After the Flood is a compelling story of one woman's quest to find her daughter in a post apocalyptic world. The waters have risen over most of the world due to climate change and Myra lives hand-to-mouth with her daughter Pearl aboard their makeshift boat, making a rough living through fishing. But there's an event in her past which haunts her- her husband Jacob leaving her after the floods came, and taking their first daughter Row with him.
Why did he do this? Well, we don't know, although we do find out he had been wanting to leave prior to this and wanted Myra to come with him, but she wouldn't leave her grandfather, who was building a boat of his own to ride the waves. Myra has all but given up hope of finding Row when one day she gets a clue to her whereabouts. She's so far away it seems almost impossible but once she knows her daughter is alive she will stop at nothing.
From there we sail over a vast part of the post- flood world, and the world itself is fascinating. Mountains reach above the waves and many are underwater as well, not to mention cities. That's part of the problem for me though in terms of the worldbuilding. I mean, sea level rise that covers entire continents? The Rockies underwater for the most part, Nebraska being inundated by waves that roar across the prairies, submerging everything? It seems a bit much.
I had to suspend my disbelief at this and just go with it, and after a somewhat iffy start I got sucked into this and was along for the ride. And for the most part I really liked this. There are raider ships, everyone for themselves mentalities among many survivors, and a world of mountaintops protruding from the seas and trader settlements. Allies become available but who can Myra trust? That becomes a serious issue as the story progresses.
In the end I enjoyed this, and I may have shed a tear or two along the way, but it didn't quite rise to greatness for me. The improbability of the world affected my feelings a bit, and I skimmed a little at times, but I think my biggest issue was that things seemed to happen to further the plot, and I found that unrealistic. Need allies? Something happens to provide them. Need to get to a certain part of the world? Something happens to make that possible. Having said this, I don't want to diminish the book because it is good. It just didn't amaze me. This is a debut novel and this author is one to keep an eye out for.
Wow, despite some of its flaws, this one sounds intense and very emotional. I almost forgot that I had a copy of this, I won it from a giveaway last year. Looks like it might be worth picking it up and giving it a try.
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
That's the worst! I want my unbelievable books to be totally believable! I'm glad it was able to reach you emotionally, but I'm sorry you weren't wowed by it as a whole. The cover rocks... :)
ReplyDeleteLindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Greg
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of this too but just haven't had time to read it. I love the idea of cities and mountains underwater, so I'd love to see for myself how the author handles it.
ReplyDeleteIt can't be too unrealistic. That would annoy me
ReplyDeleteSuspension of disbelief only goes so far with me. I’m willing to give some leeway but at a point it just takes me out of the story and that’s all I can concentrate on. Even so, this one does sound really interesting and it did get an emotional response from you, so that’s something.
ReplyDeleteI really like post apocalyptic stories and this one is a little different. That is a lot of water though...glad you were able to just go with it. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHuh that sounds interesting. Definitely unique for sure, even if a little not realistic.
ReplyDeleteAsh@ JennReneeRead
That sounds good even if it wasn't always so believable.
ReplyDeletetoo bas it wasn't a bit more for this one
ReplyDeleteoooohhhh this one sounds like something I would really love! I'm always in for "everyone for themselves mentalities" stories LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm gad you enjoyed it despite the "pushing the plot" nuances and well the tears and all :)
It sounds like it hit you in the feelings so that's good! But too bad it wasn't a tad more realistic.
ReplyDeleteI've read a lot of post apocalyptic books that are good, but only a few that are amazing. I don't know why. Maybe authors get so caught up in their imaginary apocalyptic worlds they forget the importance of character development and plot.
ReplyDeleteNot too bad if you moved you to tears I guess. Too bad it wasn't the whole package.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's worth
It sounds like it has potential.
ReplyDeleteI've been recommended this dozen's of times. I like the idea behind it. I'm sorry to hear it fell a little flat for you.
ReplyDeleteWow, all this from a debut novel! This sounds spectacular Greg and so incredibly emotional. Wonderful review Greg, looking forward to checking it out!
ReplyDeleteThe cover is pretty eye catching. It's a pity it didn't turn out to be the brilliant read we always hope for but at least it wasn't rubbish either!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this one around a lot. I am curious about it but don't know if it is one I'll pick up anytime soon. Great review though!
ReplyDeleteI would be quite annoyed with Nebraska being completely under water, on account of living here and all!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting Greg. And I love that cover!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this book around and it is billed as a dystopian-ish read, but I can see how you would have to suspend your disbelief to enjoy it. It does sound like a solid read and something I might enjoy. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, not sure how I'd get on with this one. Overly convenient story progressions irritate me!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about suspension of disbelief. I mean, I was obviously able to also, but I agree with you, I kept wondering HOW. I mean, I guess ALL of the world was underwater, save a few REALLY high mountain points? That was how I figured. But yeah some things came a little easy, but then not everything did (like certain deaths, and how some things really seemed to NOT go their way) so I think it was a good balance. I definitely shed some tears myself! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis is one I want to read, I thought the concept sounded cool, but I will temper my expectations a little for when I get around to it!
ReplyDeleteHa damn! I get what you mean by things being convenient and happening to further the plot. It usually loses some of its luster for me too!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this everywhere, but yours is the first review I've read. It's different than I was expecting!
ReplyDeleteI suppose since it's a debut novel, we can be lenient 😉. I don't read much adult fiction, but I'll keep this one in mind.
ReplyDeleteThat's frustrating about some parts being hard to believe. It does sound like a good story though. I'll be sure to set my expectations accordingly if I decide to read it.
ReplyDeleteScience being off like that really bothers me so I don't think I could read this. Thanks for sharing your review. 👍✨
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like overall this one is a pretty good story with some emotions packed in too. But I completely understand agree that having to stretch the disbelief too much can bring the story down a bit...
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