The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Random House
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 
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On a seemingly ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, 11-year-old Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the earth has suddenly begun to slow. The days and nights grow longer and longer, gravity is affected, the environment is thrown into disarray. Yet as she struggles to navigate an ever-shifting landscape, Julia is also coping with the normal disasters of everyday life—the fissures in her parents’ marriage, the loss of old friends, the hopeful anguish of first love, the bizarre behavior of her grandfather who, convinced of a government conspiracy, spends his days obsessively cataloging his possessions. As Julia adjusts to the new normal, the slowing inexorably continues.
With spare, graceful prose and the emotional wisdom of a born storyteller, Karen Thompson Walker has created a singular narrator in Julia, a resilient and insightful young girl, and a moving portrait of family life set against the backdrop of an utterly altered world. – Source
Review:
I’m all for books about the end of the world, and everything that comes with that sort of exciting situation in fiction, but The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker was so much more than that. In her debut, the rotation of the Earth has begun to slow down and with it come the changes to the environment: the days continuously grow longer, tide levels increase, gravity changes, birds fall from the sky… Then comes the fear so deeply rooted in human nature: paranoia, chaos, and panic. The main character, Julia, watches as neighbors turn on each other, others fall ill to “the syndrome”, and food supplies grow smaller. It’s all very tumultuous and, perhaps with any other author, everything that takes place in The Age of Miracles could be too much; it could overwhelm the core of the novel. However, Karen Thompson Walker proved more than capable of writing a subtle, quiet, and very personal story amidst all the chaos.
Though technically under the adult fiction category, The Age of Miracles has a lot of crossover appeal for any young adult readers. Karen Thompson Walker’s prose is accessible and it offers depth in its themes and characters. As the world changes around her, much stays the same in Julia’s life: she’s a twelve year old girl enduring the ups and downs of friendships, crushing on boys, figuring out where she fits in at school, and dealing with the changes in her family. The fact that Karen Thompson Walker explored the themes of coming of age made this book so much more relatable. Yes, the world is falling apart, and it was easy to get wrapped up in those elements of the story, but Julia’s uncertainty as she grows up is universal and it’s what truly makes The Age of Miracles a haunting and gripping novel.
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About Stephanie
This is a great review; now I want to read this book.
While I’ve heard of it, this book hasn’t really been on my MUST READ radar. Until now. I’m so glad I read your review! I like that it’s more of a deep, emotional journey rather than flashes and bangs, which you typicallyexpect in end-of-the-world books. I LOVE those, as you said, but these kind are equally amazing and definitely touch you on a more personal level. I’m excited to read this. Brilliant review!
Oh, Steph, this is a TERRIFIC review! It sounds gorgeous and well done… the words you used: subtle and quiet? You’ve sold me… that it can the personal journey of one person against a backdrop of fear and chaos? It sounds extraordinary. You, my dear, write the most wonderful reviews. You make me think every time, question my own opinions of books I’ve already read, and in case like this, leave me DYING for more :O
I feel like I’ve seen this one here and there but it was barely a blip on my radar… you made it sound FABULOUS though and now… I think I’m adding it to the ever-growing TBR
EEEEEEE STEPH! I actually got a copy of this book for review but haven’t heard much about it. The concept sounds really interesting though! And I read an article about how the book was sold in an auction with a very high price! The book must have been really good and I can’t wait to read it!
Anyway, awesome review, Steph! ♥ Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Oh, I have heard such lukewarm things about this one so I’m glad that it suited it you just fine. :O)
This sounds really great, but I’m hesitant about end of the world books… they scare me more than any horror book I’ve ever read!
I saw a review for this today, and it already caught my interest. Your review however has definitely got me adding this to my TBR.