A Gift Upon the Shore

First, let me say that this is a slow paced book, and not riven through with violence, though there is enough. If your looking for Post Apocalyptic Fiction such as the Stand or Swan Song (both of which are proudly on my shelf) this is not for you. There's no Mad Max Thunderdome. Instead, there is a quiet, almost Quakerish view of a very small part of a world gone terribly bad. This wonderful book has earned a permanent place in my collection of Post Apocalyptic Fiction, along with Jack McDevitt's Eternity Road and Walter M. Miller's A Canticle for Leibowitz. Why? Because not only does the book observe The End through the eyes of a woman, which is quite unique, it shows the constant human need for knowledge, the quest for lost knowledge, and best of all, the complete love of books that inhabits these three novels. I've been on a Post Apocalyptic kick, lately, working my way through books never before read and those read and nearly forgotten. It has left me, surprisingly, with some hope for us, for our future. This book will quietly haunt you, you will remember it, you will pass it along to a friend, you may reread it. I think you will never forget it.

This novel supposedly takes place in the near future, beginning just before a nuclear war and subsequent plague decimates the human population. Mary Hope is the principle character, and she relates a story that begins when she is a young woman and progresses until she is older, in her 60's, this story being told to a young man named Stephen as Mary attempts to prepare him to eventually replace her as the teacher of their small group on the Oregon coast. Most of the group is of a fanatical religious bent and she has to carefully navigate through this. Author M. K. Wren gives us this interesting tale through the perspective of a woman, and I am aware that women tend to be more introspective than men are, of emotions and their environment, and also more attuned and sensitive to interpersonal relationships, this is all very evident in this novel, and well done. The story is very philosophical, I loved it. The underlying message is that the human race has squandered precious resources preparing for war, plunging us into worldwide recession, culminating in nuclear war and plague. There is no ultimate right and wrong, only human values and the importance we ourselves place on them. The story gives graphic detail of events at the "end" and far past it, made me feel as though I was really there. It illustrates the strong will and determination some people possess in the face of calamity, and a quest to save part of civilization. I loved the rational world-view of the two principal characters, Mary and Rachel, no mythmaking or herd behavior with these ladies, they accept the true nature of the universe. A very poetic novel, always reflective, I savored every word.

I am a prolific reader who especially enjoys books that deal with "post apocolyptic" story lines. But "A Gift Upon The Shore" is that and so much more. I read it over and over again. I have a large library and re-read many of my favorites, but each time I see this book I want to pick it up and read it again. It is, to me, the perfect book for a writer to read. If you love books, and all that they represent you will love "A Gift Upon The Shore". I believe that once you've read it you will never forget the story and the two women (no make that three women) who are so much a part of the tale.

A beautifully written book which is assured of a place in my personal library. The characters are believable and the frailties of human nature so true to life. Being a book lover, I can relate to these woman trying to preserve books for future generations. It goes beyond that, in the struggle to not only survive, preserve books but to bring forth life to a dead world. However, the ugliness of human nature raises its head, but it does not triumph. A must read.

Set against a post-apocalyptic background, the story focuses on the platonic love of two women, their struggle to survive in the face of extinction, and their love for free thought and unjudged beauty. Seldom have I become so involved in a novel's characters. I found myself mirroring Mary Hope's pain, anger, and frustration, as well as her overwhelming love of Rachel. This is a book to share with love and friendship.