This book was well written and very thought provoking. I find myself still working over some of the moral dilemmas given in the book days after reading it. The year is 2021 and the human race is preparing for the end of civilization after worldwide infertility extinguished the ability to procreate in 1995. As the population steadily grows older and no children have been born in the last 25 years, everyone must face the resulting breakdown of society and struggle with the question if anything they do actually matters in the end.

Before I go too far, here are some things that have influenced this review: 1) I saw the movie first when it came out in 2007. 2) I was pregnant with baby #3 when I saw the movie, and have just had baby #4 when reading the book. 3) I am a big apocalypse junkie and tend to like most books dealing with the end of the world as we know it.

In a nut shell here is how I felt about the book: 1) I liked the movie better. I feel like a traitor to books saying that, especially since the movie was incredibly violent. The movie and book are VERY different, even the ending. The book gives a great insight into the characters that the movie lacked, but can be a little slow paced. 2) Children are a miracle and I constantly felt heartbroken thinking of a world without them. What panic and despair knowing there will be no one coming after you, no children to give your love to. 3) As apocalypse books go, this one has all the elements of a great one. It has a unique spin on the genre in the way it lets the characters and the world constantly think about the end and approach it slowly. There is no big disaster, no event that wipes out the population, just a slow grind towards the finish with everyone steadily growing older until no one is left. It sets a great stage to explore the actions of governments and people. Is it worth it to fight injustice if there is no future? Can you really placate a population to look the other way if you offer them security and comfort? (Is it only people under 30 who are willing to die for ideals and challenge the state? ha ha) I would recommend reading the book and then seeing the movie for maximum effect. There was very little language, violence or sex in the book.

The Children of Men

P.D. James. Vintage Canada 2006, Paperback, 256 pages, $9.95