19 June, 2024

The Measure by Nikki Erlick - [Book Review]

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Book Details:

Title: The Measure

Author: Nikki Erlick

Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Fiction

Publisher: William Morrow

Print Length: 348  pages

Source: A copy from local library






Blurb:

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

Purchase Link:


My Review:


Loved this book.

The concept or theme behind the story is a very interesting point. Everyone above 21 yrs old in the world receives a mysterious package with just a string inside. Later, they all realize that the length of the string is the time left for them on the Earth. That means, short stringers die earlier and the length of the string denotes longevity.

All hell breaks loose. A few Short stringers being disappointed want to end their life and others, whereas a few long stringers become selfish and rob opportunities from short stringers as the latter are going to die soon and a few show humanity and support each other.

 It seems like the author researched the scenario in different aspects of life and connected with readers well. It is interesting to read and think about how humanity reacts to such things. I remember how people reacted to covid. 

I felt, the strength of the book is characterization. The pace of the book seemed slow to me. It felt boring in the middle of the book. The pace of the last part of the book is good though and the ending is fine too. The narrative is good. The book cover is ok.

My Rating: 4/5


About the Author:


Nikki Erlick is a writer and editor whose work has appeared on the websites of New York magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, The Huffington Post, Indagare Travel, BookTrib, and Verge Media. 

As a travel writer, she explored nearly a dozen countries on assignment—from rural villages in France to the arctic fjords of Norway. As a ghostwriter, she has lent her voice to CEOs, academics, and entrepreneurs. She graduated Harvard University summa cum laude and is a former editor of the Harvard Crimson. She earned a master’s degree in global thought from Columbia University. The Measure is her first novel.

Until next time,


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