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| Cover (O'Brien, 1974) |
In a secluded valley, protected by mountains on all sides from the rest of the world, lives Ann Burden, a 16 year old teenager who once had dreams of becoming a teacher. That future is now out of her reach. Outside her valley the world has been destroyed by nuclear and biological war, and she lives now, alone, sustaining herself, a small brood of chickens, and the beginnings of a cow herd, on the farm that she grew up on.
This book is Ann's diary, and in it she documents her activities, her dreams and how she is coping with being alone. She is independent and self-sufficient, making use of skills she learnt growing up, and the stock of the nearby farm store. Every day she must tend to the garden, care for the animals and maintain the farm. There's also long-term decisions to be made - the seed in the store will spoil on the shelves, and she must decide which crops she can plant and grow to ensure they don't become extinct.
But she is afraid. A strange, sick man slowly makes his way into the valley. He is wearing protective clothing, and is travelling alone. Ann's had no contact from other humans for a year now, since the radio stopped, and she doesn't know who this man is, what his intentions are, or if he is trustworthy.
This gripping novel follows Ann closely through her life. On the one hand, it is simple - the day-to-day activities of farm life, making food, feeding chickens. But on the other hand, she is faced with decisions that would fill anyone with fear and apprehension: the future of the human race.
From the start, there is a sense of dread, of living on the edge of madness. And the fear does not stop.
This is an engaging and eerie book about a teenage girl surviving in a dystopian world, and is highly recommended.
This book is Ann's diary, and in it she documents her activities, her dreams and how she is coping with being alone. She is independent and self-sufficient, making use of skills she learnt growing up, and the stock of the nearby farm store. Every day she must tend to the garden, care for the animals and maintain the farm. There's also long-term decisions to be made - the seed in the store will spoil on the shelves, and she must decide which crops she can plant and grow to ensure they don't become extinct.
But she is afraid. A strange, sick man slowly makes his way into the valley. He is wearing protective clothing, and is travelling alone. Ann's had no contact from other humans for a year now, since the radio stopped, and she doesn't know who this man is, what his intentions are, or if he is trustworthy.
This gripping novel follows Ann closely through her life. On the one hand, it is simple - the day-to-day activities of farm life, making food, feeding chickens. But on the other hand, she is faced with decisions that would fill anyone with fear and apprehension: the future of the human race.
From the start, there is a sense of dread, of living on the edge of madness. And the fear does not stop.
This is an engaging and eerie book about a teenage girl surviving in a dystopian world, and is highly recommended.
Bibliographic details:
O'Brien,
C. R. (1974). Z for Zachariah. New York: Simon Pulse.
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