When small wooden boxes appear on the doorsteps of people all over the world, things will never be the same again. Each box has the same inscription “The measure of your life lies within” and inside each box is one piece of string – and it is soon realised that the strings relate to their lifespan. Some have short strings & will die prematurely, some have long strings and will live for many more years.

As the world is thrust into a collective frenzy, the book follows several people whose lives collide & interweave in unexpected ways and shows multiple perspectives about “the strings”.
As society divides into the “long-stringers” and “short-stringers” we have echoes of apartheid/racial segregation, as short-stringers are denied opportunities in every aspect of their lives: jobs, medical care, politics and so much more. Some people choose not to open their boxes whilst others make choices because of their strings.

This book will challenge you to examine your own thoughts on society and living your own life fully. It will stay with you for a long time after reading it.

Would I open my box? I really don’t know!
Both sides of the debate are reflected in the book as Aimee chooses not to open hers, whilst Ben & Maura have to live with the knowledge that their strings are short.

My thanks to NetGalley and Borough Press publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
What an amazing and thought provoking book. For a debut novel I was hooked just with the premise and wasn’t disappointed.
Invested with the development and fate of every character which included the odd twist.
I whole heartedly recommend this book and will definitely look forward to others by Nikki Erlick.

An absolutely brilliant, poignant, stunning and devastating book. One of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and it was completely warranted.

On an average morning, everyone in the world receives an ominous box with a string in it. The string is meant to denote how long your life is. In the early days, panic ensues and society is divided into three groups: those with long strings, those with short strings, and those who refuse to open their boxes and find out.

Our main characters are a mix of all three, with alternating perspectives and they often end up on different sides of the same situation. I especially loved scenes where characters you wouldn’t expect to interact have conversations or glimpses of each other while something else is at the forefront. Reading about such a diverse and varied cast gave me so much more insight into the complicated reactions to any length of string, be it relief at a longer string, grief at a life cut short or the inner conflict at not wanting to know what fate had in store.

I thought the premise was so interesting and such a clever metaphor. It felt like a modern retelling of myths about the Fates and how that would play out in our current society. I loved how science immediately was involved in predicting ballpark figures of life expectancy at the start to already being able to say which year and month you would die by the end. I am still in awe at how clever this story was and how intricate the world-building was, as the society is so similar to our own, it mirrors reactions I saw on the news when the pandemic was first becoming a prominent thing, from the outrage and variety of opinions to the guidance and research available.

This novel had me laughing out loud, holding back tears, and struggling to make up my mind about what I would do in that scenario. I like the wide range of characters because it shows any and all scenarios available, and a unique reaction to any situation and background. I will 100% be picking this book up the next time I’m in Waterstones and I’m sure I’ll revisit it whenever I have existential queries and questions about what I want to do with my life. Besides, you need to live like your string is short.

I really loved the idea of this book when I read the blurb. The idea of knowing something about your life in advance and if you open your box.

I really enjoyed the writing and the cast of characters as they navigated the world that was changing around them. I did feel the pace slow at the mid way point, but I did want to read on. It maybe as there are so many characters and stories we are following and so many big questions being asked. Overall enjoyed this book and made me consider what I would do if I received a box.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a digital advance reader copy. Will be watching out for more from Nikki Erlick

This is a fantastic book and a must read for anyone. It’s a powerful, thought provoking and a novel that will leave you heartbroken! Big decisions are made, anger and hatred are explored. You will not be disappointed if you pick this book up.

What a great story. It kept me intruiged the whole way through. The book takes on the events that are changed in an instant when boxes arre delivered thoughout the world containing strings that are short or long. I wonder if I would look in the box allowing me to see how many more years life I would have. The concept is certainly interesting and is thorough in detailing how and in what manner relationships change along with other choices.

One otherwise typical March night, mysterious wooden boxes suddenly appear on doorsteps all over the world. Each box bears the name of its recipient and the cryptic message "The measure of your life lies within". Not a single person over the age of 22 years-old fails to receive one, no matter where they live.

No one knows where they have come from, but inside they all contain the same thing - a length of string made from a curious unbreakable material. At first, their meaning is uncertain, but it soon becomes clear that the length of each string is a representation of the lifespan of each person named. Not everyone chooses to look inside their box, many preferring to simply not know their fate, but for those that do their lives are changed significantly - especially those who become known as the 'short-stringers'.

Through the experiences of eight different, but otherwise ordinary people, we are about to learn the effect of the boxes on the way they are now able to live their lives - especially around the decisions they must make, and the freedoms that are suddenly taken from them...

The concept of this brilliant speculative novel is startlingly simple. A box arrives on your doorstep containing a string that tells you how many years you will live. Do you choose to open you box and try to come to terms with what lies within, or do you leave your fate unknown? Not an easy choice to make, I'm sure you will agree. 

Interestingly, the origin of the boxes bears not a jot of importance in terms of what Erlick cleverly examines in this novel, so the fact that she never explains this is not an issue at all. Instead, this is a tale all about the impact of their very existence on humankind, and she uses this idea to craft an extremely poignant and though-provoking story.

I don't want to go too much into the make up of the characters, as the magic lies in following their very personal stories as they try to deal with the knowledge that the boxes impart, especially those who are set reeling by the discovery that they have distressingly short strings. However, I can tell you that Erlick deftly and sensitively explores the impact of the strings on many aspects of their lives, especially in terms of the relationships between family members, romantic partners, colleagues, friends, and even enemies, and she gives your emotions a thorough work-out in the process.

Beyond the more intimate elements of the tale, this book also delves deeply into the wider societal changes that might happen if it became possible to determine exactly how many years each person would live, particularly the stereotypical behaviour traits that suddenly become attributed to people based on their string length alone, and the discrimination that comes with it. The kind of consequences Erlick proposes are shocking, but at no time do they feel far-fetched, and intriguingly they manage to be an insightful look at the stark reality of bigotry and injustice in wider terms, as well as an unsettling prophecy. As with all the best dystopian tales, it serves to make you think about your own life, and the world you live in as well.

There is an enchanting flip-side to the disturbing vision that Erlick imagines too, and this is where the solid gold charm of this story carries you through from highly imaginitive start to sob-fest ending. For all the madness, grief and loss that this novel throws at you, there is also so much about hope, the strength of the human spirit, friendship, and true love - and these qualities make this book one that works its way into your heart.

This is exactly the kind of book that stands out as one which is ripe for book clubs and juicy little gossip sessions at the water-coolers in offices everywhere. There is so much to discuss around the issues Erlick forces you to ponder about what it is that sums up the measure of a life. Is it just the years we are allotted or actually what we choose to do with them that counts? And of course, the "Would you open your box?" question is sure to be a hotly debated one in itself! 

I loved the whole fabulous debut from start to finish, so completely caught up in the fates of the characters that I spent a good many minutes crying my eyes out when the time came to say good-bye to them. It leaves you with so much to think about too. This is easily one of of favourite reads of the year.

I read this book several weeks ago and I still catch myself thinking about it now. One of the most thought provoking books I have ever read.
A box arrives on people's doorsteps. Seemingly empty, it contains one piece of string, but people realise everyone has different lengths. The mystery continues, until people realise it shows their remaining time left in their lives. Short stringers will die imminently, but long strongers can be assured of decades of life left.
Do you open it? This is a question that gets asked often throughout the book, and I still don't know what I would do. Erlick has shown both sides of the coin through the characters, and will keep you constantly questioning your response. Long stringers get to live their best life without worrying they will meet a quick end, whereas short stringers are paralysed by the knowledge anything they do may kill them.
The main question that has astounded me through this book, is the impact on society. Do short stringers deserve to get health care, or do doctors spend their time helping long stringers? Or is it because of their lack of help that their strings are short? What about training? Do we train short stringers in vocations such as medicine or teaching? Would the vast number of short stringers foretold major world events like the war or terrorist attacks? Would it have helped us to prevent huge loss of life? What about people in government? I honestly think Erlick has thought of every scenario that could be affected from this dilemma, and weaved them seamlessly through the story.
The characters Nina and Maura are wonderful people, who ask these questions throughout their relationship. The quote 'live like your string is short' will stay with me.
I am stunned by the effect this has had on me. I have adored this book, and will be recommending it forever.
Wonderful.

WOW, this is a very thought provoking read, I loved it. One spring morning all over the world people are waking up to find a wooden box on their doorsteps, they have no idea who it is from, or how it got there. But for every person over 22 there is a box. As each person reaches 22 a box arrives at the door. People have a choice do they open the box or not? This causes some division between some couples. Where one wants to open the box and the other doesn’t, afraid of what they may find. Because it turns out inside the boxes there is a measure, a pice of string it may be a short piece of string or a long piece. Depending on the length you learn how long you have to live.

The story revolves around a number of people who are all connected in some way throughout the book because of the measure. There is a presidential campaign, where a candidate wants each of the other candidates to announce if the are short stringers or long stringers. After all who wants to vote for someone if they may not be in office for the whole 4 years. The measure causes so many problem’s ,short stringers struggle to get good jobs as employers look at it that why should they spend money on training people if they don’t have long to live. There are dating apps for short stringers and long stringers. I enjoyed how the characters all overlap at some point in their lives. This is such an engrossing read I read it in one sitting. I don’t want to give too much away regarding the main characters, but there are some you will like and some you just won’t have time for.

I found this to be an intriguing, engrossing read, as I wondered whether I would pick to open the box or not. I am not sure I would want to know, but then could I resist opening the box. But then we all know what curiosity did. I did find myself crying at the end of the story. This would make for a very interesting book club read.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #BoroughPress for an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair, and honest review.

I was really excited to start this book but I couldn’t get into it for some reason. This is obviously a me problem as the reviews are great!

This started off very exciting and I thought what a great storyline. It had lots of different characters in it but, I could keep my thoughts clear on who was who. Halfway through it started to get a little boring and slow and the story wained. But, towards the end it picked up and I found I was enjoying it again. A book with a twist and very thought provoking. I enjoyed this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This is a really impressive and original debut that constantly threw up moral dilemmas and made me stop and think. The concept of one day receiving a box containing a string that represents the length of your life is equally horrifying and fascinating and I couldn’t stop contemplating what I would do in that situation and whether I would want to know.

The characters were written fantastically and I loved how, even in small ways, all of their lives intersected. The story was portrayed so realistically that I truly felt like this could be something that was happening in the world right now. I enjoyed the various perspectives of ‘short-stringers’ and ‘long-stringers’ alike and how regular citizens had to come to terms with the boxes that changed everything. There were some really heartfelt and emotional moments throughout.

This book was maybe a bit long-winded for my preferences but I definitely enjoyed the journey and the ultimate message it posed: all lives are of equal value.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you could find out how long you have left in your life, would you?
That is everyone’s question as they are faced with the answer one morning all over the globe.
Is it just me or is anyone else getting dystopian world vibes that also in another way reminds you of March 2020 - the beginning of Covid madness? It has all the similar features; new thing entering the world causing everyone chaos wondering whether or not if it is true at the beginning. But in this case, it only happens when you are aged 22 and above. The length of the string inside this box is long or short which determines your life spam. Once the scientists start noticing that the short strings correlate with the deaths that is when everything becomes more clear.

There are so many point of views that at around 29% in is when I had had enough as there was far too many points of views to keep up with. Along with that, the chapters have no real sense in order as you normally would have it in order which makes it a bit more confusing as well.

Although some good points in the difference in characters is their circumstances, I think the author tried to ensure they thought of every possible scenario and point of views and trying to ensure every view and angle was covered.

See this is where a second novel exploring some other angles from this story line I think could cover it in better detail without it being too much. But I guess you would rather it be too much than not enough quality content.

We hear from army people, those in relationships, make or breaking a relationship, doctors who had to witness it. Those that wanted to keep their jobs but couldn’t and then the alternatives.

This novel has a very unique plot and has you wondering about how each situation will unfold.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me this for my honest review.

I struggled with the first few chapters of this because of the topic. But after that, I absolutely loved it. The story is fresh, never been done, and thought provoking. It will stay with me for a long time. Would I open my box? Would I want to know?

The Measure by Nikki Erlick is a story about 8 ordinary people and one extraordinary choice. It is a fascinating story about whether you open a box and find out how long your life will last. It is a story of how people chose to live their lives whether they open their own box or not.
I found the more of the story I read the more I wanted to know more about the characters and the lives they chose to live. It was an engaging, fascinating storyline that made you wonder what you would do. Open or not?
Highly recommended

One morning, all twenty-two-year-olds and over receive a box. Inside the box, there is a piece of string; it is either short or long and it indicates the length of life. This story follows eight people who are mostly based in New York as they decide what they will do and journey through their lives. Would you open your box?

In this extraordinary début novel, Nikki Erlick explores some complex themes around prejudice and discrimination in a tale that is full of warmth. Fascinating and providing abundant food for thought I spent a considerable amount of time dithering over whether or not I would open my own box, eventually concluding that I most likely would. An extremely enjoyable, unusual read told from several points of view, there are some very likeable characters you might root for and one you definitely won’t. The ending is an emotional one.

A special thank you to The Borough Press, Nikki Erlick, NetGalley and Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read. This review is my unbiased opinion.

What an extraordinary debut novel this is, I couldn’t put it down. One morning everyone in the world aged 22 and over wakes to find a box outside their home inscribed with their name and the wording ‘the measure of your life lies within’. Each box contains a length of string which represents how long they will live. We follow 8 characters throughout this story as they contend with the decision as to whether to open their box or not.

Although this book focuses on the personal choices of the main characters and their struggle as to whether to open the box or live without the knowledge, the writer intelligently weaves in the impact the boxes have on society as a whole. She cleverly creates a new way of categorising people which inevitably leads to discrimination and prejudice with ‘long- stringers’ distancing themselves and discriminating against ‘short-stringers’ in many aspects of their daily lives.

There were those who supported people with shorter strings and sacrificed their life to save others. Some used their longer strings to their advantage but were reckless knowing they had a long life, such as politicians playing on the fears of anxious people. Others had to make decisions on marriage and children. Some relationships became fractured where others were strengthened. Society is divided and the young wait for their boxes to arrive.

Although this is dystopian fiction it’s not hard to imagine how this book relates to the world we live in today. Ultimately though this is a book about hope and love and how we all find our way despite our circumstances. I found it an uplifting read, the writing is beautifully crafted and is a wonderful reminder that it’s not the length but the depth of our lives that matters in the end.

I was really excited to get to this book, not only was the synopsis super up my street - but the reviews have been great!

However, I'm so disappointed - I had such high hopes and I just really struggled with this book. I just couldn't get into it. It just felt so slow and I couldn't connect to the characters.
Really did not like this!
Not for me!

On a completely normal morning, a box appears on the doorstep of every adult over the age of 22 in the world. Confused, bemused, scared, curious... the owners of the boxes firstly have to decide whether to open them, and then are then faced with the sobering realisation that the boxes contain the 'measure of their lives' - literally a piece of string which measures how long they will live.

The story then follows Nina, Ben, Maura, Amie, Jack, Javier, Anthony and Hank as they all navigate this new era where people are divided into two camps - long strings or short strings - and have to deal with the consequences of living their lives knowing exactly how long they have to do so.

When I read the synopsis for The Measure I thought it sounded like an interesting idea, quite quirky with a dystopian vibe but I was completely unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster that developed throughout the story as I began to get to know, hate and/or love the eight main characters. Splitting the chapters between these eight characters was the real brilliance of the novel, with each character being so different in their circumstances and also they way they dealt with their individual situations, there is someone here for everyone to relate to.

I don't think I've ever read a book before that conjured up so many questions or made me think about so many different things. If you knew how long you had to live would it change the way you led the time you had left? Would you be able to start a relationship with someone knowing that your time together would be limited? How much of a part does fate play in our lives? If everyone knew when they were going to die would it change the way we do everything - distribute jobs, elect politicians, introduce laws - and if so, why? What difference would it make, we wake up every morning not knowing what will happen, so would it be better to be prepared? I could go on...

The Measure is a fascinating and profound story which is relevant to absolutely everybody, exploring life and death, and how the world would change if we all knew how long our lives would be. It was unexpected and heartfelt. It was also very different to the types of books I normally read, so I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed this story, it was totally original and I loved the way the eight characters lives were all interconnected. I still don't know if I would open the box. That question is going to stay with me for a long time.

Not just a novel, but a novel approach to seeing into our future. It takes a while to settle into this book, as initially it feels far fetched and unrealistic, but what if we could know how long we were to live? This book has a diverse cast of players. How they deal with their life depends very much on whether their life expectancy is long or short. The concept that everyone over 22 years receives a little wooden chest inside which is their personal string. Whether to reveal it’s length and therefore their remaining years, is a tough decision. Easy reading, interesting characters, a touch of humour, a smattering of romance and not forgetting a bit of politics!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Harper Collins for this advance copy.