Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Forced Off the Grid

 
After reading Hugh Howey's "Wool Omnibus", which I reviewed here, I was ready for another one of his novels. Having had discussions with various people on this very subject, I chose "The Hurricane". You are thinking that I was discussing hurricanes, and I have been, but that is not the main theme of this book.
The story is about a typical teenager in a typical high school and the first few chapter impress upon the reader how everyone is totally connected to the grid. The preponderance of electronic devices, especially of the communicative type, is overwhelming in these young people's lives ....until a hurricane comes and puts an end to it all.
The sense of loss and bewilderment causes many to wander around in a daze as they have no 'bars' on their phones and the batteries are slowly dying with no way to re-charge them.
What evolves is a slow but sure connection with reality and the world of real relationships. There is time to ponder the important things in life and to see people as they really are.
It is not a deep book, but does make one wonder what it would be like to be isolated and have to resort to a total lack of communications with anyone but the person next to you, or heaven forbid, your neighbour.
Daniel, the hero, discovers some pretty amazing things as he and his small family recover from the hurricane.
3 1/2 stars  
 

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