DNF @ 30%

*sobbing* I adore Lydia Millet, and her novel Sweet Lamb of Heaven is one of the most memorable books I've ever read, but I think this particular book of hers just isn't for me. I will be anxiously awaiting her future releases though, and remain a hardcore fan.

A suspenseful and urgent story about the burdens and realities of climate change through the eyes of a group of children and teenagers. A modern classic that I urge everyone to read.

One could read A Children's Bible as a dystopian novel. The world is falling apart, storms displace families, gas stations and stores close and are eventually looted... But the world of A Children's Bible is as uncertain as our own. The children are forced to find their own way as their parents shrug and imbibe drinks and experiment with drugs. It will easily invite comparisons to Lord of the Flies, except the kids are all on the same team. They are frustrated with the world they're inheriting from their rich and intellectual parents who chose ignorance over action.

Eve, a young adult, serves as the protagonist. She loves her younger brother and protects him more than their own parents do. She wants him to understand why the world is falling apart. It would be dangerous to ignore it. Her brother is gifted a children's bible which he uses as a survival guide - but only after deconstructing it as a mystery with codes. To him, God equates to Nature and Jesus is Science. It's an interesting allegory that brought me back to Mother! - a film that also addressed climate change in a striking and compelling manner.

Though grim, A Children's Bible is an emotional force that is propelled by its tragedies and dark humor. Lydia Millet has written a modern classic that poetically highlights the urgencies and frustrations of the people who are trying to make a difference, as well as the ones who are forced to. It's an impressive and beautiful accomplishment that is extremely relevant to our time.

A fantastic commentary on climate change, privilege, and the battle between generations. The writing is beautiful and has the perfect balance of sarcasm and darkness. It's also a novel that is sure to spark a discussion making it an interesting choice for some book clubs.

A Children's Bible isn't a work of speculative fiction or dystopia. It takes place in a world we are living in at this exact moment. That's what makes its banality so eerie. It almost falls into the frustrating trope of All Adults Are Incompetent (and they are), but it also tapped into my (both) rational and irrational frustration with older generations (so say we all), and it brought to the forefront of my mind the moment where I realized my parents were just regular human beings who didn't possess secret powers of unconditional love and security. This novel suffered a bit from something that isn't its fault, really - reading this in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was just way too apt, and in way, that's a pretty stupid criticism considering, after all, this takes place in a world we are living in at this exact moment. The novel is pretty funny, the portrayal of teenagers is pretty realistic even while the absurd hijinks aren't, and I think it really taps the g-spot of the grown-ass adult's inner youth.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This book is a mixed book of sarcastic humour, dystopian and environmental and is about a group of teens who go away with their families but the adults in the group are too busy getting high and drinking alcohol to bother much with their teenage kids and so they are left to their own devices and have to fend for themselves which theyre in general not at all bothered by this.
This book is a very different and unique read that may not be to everyone's tastes. I'm not 100% sure if i liked it or not to be completely honest, so have rated it 3 stars.

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.

3.5 Stars. Interesting novel about a too-cool-for-school bunch of teenagers going on a summer holiday with their parents. The parent's only interests were drugs and alcohol, leaving the kids to fend for themselves which they were quite happy with.
Kind of a dystopian and sarcastic atmosphere mixed with a strong climate change message, I found this book quite unique in a way.
Still in two minds about whether I liked or not but certainly a refreshing read.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for proving me with an ARC. This insightful book examines the tension between children and their parents. The latter are being held directly responsible for the impending end of the world due to climate change. The former are, understandably, angry. While the focus on climate change is much needed, in terms of global attention, and topical it is not really necessary for the plot of this book. The teenage condition to be generally angry, superior and derisive might be elicited by almost anything. Similarly, the condition of the middle aged to wonder where the time went, to lament dreams dashed, and to quell anxiety with denial and booze, is well observed but not unique to extinction rebellion. Nonetheless, this book is a fantastic examination of the tension that currently exists in society between the young (exemplified in real life by Thunberg for example) and the old guard, resistant to change. The only misstep is that the adults in this book are so pathetic. We see daily in the media how young people that dare to speak out on issues of climate are attacked, the "adults" are not laying down and taking the criticism with a dose of xanax and a martini. Indeed in the book the characters of the children are vital and vulgar, ambitious despite being scared; but the adults are underdeveloped and unbelievable as a consequence. Overall I would definitely recommend reading this book. I really enjoyed it, though perhaps enjoy is the wrong word given how terrifying a depiction of the future it depicts. It is excellently written and powerfully observed and speaks to a division in society that must be overcome if the children of todays children have a place to call home.

There was so much I loved about this book, from Evie's strong cynicism to the fantastically sharp commentary on the state of the environment and what we're doing to the planet. This was the perfect length; not too long, just offering enough to make things pop, and I loved reading

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC. Overly indulgent parents allowing their kids to run free during a summer vacation when a storm hits. Hard to like any of the characters.

It took 2 starts to finish A Children's Bible but it was worth the effort. Blessedly short, Lydia Millet's para-apocalyptic novel is peopled by 2 absolutely charming children (truly the Greek chorus here) and a gaggle of parents and teenagers. The parents as presented are despicable Their mostly teenage offspring seem headed in the same direction despite their contempt for the mothers' and fathers' failings. (This was the reason I initially put the book down. ) Then interesting things begin to happen and the kids hang together to protect what they value. There is a clever version of a key Bible event and semi miraculous coping. That's what Millet does and gets away with because of her beautiful writing which includes animals as usual. But keep your eye on Jack.

Beautiful impactful writing punctuates this literary fiction entry. It’s vivid, visceral, and real. A novel that piques thought and dialogue, and an excellent example of characterization.

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.

Literary fiction at its best beautifully drawn characters a story that drew me in. Lydia Millets books are always intriguing thought provoking as with all her books I will be highly recommending.#netgalley#ww.Norton.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. A Children’s Bible tells the story of Eve and Jack, siblings spending the summer at a rented beach house with their parents and several other families. The children, mostly teenagers, spend the summer avoiding their parents and being embarrassed by them. When a storm hits and turns their idyllic vacation spot into a flood zone, the children escape only to find themselves in more danger than they could have imagined.

I have mixed feelings about this book, thus the 4 stars. Millet hits on the anxiety my generation feels about our children’s survival in this era of climate chaos. And she does so beautifully. The ending left me literally breathless. That said, when I was reading it I didn’t want to put it down; but, when I did put it down, I was reluctant to pick it back up. Some of the characters felt like mere outlines and the apocalyptic scenario seemed a bit far-fetched from just one storm. Still, well worth reading and pondering. I will recommend this to friends,

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.