The Giver meets The Maze Runner when an enigmatic D.A.D and M.O.M attempt to cultivate a batch of genius boys and girls who will shape the future of society. Their process? To spare these children the purest form of distraction: the opposite sex.
Secluded at the Turret in upstate New York, the Parenthood molds the minds of 26 boys from infancy, creating a false state of the world – one in which people are birthed from a Living Tree, must be checked daily for Rotts, Vees or Moldus, and never want to be sent to the Corner. These children never see a female or even read the words “she”, “her” or “girl”.
However, D.A.D underestimates the changes a boy goes through puberty and learns that nurture doesn’t always win the battle versus nature. As the Alphabet Boys and Letter Girls enter their teenage years, they experience a change they cannot describe, not just physically but mentally – they begin to think for themselves.
The author of Bird Box does it again with an inventive, thought-provoking and flat out fun new novel. I love how Malerman illustrated the power of reading – it is used to shape and even constrict the minds of these kids but also becomes the spark plug for enlightenment.
The main characters and catalysts for mindfulness or mayhem (depending on the perspective) are J (boy) and K (girl). They are on par with Peeta and Catniss and/or Thomas and Teresa. I was immediately invested in their experiences and survival.
The book sets the scene quickly and takes the reader on twists and turns as the anticipation for the evitable builds. Once the cat is out of the bag, there is an unraveling of the Parenthood that turns violent and even horrifying. I can’t wait for the cinematic adaptation of this one!
Verdict: Read it! (4/5 stars)
Length: 400 pages
When: For your new YA-ish read and certainly before this inevitably gets picked up for an on-screen adaptation
Quote: But J was alone. Alone with this new voice. A voice that sounded smarter than he believed himself to be.
Also Try: The Maze Runner series by James Dashner if you have not already.
Buy Inspection by Josh Malerman