Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the ALC and Atria Books, #partner, for the advanced copy of The Great Transition in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Atria Books / Simon & Schuster ALC
Published: August 15, 2023
Summary:
For fans of Station Eleven and The Ministry for the Future, this richly imaginative, immersive, and electrifyingly relevant climate utopia novel follows a family navigating a crisis both personal and political, illuminating humanity’s capacity for change.
What happens after we save the world?
In the near future, humanity hasn’t avoided the worst of climate change—wildfires, rising oceans, mass migration, and skyrocketing inequality have become the daily reality. But just when it seems that it can’t get any worse, remarkably, a movement of workers, migrants, and refugees inspires the world to band together, save the planet, and rebuild a society for all. This is The Great Transition.
Teenager Emi Vargas was born post-Transition, into a utopia compared to the world known by previous generations. Her parents both suffered and sacrificed, playing pivotal roles in The Great Transition, but now their marriage is deteriorating. And when Emi’s mother goes missing amidst a shocking new political upheaval, Emi’s illusion of comfort and safety is shattered.
Alternating between Emi’s suspenseful search for her mother in the present and The Great Transition when her mother and father battled climate devastation and fell in love, this astonishing debut is a remarkable story of struggle, change, and hope.
My thoughts:
As I have mentioned a time or two, climate fiction has quickly become a favorite sub-genre of mine, so when I saw this book was available to request, I didn’t hesitate. The fact that it is written by a debut author is just icing on the cake and definitely one I will be keeping an eye out for because this book was fantastic!
This was one of the most thought-provoking and hopeful climate fiction books I’ve ever read. What I loved about it is how different it is from your typical climate fiction book. This one is set post-climate change and we learn through flashbacks what led them to this point. Told from multiple points of view and through some of Emi’s school essays, we see how Emi’s parents’ played a part in the change and what is going on with them now.
I loved that this book was a mix-up of genres – it’s equal parts dystopian, family saga and thriller. From the first page, I was pulled into this story and never once did my attention wane. I was so invested in these characters and the roles they played. But more importantly, I found myself thinking what I’m doing in terms of the climate. And that leads me to this quote that really stayed with me.
“More than one thing may be true at once.”
I can life my live and enjoy it while still trying to do things that will reduce my carbon footprint.
This book is definitely going to be one of my favorites of the year. It will be added to my collection of climate fiction books I have on my bookshelf and will be added to the growing list of books I now recommend to everyone!
Audio thoughts:
I alternated between the print and audio version of this book and I loved both. I thought the narrators for the audio, Stacy Carolan and Stacy Gonzalez, did a great job bringing the story to life.
