A Children's Bible: A Novel by Lydia Millet
Lydia Millet's award-winning novel, A Children's Bible, follows a group of adolescents through a mysterious global event that's casting a shadow over their summer vacation. The novel starts off with the group of friends, mostly preteens, vacationing in an isolated house near an old-growth forest in the northeastern United States. There is hostility and tension between the kids and the adults, but all of that takes a backseat when something unexpected and seemingly unnatural takes place. The novel goes on to describe a series of events that are said to be biblical in scope, although the exact causes are never directly stated. Throughout the novel, it explores the children's different reactions to the events and how they make sense of what's going on around them.
The novel is written in first person narrative and is told from the perspectives of four of the characters, each of whom is going through a personal struggle or journey of understanding. The point of view characters are Adam, an atheist whose parents force him to attend church on Sundays; Wendy, whose parents have just gone through a divorce; Maria, a frequent runaway; and Eve, a born-again Christian. As the plot moves forward, the reader gets an intimate look at the characters and the choices they make as they attempt to find the answers to the mystery behind the strange events.
A Children's Bible is one of great power and impact, tackling themes of faith, adolescence, and humanity. Millet uses the story of a group of children to challenge the idea that anything is certain in this world. Throughout the novel, the characters grapple with the idea that life can be unpredictable and that we must use faith to guide us. On top of this, Millet shows readers how we can find strength and comfort when facing the unknown. Through the characters, Millet conveys her belief that the future holds solutions and answers even when we can't comprehend the questions.
A Children's Bible is a unique and thought-provoking novel. It speaks to readers of all ages and encourages them to think about their own beliefs, relationships, and struggles. Millet manages to tap into the emotions of readers, as well as make them consider the greater implications of the book's themes. It is a powerful story that both entertains and educates its readers.