I really enjoyed Children of the Dust by Louise Lawrence. I read this book years ago and it struck a chord with me. This was one of the first dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels I read and it was a great introduction into the genre. This novel makes you think very deeply about our world. Are we taking care of it? Will we really end up like this? Lawrence has written a realistic, informative account of life after such a great disaster. Though Children of the Dust is quite dark and hope seems lost throughout much of the story, there were significant glimmers of humans recovering and progressing that it was enough for me to enjoy the book. Additionally, Children of the Dust ended on a very positive note and I was filled with hope for the future. The story is narrated from three perspectives: Sarah, Ophelia and Simon-three very different characters that are intrinsically connected. This multiple-narration is something that I haven't observed in many dystopian books so I was very much enthralled. Instead of discovering the effects of this 'nuclear disaster' on only one generation, I was able to learn about three generations and thus know of the impacts in the long term. Also, Lawrence has written the story in such a way that it was possible for me to sympathise with all three narrators. This had been an aspect I'd been worried about previous to reading the book, however, the multiple-narration did not affect me in developing emotional attachments with all three narrators. I liked the fact that Sarah, Ophelia and Simon all learnt and developed as characters. There were scenes where my heart was wrenching because of what the characters had to go through, for example, the innocence of William, Sarah's young brother, who did not understand what was happening. My only qualm with Children of the Dust was that the reason for the supposed nuclear war was not obviously stated but only hinted at. I felt as though Lawrence was telling her readers: It is enough to know that it happened. Overall, Children of the Dust was a highly enjoyable read that allowed me to delve into the minds of three generations of people affected by a nuclear disaster. I found the story very realistic and frightening in the possibility that it may happen one day. For me, Children of the Dust was an unforgettable tale about survival, family and hope.Book Rating: 4.5/5 - Children of the Dust could have gone into more detail in some aspects. Concept: 4/5 - I would have liked further depth in the story. Cover: 4/5 - Very much in relation to the story, sad and poignant.
Now, don't get fooled by petite nature of the book, it holds a deep underlying mean through it's descriptive language and visual imagery. Now, straight into the book you are hit with the a common fear which can feel very relate-able, a Nuclear War. Louise Lawrence carefully but successfully shows the true nature of the pre- war and after math of a Nuclear war. She doesn't sugar-coat the subject but instead hits us with the truth. Progressing through the book, she explores the two perspectives of the aftermath, the 'mutants/sick survivors' and the 'dinosaurs in a bunker' which really asks the rhetorical question, What one will we be when the situation arises. Louise carefully plays with the aspect of mutations and how we perceive ourselves as the highest ranks in the social class system, a much deeper underlying theme of the story. Although personally I found the ending (particularly discovering the over exaggerated extent of the mutants powers)a bit lacking, I found the underlying messages thought provoking. It's not every day a book makes you sit there for a while asking yourself the hard-hitting questions of today, wondering who we truly are and, if there were mutants like the ones in the books, who are we to judge them as mutants when it is they who are the true survivors and not we.
What do You think about Children Of The Dust (2002)?
I love thsi book for the way it doesn't rose tint the reality of nuclear war. Also the different ways the surviors deal with their situation is at times sad and other times amazing.All teenage children should read this. Hopefully it will bring home the message that global nuclear war means the end of the human race as we know it.
—Maria Frank
The opening story is so bleak it can't really fail to be somewhat convincing, though towards the final story the book took a bit of a mad turn, running headlong into more of a science fiction premise with rather too much of (what I assumed to be) internal monologue which was definitely getting slightly ponderous at certain points.Also, the second and third chapters are very co-incidence heavy, with the ending being more than slightly bizarre - seeming to wrap things up a bit too tidily and quickly.Looking at what I've just written, it doesn't sound like I massively enjoyed it - though I did find it a page turner and finished it quite quickly. I'd definitely say that the first of the three stories is the best part of the book.The book is classified as 'Teenage Fiction' and I do recall reading it (well, starting it, anyway) as a teenager and finding it all a bit grim!
—Matthew
I re read this over two days as I'm about to teach it again after a few years gap. I'd forgotten how powerful it is and how all the characters are linked by family. Very descriptive, utterly chilling, ultimately hopeful. Would humans evolve into a better species, homo superior? In the world today we have worse that lunatic governments, we have blood thirsty fanatics who behead people and then film it for YouTube. There won't be a nuclear disaster because of a war between nations, but a fanatical group hell bent on destroying everything they hate and don't understand? It's very possible. Which is why this story is still very relevant for today.
—Diane Warrington
