The declaration by Gemma Malley
Bloomsbury, 2007.
(Age 12+) A highly original and chilling dystopian future is depicted
in The Declaration. Longevity
drugs have ensured that nobody needs to die, but as resources run out,
people have signed the Declaration, promising not have children. The
only children born are to those people who opt out of immortality and
if found are seized by the authorities. Anna is one of these children
who are known as 'Surpluses'. She lives a bitter life in an Institution
where she is trained to be a house maid for the Legals. When a boy
arrives from the outside, she hears disturbing information about her
parents and is forced to make some difficult decisions.
The ideal of staying young is currently strong in our society with the
media and industry pushing cosmetic surgery, drugs and potions to stave
off old age. Malley
has taken this further and shown the reader a world that so worships
the idea of staying young that its people are prepared to give up
having children. Anna's life in a stark home is brilliantly depicted
with images of a ruthless matron, bullying of young children,
semi-starvation and ruthless brainwashing staying with the reader.
This is a gripping tale that carried me along to finish the book in one
sitting. Anna's development from a brain-washed girl to one who takes
risks, is well handled. The conclusion is rather sudden but it does
appear that there will be a sequel to satisfy readers.
Younger readers who liked the Uglies
series or How I live now by
Meg Rosoff will enjoy this and more mature readers could be guided to The handmaid's tale by Margaret
Atwood or The Children of Men
by P.D. James after reading this novel.
Recommended.
Pat Pledger
© Pledger
Consulting, 2007