By Kevin Brockmeier
Genre Adult Dystopian/Parnormal
Pages 252
Recommended by Louise Goodreads friend
First sentence When the blind man arrived in the city, he claimed that he had traveled across a desert of living sand.
Synopsis
The City is home to those who have died but are remembered by those still alive. When the inhabitants of the City start disappearing and the rumor is that a horrible plague has wiped out humanity on earth, those left discover they have one thing in common; a young woman alone in Antarctica trying to survive.
What it had going for it
Um, well, yeah, the reason I read this one was based mostly on the cover. Well, that's why I picked it up, anyway. Check it out! Isn't it an awesome cover? Then I read the synopsis and thought it sounded rather intriguing. It was intriguing, the most unique story I've read in awhile, in fact. I enjoyed the chapters about Laura, the girl struggling to survive in Antarctica. Her story was filled with tension and heartbreak and I liked it. I also enjoyed the fact that her survival meant the survival of all the people in the City. It added another level of suspense to the story.
What's lacking
Sigh! I think I'm done with books that are dripping in symbolism. They make me feel so stupid. Especially when the symbolism is very subtle...too subtle and open for interpretation. I'm tired of trying to figure out what the author was trying to "say" using a story that, while good, is still weak and only a means to and end. Some symbolistic end meant to open our minds. Or something like that. Like I said, I didn't really get it.
Yea or Nay?
I say, if it sounds good to you and you then give it a go. It was interesting enough and wasn't boring or hard to read.
As much as I love books with symbolism in them I'm finding them more and more frustrating now that I'm not sitting in an English lit class every day. These kind of books are best for group discussions so that you can tear apart the meanings together. I never thought I would say this...but I actually miss my english seminars now because its so hard to do by myself!
ReplyDeletePS. The plot and cover of this book are both pretty kickass though! :D I'm definitely intrigued!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think this one would be a good one for discussion.
DeleteI think Jesus is the only one who gets to claim symbolism to cover for an otherwise confusing story...or maybe you're over thinking it. Cool story concept.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Agreed!
DeleteThis one sounds unique. I'm about to read a book about Antarctica, fiction, and it sounds like a cool, interesting place to put in a novel.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is really intriguing, but I'd never guess the genre by it. It sounds like a good read!
I had a hard time trying to decide what genre to put it in!
DeleteThe cover is amazing!!! I do like books with symbolism in them, but I want to be able to get the symbolism:) I don't know that it could be that subtle for me. LOL
ReplyDeleteYeah if you just can't get the symbolism then what's the point? Isn't that cover sweet?!
DeleteYou are not stupid! And I don't want to feel like I am so I am passing on this one!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks! You'd probably get this one better than I did. ;)
DeleteDon't worry about the symbolism. Read for fun!
ReplyDeleteDidn't you just read a book that you felt like you missed something because of symbolism? That's how I felt with this one.
DeleteThat IS a gorgeous cover, and I'm admittedly intrigued by the fact you say it's the most unique thing you've read in awhile. Hmm. Wonder if my library has it?
ReplyDeleteIt really was unique. The library is a good choice for acquiring this one. I'm glad I didn't buy it.
DeleteI do love the cover. This is a book I bought for my eldest and I've got it on the shelf, after wheedling it back from him, but still haven't read it. It actually sounds a lot weirder than I expected, but not in a bad way.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was rather odd, unique really. I love how many books I read you happen to have lying around. I would love to see your library!
DeleteI think I zoned out after I read the bit about then being dead. Ghosts scare the crap out of me. Plus I don't do symbolism either. Even THG couldn't sell symbolism to me!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Alright, you don't have to read this one. ;)
DeleteLove the cover, love the dystopian plotline, but heavy symbolism? I'm not usually into that for the same reason you don't like it. I say symbolism should always be subtle and never get in the way of the story. Maybe I'll try this one, I don't know ...
ReplyDelete