The Perfect Short Book to Read in the Dark

Scribe, by Alyson Hagy ★ ★ ★ ★ Loved it!

8/2/2021

The Perfect Short Book to Read in the Dark

BOOK REVIEW
[no spoilers]
*
Scribe by Alyson Hagy
*
When you finish a book, do you turn the last page and flip back to the cover? Whatever art there seems infinitely more complex now that you know what's inside.
*
Scribe is a relatively short book, 176 pages, but it's not a quick read. The writing is eloquent and punchy and forces you to slow down. But it's also dark and ambiguous.
*
In this post-apocalyptic setting, the sense of impending dread is undeniable and a lot to take in — in an unfortunately, relatable way, given the last year.
*
The beginning of the story is cloaked in mystery. Speculations and questions rise to the surface almost from page one. You have to stick with the characters through the confusion and doubt to get to why they are the way they are. But the wait is worth your while, especially for the grand twist near the end that will twist your insides up right along with the main characters.
*
You'll love and hate each character as you learn who they are, who they were, and where they'll end up.
*
The standout elements of Scribe are Hagy's style and the bizarre circumstances of the setting. Hagy weaves together an incredible variety of sentence structure that brings this post-apocalyptic world right off the pages. Additionally, writing letters as a bargaining tool of survival is a fascinating concept. The written word has a powerful hold over these characters and is used for good and bad in this world where reading and writing are no longer practiced.
*
The cover art is chilling, just like the story.

Click here to purchase Scribe by Alyson Hagy