About the book
In the midst of a mysterious environmental crisis, as London is submerged below flood waters, a woman gives birth to her first child, Z. Days later, the family are forced to leave their home in search of safety. As they move from place to place, shelter to shelter, their journey traces both fear and wonder as Z’s small fists grasp at the things he sees, as he grows and stretches, thriving and content against all the odds.
This is a story of new motherhood in a terrifying setting: a familiar world made dangerous and unstable, its people forced to become refugees. Startlingly beautiful, Megan Hunter’s The End We Start From is a gripping novel that paints an imagined future as realistic as it is frightening. And yet, though the country is falling apart around them, this family’s world – of new life and new hope – sings with love.
Published by Picador
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MY REVIEW
An intriguing little book that really packs a punch! Only 127 pages long, but the story is powerfully told with very little words, structure or too much detail so that you as a reader fill in the blanks for this bleak world that the author has created. ooh and the cover is rather stunning too! It’s what made me pick it up in the first place!
London is flooded. Humanity is falling apart and pushed out of the cities to seek a new life elsewhere. And amidst this nightmare world, a woman is preparing to have her first child. All the fears and panic of impending motherhood are explored as the family pack up and try to carry on in any way they can. Everyone is out for themselves, there are food shortages and the worst side of people is being shown.
I loved the contrast of what is supposed to be a happy time in their life, with the doom all around them. It was an unusual writing style that did take a short while to get my head around, but I think it made more of an impact as a story in this way. Very evocative and cleverly told.
If you’re looking for a quick read with a strong impact, then I’d recommend this!
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