Another book I bought direct from the author. I suspect it might have been Continuum 2024. He’s a nice man, seems somewhat quiet and reserved, but I’ve only met him while he’s been flogging his books…sorry, selling his books. Sometimes Aussie slang just pops in. But why is his persona important? Well, it isn’t really, but it’s interesting how some of the nicest people can write such black stuff. When I’m choosing from my TBR Pile I’m definitely judging the book by its cover. I looked at the spine and decided I was up for a read of some Lachlan Walter, he’s a good author.
So much to like and so much that worries me.
Let’s look at the structure of the book first
It’s set in several parts with chapter headings for each part. The first part is called ‘Emergence and Accommodation – Years 1-5’. There are four chapters under this heading. Each chapter is distinct from the others, yet there is enough commonality to feel consecutive. The second part is labelled ‘War – Years 6-10’ with another three chapters. There are at least two other parts, but I’m not going to flip through the entire book looking for them.
If I’d paid attention to the chapter headings, or the part headings, I would have been less confused. I rarely read chapter headings (this is causing me an issue with my current book). The major headings divide the book up into four distinct parts, each with their own chapters to help us understand what the headings were about. These major headings are important divisions and I should have read them. It makes it much harder to understand how the chapters fit together to create a whole.
Each chapter is a short story. There is some segues between some chapters and little between others. Going from the end of one chapter to the next major heading is a bit jump. Often in time, sometimes also in place.
I would have liked a Table of Contents at the beginning. It would have made it easier to understand the structure. Part way through the book I started referring back to the first major heading thinking that page was the Table of Contents and was totally confused when it didn’t correspond with what I was reading. It was only when I was much further through and noticed a major heading that I stopped to flip through properly and realised what had happened. Yep, I hadn’t noticed the major headings or even the chapter headings.
Another thing I cringed at
This book is set in Australia. Any apocalyptic book that’s set in the country I’m in gives me conniptions. It makes me feel the book is more real than it has any right to be. And this book with its very enormous monsters should not feel real, and yet it does. I’ve read many apocalyptic books, the ones set in Australia always make me feel more worried than I should. Although, if the writing is mediocre then that feeling is lessened. This book however, had me in conniptions most of the way through.
Things I loved
I loved the writing. As I expected from a book written by Walter, it is beautifully written. It has all the descriptions that are needed, and enough left to the imagination. I am really grateful I read Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama and translated by Jeffrey Angles first. I feel it would have had less impact on me if I didn’t know where Walter was coming from. If you’ve read either of the Godzilla books then you’ll understand more of the background of this book. If not, you’ll find things a little more challenging.
Once the world had gotten used to the monsters and started to adapt I was able to relate more to the world. The book starts off as apocalyptic and then ends up post-apocalyptic. I’ve read far more post-apocalyptic books and I find I relate one to the other and agree with how they’ve been written. The last chapter is all about education and growth, the coming of age. I can’t say more than that, I’m not keen on spoilers. But it felt as if society was coming through to a different era.
I’ve had so much trouble with my books recently. I’ve really struggled to put them down and getting something I often call sleep. This book was no different. Recently I’ve been spending Saturday afternoon lying down and reading. It gives me the chance to spend some time reading. I finished this book last Saturday while lying down. It gave me the appearance of having done something while having rest time. But when I look back at the business card I used as a bookmark I find so little written on it. I think I was too engrossed in the book to take time out to make notes. Maybe I should tell authors off for writing good books.
Anyway, I absolutely recommend this if you like this genre. Truly a good choice.