The Children’s Bible – Lydia Millet

TL;Dr: A casual stroll through climate apocalypse or maybe religious allegory?

I liked it. It’s written from a young adult perspective, mostly. A young person who’s parents fail them in the face of disasters – some climate related, others less concrete.

The tone is very much that of a diary of a 20 year old. Derision for the.parents (they deserve it), little awareness of their own mortality. It’s pretty hilarious at points.

Evie is our narrator. Which instantly makes me think of a biblical allegory. And there are plenty of biblical themes (spoilers ahead):

• Jack takes the role of Noah, and interpreter of sign language and the children’s Bible itself.
• Our heroes move from an idyllic coastal scene (garden of Eden?) increasingly towards civilization
• At one point, a character is more or less crucified. There are angles (trail angles but they slowly evolve to more mystical characters)

There are more Christian themes. I’m not really sure it holds up, since there also seems to be a lot of Roman/Grecian mythology themes: a group of adventurers on an epic journey,  the Parents are over taken by the youth (the titans?). And strangely found heroes and heroic (Devine?) rescue. Then the magical disappearance of the parents themselves. Again, it’s not really clear cut, but it seems close at times.

All set on the back drop of climate disaster and civil collapse. But… Slow motion collapse (which seems pretty realistic to me). At points civilization comes roaring (well creeping) back to save the day, but once again ebbs before the end of the book.

Throughout Evie cares for her younger brother Jack, who’s decoded the world by interpreting the Children’s Bible. Spoilers again: God is Nature, Jesus is science & technology (think about it: both Jesus and Science/Technology can walk on water right?), and the Holy Ghost? Well, that one I won’t spoil.

Good book, a bit bewildering but a page turners and worth a read.

All set