While having a conversation with a friend, I expressed my inclination towards science fiction. Although I am not a well-versed reader, yet I was recommended with the book titled The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. I was told that this book belongs to science fiction genre, and she was right. But what I wasn’t told is that its setup is in post-apocalyptic world, making it bit gloomy in it premise. Hence I would recommend this book to fans of science fiction genre who are willing to overlook the gloomy setting.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau Review
Genre : Science Fiction, Young Adult, Post-Apocalyptic
First in the series of ‘Book of Ember,’ The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau lays a very apt foundation to a intriguing story-line. Although the setting of the book is in post-apocalyptic world there is always a sliver lining present in the book from the beginning.
The city of Ember is a city located somewhere on Earth where the only sources of lights are the floodlights hanging up above the city casting a shadow of many interpretations. As the story takes-off we learn from the experiences of our leads, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow. The city is not what it used to be. There are often blackouts, leaving the city in abyss of darkness and the storerooms are empty in addition to dilapidated infrastructure at the verge of ruin. Although somehow there is a sense of panic present deep inside the hearts of people, there is nothing that they are able to do. They cannot wander in the unknown regions where there are no lights and, yet they keep on trying to find ways to leave this city forever.
Lina and Doon are among those people who want a way out from this doomed city. As the story progresses, clues and hints begins to appear in front of them that they cannot ignore. This hope of survival is what binds the story as an exciting excursion to freedom. Oh! I forgot to mention about the mayor, our antagonist. He is there to make sure that you keep yourself indulged in the guilt of lazing around reading this book.
I haven’t read the rest of the books in the series but for any young adult who wants a taste of what our future might be with the way we are consuming our resources, this is a perfect read. If not, still it’s a good read. There is a movie with the same title, released in 2008. I highly recommend you read the book instead of watching the movie. There are so many things that you might miss.
Overall, this book could had been a great introduction for young reading if it wasn’t so bleak about the future. Yet, give it a try, you might like it.
Recommended for :
This book is recommended for the fan of YA Genre. To the one interested in Dystopian Science Fiction.
About the Author :
Jeanne DuPrau is an American writer who is well known for her series The Book of Ember of YA genre. Jeanne DuPrau spends several hours of every day at her computer, thinking up sentences. She has this quote taped to her wall: “A writer is someone for whom writing is harder than it is for other people”
She has written four novels, six books of non-fiction, and quite a few essays and stories. Jeanne DuPrau has been a teacher, an editor and a technical writer. The People of Sparks is her second novel and the sequel to The City of Ember. She lives in California, where she keeps a big garden and a small dog.
Review by : edwardalchemist
Also Read another Post Apocalyptic Book’s review : Sinners by Naveen Durgaraju
