By Antonia Honeywell
Published by Orion (19 February 2015)
ISBN: 978-0297871491
Publisher's description
WELCOME TO LONDON
BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Oxford Street burned for three weeks
The British Museum is squatted by ragtag survivors
The Regent's Park camps have been bombed
THE NAZARETH ACT HAS COME INTO FORCE
IF YOU CAN'T PRODUCE YOUR IDENTITY CARD, YOU'RE GOING TO BE SHOT
Lalla, 16, has grown up sheltered from the new reality by her visionary father, Michael Paul. But now the chaos has reached their doorstep. Michael has promised Lalla and her mother that they will escape. Escape is a ship big enough to save 500 people.
BUT ONLY THE WORTHY WILL BE CHOSEN
Once on board, as day follows identical day, Lalla's unease grows.
Where are they going?
What does her father really want?
WELCOME TO LONDON
BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Oxford Street burned for three weeks
The British Museum is squatted by ragtag survivors
The Regent's Park camps have been bombed
THE NAZARETH ACT HAS COME INTO FORCE
IF YOU CAN'T PRODUCE YOUR IDENTITY CARD, YOU'RE GOING TO BE SHOT
Lalla, 16, has grown up sheltered from the new reality by her visionary father, Michael Paul. But now the chaos has reached their doorstep. Michael has promised Lalla and her mother that they will escape. Escape is a ship big enough to save 500 people.
BUT ONLY THE WORTHY WILL BE CHOSEN
Once on board, as day follows identical day, Lalla's unease grows.
Where are they going?
What does her father really want?
My verdict
The Ship is a beautifully written dystopian novel about survival. It is set in the not-too-distant future; there are many remnants from this current time period, which makes the story particularly realistic and terrifying.
While London burns and the population lives in poverty and chaos, a 16-year-old girl called Lalla is over-protected by her parents in their comfortable flat in Central London. She has grown up with no friends and little contact with the outside world; her only form of entertainment is visiting The British Museum daily, watching the exhibits gradually disappear and helping the homeless people who have set up camp there.
Throughout her childhood, Lalla has listened to her parents speak about a large ship, which her father is building to take them to a better place. Then as civilised society comes to an end, it is time for Lalla and her family to make that journey.
Her father claims that he has built the ship for her, to save her from the chaos, and has hand-picked each one of its 500 occupants. But as time goes on, Lalla begins to realise that the ship is becoming less of a home and more of prison.
The Ship follows a voyage - not only of the ship, but also Lalla's own voyage of self-discovery. The thought-provoking book flows from beginning to end, full of questions and moral issues.
This amazing debut is creepy and unique and I didn't want it to end. In fact the ending left me wanting more, and I am now desperate to discover the next stage in Lalla's journey.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While London burns and the population lives in poverty and chaos, a 16-year-old girl called Lalla is over-protected by her parents in their comfortable flat in Central London. She has grown up with no friends and little contact with the outside world; her only form of entertainment is visiting The British Museum daily, watching the exhibits gradually disappear and helping the homeless people who have set up camp there.
Throughout her childhood, Lalla has listened to her parents speak about a large ship, which her father is building to take them to a better place. Then as civilised society comes to an end, it is time for Lalla and her family to make that journey.
Her father claims that he has built the ship for her, to save her from the chaos, and has hand-picked each one of its 500 occupants. But as time goes on, Lalla begins to realise that the ship is becoming less of a home and more of prison.
The Ship follows a voyage - not only of the ship, but also Lalla's own voyage of self-discovery. The thought-provoking book flows from beginning to end, full of questions and moral issues.
This amazing debut is creepy and unique and I didn't want it to end. In fact the ending left me wanting more, and I am now desperate to discover the next stage in Lalla's journey.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't heard of this one, or author, before. It does sound quite interesting, may need to keep an eye open for it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteLainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
It's the author's first novel. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
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