Abi Curtis

While this book has an intriguing science fiction premise – much of the planet is underwater from global warming -- the narration was introspective and journal-like, building the character and history of the protagonist over any semblance of a plot. The meandering story is beautifully told but felt lacking since very little happened until the last 10th of the novel, and that was a very unexpected “twist” which was unfortunately not satisfying. Still, I enjoyed the almost meditative journey of the main character and the chapters told from the perspective of a wooly rat, for the lyrical writing itself.… (mais)

Nerissa is a veterinarian on a modern day Noah's ark, lost at sea after the polar ice caps melted to flood the earth. The submarine on which she and other survivalists travel, the "Baleen," is possibly the last collection of humans and animals left in the world. In chapters alternating between the present and Nerissa's life prior to the flood, the author describes the gradual disintegration of society as more countries are lost to the rising sea. Nerissa and her fellow companions ponder their future and mourn the loss of their loved ones, while Nerissa wonders how she was selected to board the Baleen in the first place. While I didn't enjoy the animal perspectives as much as the human interactions, I found myself captivated by the unique nature of this apocalyptic novel and the poetic writing.… (mais)