

The Measure
Books | Fiction / General
4.1
(463)
Nikki Erlick
Age of Miracles meets The Immortalists in this spirit-lifting, high-concept blockbuster debut set in a world where people can find out how much time they have left to live. Would you choose to find out the length of your life? One spring day, small wooden boxes arrive for every person, all over the world, from suburban doorsteps to desert tents. All the boxes feature the same inscription, “The measure of your life lies within,” and vary in only two ways: the name of the recipient and the length of the single string inside. Instantly, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy, first to ascertain their origin and meaning, and then to confront the truth of the strings. Told through multiple perspectives, The Measure introduces an unforgettable cast of characters whose lives weave and interlock with one another upon the arrival of the strings: a doctor who cannot save himself, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, and a politician whose string becomes a powder keg in an increasingly turbulent world. As society divides itself, the truth has the power to unravel their long-held beliefs and relationships all while forging new alliances and philosophies about our time on this earth and our place in the community. Both heartbreaking and profoundly uplifting, The Measure is a sweeping, ambitious meditation on life, family, and society that challenges us to consider the best way to live life to the fullest.
Science Fiction
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More Details:
Author
Nikki Erlick
Pages
352
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Published Date
2022
ISBN
0008491526 9780008491529
Community ReviewsSee all
"I enjoyed the concept here and was able to follow the intertwining story lines for the characters. It is easy so see the tension and friction caused between individuals with vastly different strong lengths. I can see how most readers will really enjoy this book but I failed to get deeply invested into the story and my interest drifted off at times. "
"I am so glad that I recommended this book for my book club. It was so good I read it in a day. There is so much to discuss about this wonderful book. If you had a chance to know when you are going to die, would you take it? If you found out you had only a short time left, who would you tell?
Nikki Erlich weaves a intricate story with connections that gave me goosebumps. Her characters are sonreal they inspire both love and hate.
I definitely recommend this book. "
"The question being, would you look?<br/><br/>From the beginning, I was instantly intrigued. This is a very character driven story about how lives can intertwine in the best of ways. The boxes began as a mystery and it was interesting how the world reacted. The author did an excellent job of mapping out the consequences of this phenomenon.<br/><br/>Of course prejudices arose. It's what humanity excels at. So, often this was a very discouraging read. It's sad that our history displays that in times we need compassion we often do the opposite. The boxes felt like an experiment and made this story very thought provoking. Even though tough at times I enjoyed this story very much."
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