
I had no idea that those were your two favorite themes in books. You are an interesting lady!
posted by
Running2Ks on 11:27 AM
Is that a YA novel or adult? Sounds interesting . . .
I'm thrilled to say I'm coming down with a cold, first one of the season, so it looks I might have a reading day coming up.
posted by
Anonymous on 11:08 PM
Love the new look of the site, Julie! And thanks for the link concerning Banned Books Week. (It's shameful such a week is necessary, isn't it?)
posted by
Anonymous on 8:37 PM
Running, thank you for the compliment. If, in fact, "interesting" is a compliment. Isn't there an old Chinese curse, "May you live interesting times"? Shudder.
Laura, definitely not YA. I'm delighted to hear you're not feeling well! (Heh heh, you know what I mean.)
Melanie, thanks, and yes, absolutely shameful.
posted by
Julie on 11:06 AM
I ordered the book when Doulicia recommended it, and it came the day I returned to school...so it's sitting, but I can't wait for December to read it on break...
Hh
posted by
Milliner's Dream, a woman of many "hats"... on 11:03 PM
I liked it!
posted by
Anonymous on 11:12 PM
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