Title: The Drowned Cities
Author: Paolo Bacigalupi
First published May 1, 2012
437 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780316056243 (ISBN10: 0316056243)
Rating: 3.9
Overview
Twelve is a haunting novel that takes us on a journey through the excesses of the privileged youth of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Nick McDonell’s debut novel is a chilling portrayal of teenage loneliness and the consequences of unchecked decadence.
The story follows the life of White Mike, a drug dealer, as he navigates the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve in 1999. McDonell’s writing is both powerful and evocative as he takes us through the world of the wealthy and the reckless.
The book has been hailed by critics all over the world and has appeared on best-seller lists in major publications. With its unforgettable characters and its apocalyptic climax, Twelve is a novel that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
About the Author
Paolo Bacigalupi is an acclaimed author who has written books for both adults and young people. His first novel, THE WINDUP GIRL, was praised by TIME Magazine as one of the top ten novels of 2009.
Additionally, it won numerous prestigious awards such as the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Compton Crook, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards.
It was also recognized globally with awards like the Seiun Award in Japan, The Ignotus Award in Spain, The Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis in Germany, and the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire in France.
Bacigalupi’s debut young adult novel, SHIP BREAKER, received accolades as well, winning the Michael L. Printz Award and being named a National Book Award Finalist.
Its sequel, THE DROWNED CITIES, was also highly acclaimed, earning recognition as a 2012 Kirkus Reviews Best of YA Book, a 2012 VOYA Perfect Ten Book, and a 2012 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist. The final book in the series, TOOL OF WAR, will be released in October 2017.
His latest novel for adults, THE WATER KNIFE, is a New York Times Bestseller. It is a thrilling near-future tale that explores the issues of climate change and drought in the southwestern United States.
Editoral Review
In “The Drowned Cities,” Paolo Bacigalupi delivers a gripping tale of survival and humanity set against a backdrop of violence and war. Bacigalupi, known for his environmentally-focused science fiction works, continues his exploration of a dystopian future in this young adult novel.
Set in a future America destroyed by environmental disasters, wars, and political corruption, the story follows two orphaned children, Mahlia and Mouse, as they struggle to survive in the dangerous and flooded landscape of the drowned cities. Mahlia, a half-Chinese, half-African American girl and Mouse, a genetically modified boy with webbed fingers, must navigate treacherous lands ruled by warlords, child soldiers, and genetically modified creatures.
Bacigalupi masterfully constructs a world where climate change, resource depletion, and war have devastated the planet, creating a society that values only strength, violence, and power. The novel explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the corrupting nature of power.
The characters, particularly Mahlia and Mouse, are complex, flawed, and vulnerable, and their struggles to survive in the bleak environment they find themselves in are both heartbreaking and inspiring. The novel’s pacing is intense, with action and suspense driving the plot forward.
The narrative is aided by the author’s vivid descriptions of the drowned cities and the creatures that inhabit them. Bacigalupi’s writing style is concise and direct, and his use of language is evocative, creating a sense of urgency and danger that keeps the reader on edge.
Despite its strengths, “The Drowned Cities” is not without flaws. Some of the plot elements feel predictable, and the novel relies heavily on tropes familiar to fans of the dystopian genre.
Additionally, the novel’s exploration of themes such as identity and power could be further developed to provide more nuance and complexity. Overall, “The Drowned Cities” is a compelling and intense read that fans of dystopian literature and science fiction will enjoy.
The novel raises important questions about our current society and the future that may await us if we continue along our current trajectory. I recommend this book to young adults and fans of dystopian literature looking for a fast-paced, action-packed read.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
