Leigh reviewed on 10/10/2013 + 378 more book reviews

This is one of the saddest books I've ever read and I became very emotional during the final bit. The last line made me burst into tears. What I felt was due in no way to the characters, but instead to humanity, which the author did an astounding job capturing. Human feelings and our entire existence is so fleeting in the grand scheme of things. I'm getting weepy just writing this.

The main character, Julia, is supposedly 11 at the time of The Slowing, when the Earth slows its axial rotation, bit by bit. She celebrates her 12th birthday during the course of the story. She acts and speaks like no other 11- or 12-year old on Earth. Had the author made her 15, turning 16, she would have been believable. This is the only problem I have with the book.

Ignoring for the most part how other countries dealt with The Slowing, this focused entirely on the United States, including its attempted solutions to the problem. But even government couldn't keep up with the rapid changes to the human body and its adaptation (or lack thereof). Also affected were animals, weather, the magnetic fieldeverything you think could be affected was, and in ways you wouldn't imagine.

I could deal with the angsty Julia and her blooming relationship with Seth because of the steady trickle of information she released during her narration.

I thought this novel would lighten my spirits, due to its title, but don't expect it to. You're not making the mark you think you are. For me, I feel nothing but anomie. Humankind is *sigh*

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details