Post-apocalyptic fiction is my my favorite genre. I am also on a kick of reading rocking female authors. Also, I love Margaret Atwood, and she mentored Alderman and has mentioned this book as one to read. Soooo, post-apocalyptic fiction with Margaret Atwood’s seal of approval should be a slam dunk for my tastes, and oh, it certainly was.
In Alderman’s world, “the power” is a muscle across the collarbone of young women that allows them to send out electric shocks to animal, vegetable, or mineral. And it is a power only wielded by women. I KNOW RIGHT?! Things get real, real fast. As you would assume, a world in which women have a physical power of men is one of peace and tranquility and everybody gets along. Clears throat. Yeah, no. But it is outstanding. It is a book you devour, and a world you will quickly get lost in. And it is definitely one that will make you think.
Told from the vantage point of several different characters, we get a full picture of what the world is like, and how things are changing the whole world over. Plus, Adlerman uses a neat device where the beginning of the book shows a written exchange between herself and the author of the book that you are reading. The novel is book-ended by a similar exchange which adds another layer of storytelling to this “historical” novel.
Love this book, will be recommending it to all persons. I am only a little sad to not have “the power” but I would use it for good, promise…
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