Luminous, haunting, unforgettable, The Age of Miracles is a stunning fiction debut by a superb new writer, a story about coming of age during extraordinary times, about people going on with their lives in an era of profound uncertainty.
On a seemingly ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, 11-year-old Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the earth has suddenly begun to slow. The days and nights grow longer and longer, gravity is affected, the environment is thrown into disarray. Yet as she struggles to navigate an ever-shifting landscape, Julia is also coping with the normal disasters of everyday life--the fissures in her parents’ marriage, the loss of old friends, the hopeful anguish of first love, the bizarre behavior of her grandfather who, convinced of a government conspiracy, spends his days obsessively cataloging his possessions. As Julia adjusts to the new normal, the slowing inexorably continues.
With spare, graceful prose and the emotional wisdom of a born storyteller, Karen Thompson Walker has created a singular narrator in Julia, a resilient and insightful young girl, and a moving portrait of family life set against the backdrop of an utterly altered world.
Age of Miracles can be brought via Simon & Schuster Australia and any information regarding the author and book can be found HERE
My review
3. 5 stars
Thought provoking, fresh and realistic.
The Age of Miracles is a wonderfully written story, unlike any I have ever read before. This alone had me intrigued and keen to delve in .
I was enthralled and had it read in no time at all. The writing was easy , and the book paced well .
This book is told from a young girl Julia's pov - her story of the * slowing * its occurrences and how time is added to our 24 hour clock.
The earth slows its pace and instead of having a usual 24 hour clock time every day the clock gains time.
Days and nights are longer, the routines of life are affected including the tides, the animals and people. It affects the every day living of life. Not only humans but animals and the atmosphere and climate.
People have had to learn to live with the change including Julie and her family. Strong friendships are lost along the way, one particular one gained. Love lost and heartbreak endured.
I did like the young love story between Seth and Julia. It was sweet, I was sad to see certain things happen and would love to have at least had some hea lol.
I did read this book very quickly , I found it an easy read with fantastic descriptions. I really loved the way this author wrote. She had enough depth in her words to float me along at a great pace and to also enjoy the story. Her words brought her story to life, and the characters , both main and secondary were very believable and real.
In these certain events if they should happen the story seems quiet realistic.
My only issue was the way in which the story ended. I felt I was left high and dry not knowing what was going to happen. We know the slowing continued, the earth continued but I would like to have seen more. A finale so to speak.
I felt we had this great story line going somewhere and then nothing.. No end conclusion..
But overall - I did really enjoy this authors writing style. Loved her vivid descriptions and in depth detail into thoughts, feelings and surroundings.
I would recommend this book to all who like a change of pace, and story. It really was thought provoking and realistic .
Big thank you to Simon & Schuster for supplying me with the book for review for my honest opinion.
