Book Review-A Children's Bible

A Children's Bible

by Lydia Millet

YA Fiction

2020

224 pages

Just to be clear, this book is not actually a bible. But it is a refreshing journey into the ‘what if’ of the eventual ‘big storm’. Staunchly YA, with nods to the younger MG brethren, this is a romp with fascinating insights. Wonderful dialogue keeps the dozens of characters alive and distinct, not an easy task when the ages vary so greatly. When I say staunchly YA, what I really mean is anti-adult. A regular dose of parental malfeasance makes it easy to identify with the children in that regard. Thanks to Lydia Millet’s careful voice I was able to take a frank look at myself and my friends-and what our antics must look like to our kids.

A Children’s Bible is a perfect summer read. This apocalyptic tale starts at a rented beach house where a group of college chums are housing their kids for the summer. Impressive enough at the onset, the grounds and the mini mansion fit the dozen or so families but leaves much to be desired. The adults are consumed with impressing each other with what they have amassed in material wealth. In exchanged for their vigor the various sets of parents have accepted paunch bellies and substance abuse issues. Investments and real estate dominate the dinner conversations, boredom is everywhere. The children, whom would normally be natural enemies in this situation, are drawn together in solidarity.

Sides are quickly taken, whether the parents know it or not. Games way beyond hide-n-seek are developed by the younger class and there more than a few close calls with severe danger. Numerous devious ploys are undertaken by the teenage class before the onslaught of weather besets the troop. Mild vandalism and petty theft top the list teenage pranks. Pot, booze and sleeping on the beach round out the top 10. When a yacht anchors off the shore the teens find out what real money looks like. The book takes a curious turn when much of the crew join the rich kids for a boat party. All the while the looming storm on the horizon is growing.

The rich kids leave before the hurricane hits but teach a few lessons as they go. Once the severity of the storm sets in, the parents do not deal well. A haphazard hunkering down turns what could have been a workable situation into a frantic search for resources. The situation quickly devolves along with their adults’ ability to cope under the pressures. Sickness and a lost cohort force the kids into action. Delusional adult debauchery pushes the kids even further toward the task of providing for themselves. Given the fathers are more concerned with their security deposits than their children, the kids embolden themselves to leave the compound. The group of teens find cohesion, first with camaraderie, then in protection and finally survival.

The book turns quickly but Ms. Millett guides you deftly. A knack for call backs kept the world full and the devastation rises continually. There are enough folds in the plot to keep you going and much of the action is suspenseful. Clumsy romance, youthful disdain and conflicted intelligence all rear their head in this work.

I won't say anything about the ending. I leave it to you to pick up this title at your local library or bookstore. All in all, a very satisfying read with compelling narratives and frank, poetic look through the eyes of the uninitiated. Something we owe ourselves to do. Funnier than this topic should allow, there is a lightness, a tightness in this work that is confidence building. I highly recommend reading this book before summer is over, but if you wait till the fall it will likely be just a good.

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