The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, 270 pagesyoung adult challenge; genre: sci-fi
I haven't seen the movie. From the pictures inside (I have the book published after the movie, including scenes from the movie) the movie looks much more fantastic than the book. The book however, is a great suspenseful read, and doesn't need any jazzing up. Why do we enjoy a suspense in a book that would translate in a movie to not enough suspense?
Lina and Doon, age twelve, are receiving their assignments for jobs in the City of Ember, reminiscent of The Giver. It seems like a more primitive society, with little in the way of supplies, as if this town has been surviving on a fixed amount of materials. Everything is reworked and recycled. Electricity is limited and unreliable. Doon trades jobs with Lina to be able to work underground in the Pipeworks, hoping to be able to make the Generator more dependable, even if no one really knows how electricity works. Lina works as a messenger and gets to see all different places in the city.
Something is not quite right, as there are black market goods - canned peaches! available to some people, while the rest of them are surviving on the few vegetables grown in the greenhouse. Lina discovers some Instructions, that sends her and Doon on a chase to escape from Ember. The book is really a part of a trilogy, as the first book ends, but sets up a whole other story, that I can't wait to read. My son has the next two books, and I'll get to them soon!
It's a book where the reader can guess some things that Lina and Doon have no clue about, and the mystery is in them figuring out where they are, and for the reader, how this all happened. Lina and Doon get some of their questions answered, the reader only somewhat, necessitating the next book to find out why this has all happened.
I bought the trilogy, recently, and I'm just waiting for a time to start squeezing in the Ember books. I'm glad to know you enjoyed the first one!
ReplyDeleteThe movie was quite good. Kiddo and I really enjoyed it. I hope to read the book to him sometime soon, or maybe just skip to book 2.
ReplyDeleteI have this on my TBR list, but it hasn't been there for long. I had no interest in it until I discovered that I kind of like this genre. I'm happy to see you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI'm very curious about this trilogy. And your comparison to The Giver is making me want to read it even more.
ReplyDeleteI have had this book for a while and still haven't gotten around to reading it. I don't think the movie played here, which is not surprising!
ReplyDeleteI liked this series, although I didn't get into the 3rd book as much as the others. I shed a tear at the end of The Diamond Darkhold - I thought the ending fit well.
ReplyDeleteI have this in my TBR pile to read. My mum recently read it and enjoyed it. I have yet to see the movie but it is due out on dvd here soon so might get it out to watch.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to have to read these. Anything that is compared to The Giver is a must read for me!
ReplyDeleteI plan on reading this before seeing the movie. Wonder which one I will like more?
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie which I enjoyed, but I think I will enjoy the book much more and am looking forward to reading it.
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