The fact that the character spent so much time dwelling on the past made her seem wistful and melancholic. The main character isn't overly likeable, possibly due to the aforementioned flitting back and forth between past and present. I personally didn't think these were necessary and I feel like one of the characters was added purely to allow for these comparisons to be made. The book focuses on the eradication of certain traits within society so it's inevitable that comparisons to the Nazi regime are made. The pace picks up towards the last third of the book as we spend more time focusing on the new world and it's unhinged, unethical system of perfection. I did find it hard to persevere and very nearly gave up reading this. I want to be shocked and fearful, perhaps even disgusted in the new world- these feelings did emerge but much later in the story. We spend a lot of time going back to when Elena was younger and whilst it serves to give the reader insight into how things used to be, it seems a little unnecessary and the nostalgia for 'the good old days' isn't what I want a dystopian novel to focus on. The story is told through the eyes of Elena, working mother and wife to Malcolm, who happens to be the driving force behind the new world in which ultimate perfection is the goal. The first half of the book absolutely dragged as it constantly flipped between past and present for no concrete reason. Initially I was excited about this book, a world in which everyone is given a score and treated in relation to that score sounded like the sort of dystopian fiction that I like however this book falls a little short of the dystopian mark as not enough attention is given to exploring the 'new world'. Christina Dalcher's name has been coming up in a lot of 'must read' book stacks on Instagram so when the local library had Q on it's available ebook list I snapped up the chance to read it. Sounds.perfect, doesn't it?Īs you can gather if you've read any of previous book reviews you'll know that dystopian fiction is my all time favourite genre. A world of fear where every choice you make can effect your score and cost you your place in society.

No divorce, no rule breaking, no freedom. Constant screening and testing to ensure your 'Q' score remains within an appropriate range. No genetic abnormalities or predisposition to certain illnesses. A school system with ample time for students because they'd be no 'dunces' to take up the teachers time. A world where everyone is equal in terms of intellect. Imagine a world where everyone was perfect.

Christina dalcher q