A Children's Bible
A Novel
by Lydia Millet
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Pub Date 12 May 2020 | Archive Date 30 Apr 2020
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Description
An indelible novel of teenage alienation and adult complacency in an unraveling world.
Pulitzer Prize finalist Lydia Millet’s sublime new novel—her first since the National Book Award long-listed Sweet Lamb of Heaven—follows a group of twelve eerily mature children on a forced vacation with their families at a sprawling lakeside mansion. Contemptuous of their parents, who pass their days in a stupor of liquor, drugs, and sex, the children feel neglected and suffocated at the same time. When a destructive storm descends on the summer estate, the group’s ringleaders—including Eve, who narrates the story—decide to run away, leading the younger ones on a dangerous foray into the apocalyptic chaos outside.
As the scenes of devastation begin to mimic events in the dog-eared picture Bible carried around by her beloved little brother, Eve devotes herself to keeping him safe from harm.
A Children’s Bible is a prophetic, heartbreaking story of generational divide—and a haunting vision of what awaits us on the far side of Revelation.
About the Author: Lydia Millet has written twelve works of fiction. She has won awards from PEN Center USA and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and her books have been longlisted for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and named as New York Times Notable Books. Her story collection Love in Infant Monkeys was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. She lives outside Tucson, Arizona.
A Note From the Publisher
LibraryReads votes due by 4/1. IndieNext votes due by 3/2.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781324005032 |
| PRICE | US$25.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 224 |
Featured Reviews
Librarian 523978
I absolutely loved A Children’s Bible. There is a serenity and fluidity to Millet’s writing that I found to be beautiful. The story was well told and quite powerful. This was my introduction to Lydia Millet and I have already picked up other novels by her. I am entranced completely by her writing style.
Urbano R, Educator
4.5 stars.
In an age where the young justifiably blame the old for the devastation of the planet, this dystopian tale of youthful alienation and environmental apocalypse resonated deeply with me.
A group of self-indulgent and wealthy parents, enjoying a two month summer sea-side debauch, are so dazed by sex, alcohol and drugs they barely notice the end times arrive. Their children, sharper witted and far more canny, are left to fend for themselves.
The story, narrated by the sharp-eyed, cynical Eve, grabbed me from the first paragraph and didn't let go. While I was sometimes confused by who some of the other children were, the plot and writing kept me hooked. Some passages were so beautiful and captured so clearly my own feelings about what is happening to our planet that I had to copy them into my journal to savor later.
This was my first novel by Lydia Millet and I look forward to reading more by her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance review copy.
Abby N, Reviewer
A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet was really good. I gave it four stars for now, but this may well turn into a five star book the longer I sit on it. I randomly requested this one form Netgalley because the cover looked nice and was not let down. The layers in the book were VERY impressive. And, given the current #coronavirus situation, reading a book about an environmental disaster and the resulting social situation was appropriate to say the least. I usually love adult books written from the perspective of a child and this one was no exception. The kids were the stars of the show, intentionally, and the dichotomy between the kids and adults in this one was fascinating. The biblical layers, the brilliance of Jack, the subtle and not so subtle integration of religion, science and art was A+. The obvious biblical references and their associated twists. The Owner and all she was (or maybe wasn't). I was here for it. I'm still here for it. I was even more here for this one because I know exactly what sort of little children's bible Jack was given- I myself had one (as, I'm sure, did every small child growing up in and around the south). As Jack in his precocious 9 year old mind translated and interpreted these stories, drew connections, found hope, etc., I was able to visualize the same little picture stories in my children's bible. By no means was this a religious book, but it was a book that offered some fascinating commentary on religion, and it was excellent.
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