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I love a book that not only grips me and makes me think but also educates me. The Herd reminded me a little of Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things, because the research was meticulous and unbiased, the topic of whether to vaccinate was fair and balanced and above all I felt I was learning so much whilst reading the book. And after a few days of reading I could see why the characters in this book would seem familiar to anyone you might have an elizabeth living next door to you. Elizabeth and Bryony have been best friends since university even though their personalities are poles apart. They are godparents to each other's daughters and they trust that the safety of their children is both their top priority. Each one desperately living their offspring. Mistakes easily made having a domino effect on another with consequences unforgivable. And, unfortunate. But with well meaning at that time. To be crystal clear, however-- it does shut down the faux-scientific claims of anti-vaxxers over the course of the novel, but it is not unsympathetic to those parents who refuse vaccines out of ignorance and fear for their children. As the author states in the foreword, these parents are just trying their best to get it right for their child. The foreword also brings up the timeliness of the novel given COVID, though it was being written before that and is not about any of the issues unique to COVID and its vaccines.
Elizabeth and Bryony have two completely different personalities. Elizabeth's daughter has an illness which means she should not be vaccinated and her parents have to rely on the herd immunity around them to keep Clementine safe. Elizabeth is quite vocal on the importance of being vaccinated. Bryony doesn't trust vaccines, so her daughter has not been vaccinated. This is quite relevant tp the current situation with covid. It's also quite an emotional read. This is a well written book that debates for and against vaccines.The book was engaging despite the two key protagonists having aspects to their characters which did them no favours. Elizabeth is the busy, organised mother of three, whilst Bryony is far more disorganised mother of one, and part-time parent to her husband's two sons from his former marriage.
In terms of the narrative, the book doesn't take a strong stance either way and I understand why that might be the preferred way to write this. After all, taking a strong stance, either way, would have created some real fallout However, I also think this was a bit of a cop-out considering how divisive the topic is. Emily Edwards has taken a relevant topic and written a book that sits on the fence. I just don't really see the point in it. It doesn't even add much to the conversation. Instead, The Herd just regurgitates the different arguments and does nothing with them. In the end, this book starts slowly and has a weak ending. There was a lot of pressure on the stuff in the middle to hold it together. Two friends - Bry and Elizabeth - both have young daughters who are good friends. Elizabeth's daughter can't be vaccinated due to fits in early childhood so her mother relies on the concept of 'herd immunity' to keep her safe. Bry has never told her friend that her daughter ISN'T vaccinated because Bry's adult brother has severe autism and Bry's mother had spent all her parental life drumming into Bry that Matty, her brother, was damaged by the MMR vaccine. It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue ― Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HEREIt is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue. ' Jodi Picoult It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issu This is a really great read, and it’s one of those books that is just so good on so many levels. It is a truly great thought provoking debut novel.
It took maybe 10% to get into it, its full of yummee mummee and posy dadee characters that I couldn’t relate to but as the story progresses that doesn’t matter so much as the story buildsA genuine rollercoaster that asks big moral questions with beautifully drawn characters.' Sharon Horgan, co-creator of CATASTROPHE Scattered throughout the main narrative are little snippet chapters where another point of view comes in-- a doctor, a journalist, a mother, an internet troll --all with differing opinions, and I found these short, hard-hitting chapters really effective. Here, the author does a number of things well. Arguments are made and challenged, the callousness of the internet and media is captured, and she explores why some parents try desperately to find reasons for their child's illness or depression or ADHD. A masterpiece of emotional nuance, this novel makes you think. It challenges pre-conceived attitudes and beliefs and it turns your heart upside down and inside out.
Hmmmm, I almost didn’t read this when saw the blurb and realised it was all about vaccines and the title ‘The Herd’ related to herd immunity ( lesson learnt re reading blurb although It probably isen’t!) even more turned off when reading the authors info at the beginning it mentioned having a chat to her ‘doula’ had inspired the book ( google doula if not heard of them ) but an author friend who had read it convinced me to give it a go and all told am pleased did There are very clever short chapters on people drawn into the story but not directly involved and their feelings on the matter ( which by now you can tell I am not going to mention 🤗 ) I thought this story was well thought out and executed. I saw the faults, the strengths, the weaknesses and the emotion in both mothers and both families. The character development was top notch. Not just in the mothers, but also in the fathers and in a few other characters who played a larger role. In a story like this, there can't be an outcome that will be perfect so I loved that this book didn't try to wrap everything up in a nice bow. It was realistic and still satisfying. I definitely recommend and would not hesitate to read another book by this author. Elizabeth, Bry and others all take their turn at being sympathetic and deeply sanctimonious and annoying. I think the author did a great job of showing how easily people rile each other up on this issue. I am a fervent believer in vaccinations, but even I recoil from someone yelling in my face how I must do this and I must do that or I'm morally-challenged and selfish. I like how the author never presented this as good vs bad because, like most things, it's more complex than that. Of the two main characters, Elizabeth the pro-vaccine mum is highly strung and painfully neurotic, while anti-vaxx mum Bryony is a messy, hippy mum “just doing her best”. The author chooses not to come down on one side or the other in the story which I found a bit pathetic and will only serve to enhance vaccine hesitancy in those who are that way inclined.Bry and Elizabeth. Lifelong friends who can read each other’s emotions by body language alone. So close that each knows what the other is thinking without needing to say a word. What could possibly shatter their bond? But just because they are close doesn’t mean that they always have to agree. Ex-solicitor Elizabeth controls her family, three children and husband, with an iron fist. Campaigning for the community and working for the benefit of others while Bry is a free spirit. Raising her daughter in what Elizabeth would call a haphazard way. Godmothers to each other’s girls, the women are always there for each other but one small decision, an apparently minor lie, will change all that forever.... Read Full Review Two families lives are changed forever when Bryony tells what is supposed to be a white lie before a child's birthday party. This small lie will have consequences so huge, they could never have began to imagine... I didn’t understand exactly how this was going to pan out for me as it was close to what’s happening in the U.K. at the moment with “herding” as regards to jabs/vaccines and Covid. A gripping analysis of the Swedish response, which examines how tensions between science, policy and politics heightened as the virus held on. If any book were capable of turning scientific debate into a thriller, this one does so; and for the armchair experts on COVID-19 that many of us have become, it is a must-read.’ – Frieda Klotz, Sunday Independent
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