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winecellarlibrary 's review for:
After the Flood
by Kassandra Montag
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
After the Flood was Libraries Transform's #ltbookpick in October. I love the idea of fostering a collective discussion on social media about a book! I hope there will be many more to come!
After the Flood is a post-apolcalyptic dystopian novel about a mother's relentless determination to find her missing daughter. While Myra was still pregnant with her youngest daughter, Pearl, her husband whisked away their five-year-old daughter Row, and due to the flood waters, Myra was unable to reach him in time to stop him. Now that most of the world is covered by water, Myra and Pearl travel from port to port selling the fish they catch on the boat Myra's grandfather built. When she has finally given up hope, she discovers that Row is living in a colony in Greenland. The problem is, girls like Row are enslaved on Breeder ships at the age of 13, and Myra is determined to reach her before that happens.
Myra will capitalize on every opportunity to reach her daughter in Greenland, no matter the cost. On the one hand, this is a redeemable and admirable trait. On the other, she is risking the life of Pearl and countless others in her quest. And the worst part is, Pearl is completely aware of it. Pearl feels that she has lived her life in the shadow of her sister and often does things just to get her mother's attention. Dangerous things, that lead to unsavory consequences.
Now is this an unrealistic plot point? I don't think so. I could easily see any mother throwing caution to the wind to save one of her cubs, believing in a false sense of security surrounding the cub she has with her. It's heartbreaking to read, but relatable, too.
The story moved forward at a good pace, and though it was well written, it did not evoke much emotion. I did not feel connected to Myra whatsoever. I was frustrated with her poor choices (such as sleeping with a man to sway him into doing her bidding, despite someone else being obviously highly invested in her...oh the sexual tension there...). But at the same time, I can't blame her, because she will fight tooth and nail to get what she wants, no matter who is standing in her way.
Upon further reflection while writing this review, I have changed my rating from 3 to 4 stars. This book is haunting and raw, and there is so much to consider. If you were living in her situation, could you--would you--do it better?
After the Flood was Libraries Transform's #ltbookpick in October. I love the idea of fostering a collective discussion on social media about a book! I hope there will be many more to come!
After the Flood is a post-apolcalyptic dystopian novel about a mother's relentless determination to find her missing daughter. While Myra was still pregnant with her youngest daughter, Pearl, her husband whisked away their five-year-old daughter Row, and due to the flood waters, Myra was unable to reach him in time to stop him. Now that most of the world is covered by water, Myra and Pearl travel from port to port selling the fish they catch on the boat Myra's grandfather built. When she has finally given up hope, she discovers that Row is living in a colony in Greenland. The problem is, girls like Row are enslaved on Breeder ships at the age of 13, and Myra is determined to reach her before that happens.
Myra will capitalize on every opportunity to reach her daughter in Greenland, no matter the cost. On the one hand, this is a redeemable and admirable trait. On the other, she is risking the life of Pearl and countless others in her quest. And the worst part is, Pearl is completely aware of it. Pearl feels that she has lived her life in the shadow of her sister and often does things just to get her mother's attention. Dangerous things, that lead to unsavory consequences.
Now is this an unrealistic plot point? I don't think so. I could easily see any mother throwing caution to the wind to save one of her cubs, believing in a false sense of security surrounding the cub she has with her. It's heartbreaking to read, but relatable, too.
The story moved forward at a good pace, and though it was well written, it did not evoke much emotion. I did not feel connected to Myra whatsoever. I was frustrated with her poor choices (such as sleeping with a man to sway him into doing her bidding, despite someone else being obviously highly invested in her...oh the sexual tension there...). But at the same time, I can't blame her, because she will fight tooth and nail to get what she wants, no matter who is standing in her way.
Upon further reflection while writing this review, I have changed my rating from 3 to 4 stars. This book is haunting and raw, and there is so much to consider. If you were living in her situation, could you--would you--do it better?