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brittanystoess's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Blood, Bullying, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Classism, and Drug use
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Forced institutionalization
pomoevareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
With society collapsing and pollution causing illness, when Linda and her husband, Russell, and teen twins are offered a spot in a company town where the air is controlled and clean and you want for nothing, how can they not take it. Linda and Russell’s marriage has been declining and they have come close to divorce. Russell’s distance from his family might be improved in this new town and as long as they conform to this new culture they are expected to thrive. But you know the saying “if it sounds too good to be true it usually is.”
Plymouth Valley is not used to outsiders and doesn’t welcome them easily. You have to befriend the right people to be accepted. There are strange festivals that the whole community of 4500 participate in and a religion of sorts called Hollow. After some initial hazing, the Farmer-Bowens find their place and Russell proves himself valuable to the community. Linda gets some work just outside the walled community at a clinic and soon becomes suspicious of how safe this town really is and what is behind all the cautious sayings that no one will explain.
Full of suspense from beginning to end, I could not put this book down. I imagine this is a book that will stick with me for a long time and can’t help but make you think about current eco crises. The examination of family and the breakdown of a marriage play out with a foreboding always in the background.
Dystopian in nature bordering on science fiction and horror, A Better World was thrilling to the last page. Langan has written such a clever story that I think Bookclubs will enjoy. Other stories that came to mind while reading this one were The Stepford Wives and Elsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin.
Thank you to @atriabooks and @this_is_edelweiss for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. A Better World publishes April 9, 2024 and I would say run to get it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Confinement, Classism, Drug use, Animal death, Medical content, Mental illness, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content
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