The electric kingdom by David Arnold

If you are after a complex, dark, dystopian novel, with the world devastated by fly flu and swarms of flies devouring all living things, then this may be the novel for you. It is one that left me wondering just what happened, trying to work out the complicated plot and wishing that I had time to reread slowly and carefully to find clues to what has happened.

It is told by three narrators, Nico, an 18 year old young woman who has been sent on a quest to find a portal by her father who will ring a mysterious bell when she arrives on the 8th day; Kit a young boy who has been brought up by Dakota in an abandoned cinema and carries a key in remembrance of her, and the Deliverer, who lives life after life, bring essential supplies to a few survivors. All the surrounding characters are fully developed. Nico is accompanied by her dog Harry, while Kit leaves the cinema with Monty and Lakie on a trip to try and find a colony of survivors on an island. They meet up with Loretta, Pringles, and Lennon on a quest to get to Boston and decide to go part of the way together. There are hopeful moments as love develops, and heart wrenching ones as the flies attack.

It was very easy to become invested with each of the characters as their circumstances and trials, loves and hopes are described, and I was left hoping that each would survive in such terrible times. The plot is intricate, the writing lyrical and the themes of storytelling, eternal life, art, survival, and love are ones to ponder. Teaching notes are available from the publisher.

I will be sure to pick up other books by David Arnold after reading this highly original book.

Themes: Dystopian fiction, Science fiction, Quests, Survival, Art, Love.

Pat Pledger