The Age Of Miracles is a story as told by Julia, a teenage girl living in California during a time when the Earth is mysteriously slowing to a halt. The ‘slowing’ as its called is explained as it were via accounts from news reports mentioned thru the book, but there is no definitive explanation why. It happens very gradually however, allowing Julia’s story to unfold through several years.
During this period she falls in love, makes and loses a friend, has her heart broken, realizes what distrust is, and generally learns about life. All as she and the world around her experience dramatic change that is occasionally welcome, such as snow suddenly falling in her home State California for example, but for the most part foretells a distinct possibility that the world is coming to its end.
I bought this via Kindle app on a whim. I felt my reading had been limited to mostly basketball books, history and biographies, and I wanted to read something more contemporary and different. I chose this book at random as it was listed amongst the top ten books for June 2012.
Let me tell you right now that while certainly different, this is exactly the kind of book I would want to read, and I am not even remotely disappointed. I figured the reason isn’t necessarily the story. While compelling, author Karen Walker’s story of a normal young woman’s struggle in the midst of slow chaos isn’t the reason you enjoy this book.
The reason you buy this book is the writing. The encompassing, poetry – like, heart rendingly beautiful, gripping, tender and thoroughly gratifying writing. It’s as if the author found the quickest path to your emotions and filled it with words. Julia may be just walking home alone by the sidewalk, after yet another confusing day at school, and you can hear the breeze in the yellowing trees and see leaves falling around her path, all the while feeling the contrast as it conflicts with the loneliness in her heart.
This is a book you will either thoroughly enjoy or not at all. And especially after the fact that this has to be one of the saddest endings I have ever read. In fact it is so melancholic that I didn’t think it was a good idea to recommend it.
What changed my mind however, and decide to give it as high a recommendation as I could, was again, the writing. Like the protagonists in the best romantic novels never end up with each other, true drama is when things do not necessarily end up roses (I’m trying really hard not to give the ending right now).
The story may be as far from ‘feel – good’ as can be, but as far as emotions go the journey the author will take you is one you won’t regret or forget. The impact of this book on me is amazing. And until today, 2 weeks after I read it, I’m still conflicted with its story vis a vis its storytelling, but nevertheless am convinced this is one of the best pieces of literature I have ever had the fantastic luck to read.