Book Review | The Chimes by Anna Smaill | Vlogtember #3

TL;DR

"A dystopian novel set in a future with no memories, Chains offers a unique and intriguing world that straddles the young adult and adult genres."

Transcript

hey it's time for a book review and that is of the chains by Alice meal which is one of this year's long listed books for the man booker prize 2015 this review should be entirely spoiler-free it's just going to be some of my thoughts and the general overview of what this book is about and whether I liked it or not please go and subscribe to laurens... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑 Chains straddles the young adult and adult genres, appealing to a wide audience.
• 😑 The dystopian world in the book has a unique setting resembling pre-industrial revolution times.
• 🌸 The memory loss aspect adds complexity to the story and characters.
• ✍️ The author's writing style is beautiful and is influenced by her background in music.
• 🖐️ Music plays a significant role in the book, adding depth and richness to the story.
• 👾 The pacing of the book changes in the second half, with more action and a faster pace.
• 🏛️ Character development and relationship building could have been further explored.

Questions & Answers

Q: What makes Chains different from other dystopian novels?

Chains stands out due to its unique combination of straddling the young adult and adult genres and its use of a dystopian world with memory loss as a central theme.

Q: Is the lack of technology in the book noticeable?

Yes, the absence of technology is evident throughout the story, with a more Victorian or pre-industrial revolution feel. There is no mention of modern inventions like trains.

Q: Was the author successful in immersing readers into the world of Chains?

Yes, the author throws readers into the deep end without explaining the world, which can be confusing initially. However, as the plot progresses, readers become more acquainted with the world and its language.

Q: Did the short length of the book affect the overall reading experience?

While the book could have benefited from being longer, the author's debut novel still managed to provide an amazing reading experience. However, a few extra pages could have been useful for character development and filling in gaps.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chains by Alice Meal was intended for a young adult audience but ended up being marketed as an adult book.

• The dystopian world in the book is set in a time period resembling pre-industrial revolution.

• Everyone in this world loses their memories every day, except for body memory and repetitive actions.