I am reviewing is a novel called Children of the Dust (Children of the Dust - Louise Lawrence)

Member Name: Djpat

Product:	Children of the Dust - Louise Lawrence
Date:	18/03/06 (1075 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: the results of mankinds wrong doing

Disadvantages: could show more depth

The book I am reviewing is a novel called Children of the Dust by Louise Lawrence. It is priced at $11.43. It was first published in Great Britain by the Bodley Head in 1985, then republished by Red Fox in 1995 and once again republished by Red Fox in 2002.

The novel is a science fiction novel and this is shown from the strong evidence is what is taking place and what is going on such as the nuclear bombing mutants and the survival of mankind. The main characters in the novel are Sarah, Catherine, William, Veronica, Bill, General Macallister, Erica Kowlanski, Ophelia, Dr Stevenson, Dwight, Simon, Grandfather Harden, Laura, Sowerby, Harris, Lilith and blind Kate. The novel is split into three parts and is the story of Sarah, Ophelia and Simon these three people are distantly related as is told to us at the beginning of the parts but is unknown to the three. The novel begins in a grim fashion with the build up to absolute destruction by nuclear bombing as is shown with the quote “Everyone thought, when the alarm bell rang, that is was just another fire practice. But bombs had already fallen on Hamburg and Leningrad, the headmaster said that a nuclear attack was imminent.” With this quote the author establishes in our minds that this is the end of the world as we know it and with the short sharp sentences firmly pastes in our minds the fear and horror of the attack. This links in with the science fiction conventions because of what is happening and the setting. In the first part of the novel it is highly informative of what is happening with the nuclear attack. Gradually in the first part of the novel you realise that Catherine is the chosen one to go on she is very careful about what she does and decides carefully before she attempts to do something. In the second part you realise that it is Ophelia’s duty to help the mutants and in the last part you realise that it is Simon’s duty to find out what is going on and who he is.

The basic plot of the story is set around Bristol England in the first part of the story then moves underground into a bunker in the second part then back to Bristol England in the final part. The novel portrays many different views towards the world and I think this shows that the author is experienced and knows what she is talking about. After the disaster and tragedy mankind is divided down the middle into mutant and normal. The people who lived inside the bunker were the same as when they had gone in but the people on the outside changed into to mutants. The author seems to indicate the bias humankind has most of the time. As the story goes through the book you get a kind of unusual attachment for example when you know they’re going to do something bad or life threatening your like don’t do it. You feel emotion when you read the book it is almost as if you are there with them. In the novel it also explores dark themes of war, justice and survival and puts forward the question how far would you go to survive. The story is excellently written in my opinion it shows a great understanding of the science fiction conventions and in the way it describes the information. It is almost an extremist view on human society that I totally agree with if we do not end the tension between countries and do not resolve world problems I have no doubt we will be in that situation ourselves. The ending is good in an uplifting sort of way and shows that there is hope for mankind even after the disaster of nuclear war. The ending is a great set off for a sequel.

This a great read for all ages especially teenage children it shows us that we should not take what we have for granted and how easy it is to lose all that we have. It is excellent in showing teenage children that possessions are not absolutely everything. The story shows great emotion and is a fantastic read. If you only take one thing from this book it should be that the world is not just about possessions but of love and personality and should be cared for just as we care for ourselves. I gave the novel 8 and a half stars for emotional depth and a great informing of what is going on. I hope I have encouraged you to read the book and if you do I ensure you will enjoy it as much as I have.

Written by Patrick Graham of Yr 9 Oakhill college

Note: I also handed this in as assignment fingers crossed i get a good mark!!!!!

Summary: The story shows great emotion and is a fantastic read.