Gripping book-clubby read about a highly-politicized current issue-- vaccination.

The Herd is certainly made for discussing; you can imagine the book club talking points as you're reading. To be honest, I think the book's greatest strength is that I haven't yet read a book that has tackled this subject, presenting characters on both sides of the debate and exploring each one's reasoning. It feels honest, fair, and doesn't shy away from any of the arguments frequently thrown up about vaccines (f*** Andrew Wakefield, seriously).

To be crystal clear, however-- it does shut down the faux-scientific claims of anti-vaxxers over the course of the novel, but it is not unsympathetic to those parents who refuse vaccines out of ignorance and fear for their children. As the author states in the foreword, these parents are just trying their best to get it right for their child. The foreword also brings up the timeliness of the novel given COVID, though it was being written before that and is not about any of the issues unique to COVID and its vaccines.

While this is very much an "issue" book, the characters are well-drawn and not even close to being always likeable. Elizabeth's daughter, Clemmie, cannot be vaccinated due to early childhood illness and so the family rely on others to maintain herd immunity in order to keep her safe. Bry grew up with a severely autistic brother whose autism their mother believes stemmed from the MMR vaccine, so she vows never to vaccinate her own child.

Elizabeth and Bry are best friends until their differing views start to pose a threat to whom Elizabeth loves most. Other supporting characters take their positions on either side of the debate.

Elizabeth, Bry and others all take their turn at being sympathetic and deeply sanctimonious and annoying. I think the author did a great job of showing how easily people rile each other up on this issue. I am a fervent believer in vaccinations, but even I recoil from someone yelling in my face how I must do this and I must do that or I'm morally-challenged and selfish. I like how the author never presented this as good vs bad because, like most things, it's more complex than that.

Scattered throughout the main narrative are little snippet chapters where another point of view comes in-- a doctor, a journalist, a mother, an internet troll --all with differing opinions, and I found these short, hard-hitting chapters really effective. Here, the author does a number of things well. Arguments are made and challenged, the callousness of the internet and media is captured, and she explores why some parents try desperately to find reasons for their child's illness or depression or ADHD.

I liked it. I liked how it didn't feel preachy or didactic. One thing I didn't love was the character of Rosalyn because I did not understand why she had no purpose other than to randomly pop up and offer magical hippie wisdom. Also, all the characters were middle to upper middle class, which is typical of anti-vaxxers, and white, which I honestly don't know if that's typical of anti-vaxxers or not.

There's lots more I could drone on about but I believe my words would either be preaching to the choir or talking to a brick wall. Sometimes I just think about my grandad growing up in miserable poverty, losing a sibling to polio, a classmate to measles, and then I think about trying to explain to him the anti-vaxx movement. He didn't live to see it, but I can picture the look on his face.

The Herd is a debut novel for Emily Edwards. It is set pre-pandemic and is about whether to vaccinate your children. Elizabeth is pro-vaccination and has vaccinated both of her boys. Still, not her girl, Clemmie, whom she believed could not be vaccinated, isn't. Bry, Elizabeth's best friend, is anti-vaccine. Neither she nor her daughter has been immunised. She has been bought up to hate vaccines as her brother is non-verbal autistic, which her mother blamed on him having the MMR injection. All is fine until Bry, Alba (her daughter), and little Clemmie catches the measles, leaving Clemmie with lifelong repercussions.

The book is essentially a discussion over whether to vaccinate or not; it's well written and an encompassing read which you won't want to put down. This doesn't conclude on either side of the argument but instead presents a well-researched view on both sides. This is like a Jodi Picoult novel, courageous discussing controversial subjects. It also worked through some of the myths surrounding MMR and autism.

The characters are well developed, and various people around the court case balance either side of the argument. I connected to all four main characters and could empathise with them easily.

The twist at the end was good; I didn't see it coming, adding another dimension to the story.

I found this to be a very well written, researched story. I would recommend it to fans of Jodi Picoult.

The Herd by Emily Edwards is a debut book which is a stunning read. It is a totally engrossing read and is about vaccination. In this book it is pre-Covid and is dealing with childhood vaccinations. Elizabeth and Bryn are close friends and their daughters are close friends. Then there is a measles out break in the village where they live.
Unfortunately neither child has been vaccinated, Bryn’s brother is autistic and doesn’t speak, he lives in a home, his parents have always blamed the MMR vaccine and neither of their daughters were vaccinated or their grandchildren.
Elizabeth’s daughter Clemmie, had fits when she was younger and Elizabeth always said that their GP, at the time, said Clemmie should not be vaccinated.
Bryn, Alba and Clemmy all developed measles. Clemmie ended up in hospital with serious side effects.
Highly recommended

'The Herd' is a compulsive, thought provoking book on a timely and highly emotive subject. It would make a brilliant reading choice for a book club opening up so many avenues for discussion. It centres around two friends and their conflicts surrounding vaccinating, or not vaccinating, their young children. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't recommend it highly enough.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy of this well researched and well written book.

Thank you to Random House, NetGalley and Emily Edwards for my arc of The Herd in exchange for an honest review.

Publishing: 3rd February 2022

A timely novel which looks into differing opinions on vaccination at a time when it feels like the whole world is divided on the topic.

Elizabeth and Bry have been best friends since university and now they are married with children of their own living in the same idyllic suburb. Like chalk and cheese the two friends have a lot of differing opinions on child rearing among other things and have an agreement not to criticise one another on their different methods.

That is until the day of Elizabeth’s daughter’s birthday party when Bry tells a little white lie so as not to upset the peace, but one which has devastating consequences.

This book was wonderfully written, well researched and inspired empathy in the reader for both parties. It never steered the reader one way or the other, instead putting across both sides and evoking sympathy, horror, anger and understanding all at once.

I’ve already recommended this book to loads of people I know. A brilliant read that I can already tell will end up being a best seller.

Tense, timely and so well written, The Herd is bound for intense book club discussion in this ‘for and against’ piece of wonderful fiction about child vaccination set in a smug suburban town.

The Herd is certainly a very timely novel, focussing as it does on the vaccinate or not vaccinate debate. I wonder if it would quite so thought provoking if we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic.
Elizabeth and Bry are old friends, living in a lovely town with their husbands and families. Elizabeth’s daughter can’t be vaccinated due to early childhood seizures, Bry won’t vaccinate due to her family’s history. When measles hits the town it affects them both, but for one of them the consequences are life changing. Their friendship is destroyed and they end up facing each other in court.
I really enjoyed this novel, the characters were well rounded and the author uses other people around the court case (protesters outside, witnesses etc) to give some balance to the argument. I suspect this novel will be read by every book club and will certainly cause some heated discussions.
Thank you to #netgalley and #bantampress for allowing me to review this ARC

To vaccinate or not?

Elizabeth and Bryony are best friends they live in the same street, their husbands are friends, their lives are entwined. They also have different views on childhood vaccinations and when a tragedy falls on one of their children their friendship is torn apart.

It covers both sides of the debate to vaccinating your children and whether you are pro or against it makes for an interesting read.

It was well written and engaging and I couldn't put it down.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC

Thought provoking heartbreaking and well written. In the current climate to vaccinate or not is the big question . This book looks and 2 friends beliefs from both sides - the story travels through a the heartbreaking outcome when a child contracts measles. But the final twist at the end is shocking. Definitely a must read

This novel is a gripping read and challenges the for and against arguments for childhood vaccinations. At the same time, it is a fascinating tale about friendship and how opposing views on an important topic can drive that friendship apart. This is a great page-turner with the power to challenge the reader’s own views, and will trigger many a debate, I’m sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy of this novel.

Very timely tale about vaccinations and the difficult decisions around choosing to have your children vaccinated. The author has tried to be even handed about both sides of the MMR, but ultimately she had to follow the strong scientific evidence. This is a story with no heroes or villains; just parents trying to do the best for their children. I really liked the four main characters and had sympathy for all of them. I felt the enigmatic neighbour was underused though, although her story was very interesting.

My second book from Net Gallery and this book certainly didn't disappoint. When I first read the synopsis of this book I genuinely didn't really know that this book could be a hot topic in today's society. Even though this book focuses on the vaccination of children, a lot of the arguments in this book relate to current issues in particular surrounding the COVID-19 vaccination. The story is well written and combines the views of either side played through a harrowing story, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it was well written and reminded me of a Jodi Picoult style book; brave and courageous discussing what could be a very controversial subject. The author portrays both families stories via flashbacks to life and the build up to the story in the current day. Excellent read and I will be reading more by this author for definite.

If this book isn’t the definition of thought-provoking, I don’t know what is. I’m pretty sure that every single person has an opinion on vaccinations, especially more so with living through the last couple of years of the covid pandemic, and The Herd explores everything to do with vaccinations - the decisions, the concerns, the risks and the underlying moral question of what is right and what is wrong.

I didn’t particularly warm to either of the main characters Elizabeth or Bry but what was crystal clear was their fierce need to protect their young daughters, which was interesting due to their apparent contrasting opinions on the MMR vaccine. I think this story tries to ensure you see both sides of the debate while reinforcing what has been scientifically proven and what is not. There is a twist at the end which is really clever and one I didn’t spot coming.

It was refreshing to read a book that, although shone a light on the ever-controversial topic of vaccinations, actually wasn’t anything to do with covid despite being released during the pandemic (I hear enough about covid in the real world to not want it to creep into fictional worlds!) This is an enjoyable, well-written book that flows at a good pace and kept my brain ticking with questions throughout.

Thank you to Random House UK and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The author certainly tries to hit the zeitgeist with this book although, of course, the debate 're MMR and other childhood vaccines has raged for many years. However, although I could empathise with the distress of the parents and children, I did find it difficult to identify with any of the wealthy characters and their lifestyles and I had to look up what a "doula" was who had inspired the author to write the book
Thank you to netgalley and random house for an advance copy of this book

Vax or not Vax? That is the question in this story

I found it very hard to feel any pity for Bryony, and this really clouded my judgement on this book.
The writing style is easy, capturing the depth of their friendship, their interaction with other friends and neighbours so naturally. The POV changes a lot and this was a little disorienting, but necessary as the point of the novel was to present different viewpoints. Overall, it was a very emotional read and a discussion that I think is relevant now that we’re all in the grip of Covid and discussions on vaccinating children

Very relevant in these COVID times. Two best friends and their family’s and their different views on vaccination lead to tragedy.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing how their views had grown over the years. A thought provoking and interesting read.

Started this book and couldn't put it down, finished it in 2 sittings.
Absolutely amazing book.
It really gives you alot to think about and would make a fab bookclub book!

Very interesting and highly topical around the subject of vaccinations pre pandemic.
The story of two families from each side, the anti vaxers and the people who accept and get the vaccine for their children. Which parent is really better, as they are all only doing what they think is best for their families?
Although thought provoking, emotional and interesting, for me also really annoying and controversial. Well thought out, very middle class, and a brilliant comment on our modern society. This book had me torn, but had me ultimately thinking.
Well worth a read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the early read.

An interesting story based on what has become a huge issue for many people, vaccination.
Although written during the pandemic, the vaccine issue is written around children and young people and the regular vaccination programme offered to parents today.
Though an apparent devastating reaction many years ago, it appears that a member of the family has become seriously disabled after vaccination. This results is a lifelong campaign to avoid it happening again.
This is a heart wrenching story exploring the impact of non vaccination and the awful outcomes for several families.
I found it compelling and I was engaged with all the main characters in different ways.
It is very relevant today as the antivax movement continues as the pandemic progresses through its many stages.
Recommended

The Herd

This novel regarding vaccination against childhood diseases is presented from twin aspects. Parents for and parents against. A powerfully told story of dilemmas and decisions and how the outcomes impact not only on the family making them. Engrossing, sad, emotional and utterly believable how causes and effects impact on Elizabeth’s, Bry’s, and their families’ lives.