Post Apocalyptic Brave New World (Children of the Dust - Louise Lawrence)

Member Name: angiepanj

Product:	Children of the Dust - Louise Lawrence
Date:	13/03/02 (273 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: dramatic, uplifting, moral

Disadvantages: frightening, dark, not for the paranoid

I read this book when I was fifteen, got it from the local library in the young adults section and really enjoyed it at the time- so much so that I've been looking out for a copy ever since! This highly informative account of the aftermath of nuclear meltdown appears at firstsight to be yet another dark and dismal tale of destruction, but persevere and you'll find it full of hope for the future of humanity. Stark in places, the descriptions constract beautifully with the uplifting message behind the story, that life has a will of its own. A highly recommended scifi tale, with its roots deeply ensconced in reality, suitable for teenagers and adults alike.

The story begins in quite a grim fashion, with the build up to the apocalyptic melt-down. After the disaster, humanity is divided into two very different sets of people, those who managed to get to the bunkers before the bomb, and those who were trapped outside but managed to survive. The bunker survivors are in the same condition they were in when they first entered the bunker, where as those from the outside are beginning to evolve in new directions, as a result of the radiation exposure. The book explores the theme of prejudice, and the way in which it seems to be an intrinsic part of human society, whilst at the same time, by following the same family throughout gives you a perspective on what it is like to be on both sides of the fence. It also follows the darker themes of war and death, and asks the reader the uncomfortable question 'how far would you go to survive?'.

As the story follows one family, you get quite attached to the characters, feeling sadness when the mother sacrifices herself to save her children, and then living through the tension of the aftermath with them. The story is well written, and the characters are consistent and portrayed with great emotional depth. The book has quite an upbeat ending, suggesting that there is hope for humanity yet, and that even th
ough we have a huge potential for destruction, we also have the ability to adapt and to heal the world and ourselves.

I would say this is a great read for kids to show them what they have now and how easy it would be for them to lose it, and also hopefully, to make the next generation more aware that the stuff which happens on the news is not quite so remote as they would like to think it is.

*this is a rewrite of my earliest opinion, I'm re-writing it out of embarrassment at how bad it originally is- I know this re-write ain't great cos I no longer have the book in front of me, but believe me its an improvement! Sorry about the quality!


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