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Even though there are opinions in the book it is pretty much 50/50 so if you are wary its going to be anti or pro vax then don’t be, it genuinely seeks to offer both sides of the arguement, morally and otherwise based around the story told, I liked it was so impartial and the author chose not to add her feelings/views into the story ( as quite a few tend to on various topics nowadays ) bravo to her on that front And after a few days of reading I could see why the characters in this book would seem familiar to anyone you might have an elizabeth living next door to you. The book did make me try to see both sides of the argument whilst retaining a clear sense of what's scientifically proven and what's not. Neither woman is likeable. At different times we side with each of them. I did feel a bit of sympathy for the husbands - one more than the other - but on the whole, this is a tale about privileged middle-class people and their lifestyle choices and the impact of those choices on others. What's often positioned as "My child, my choice" is quite clearly ignoring that not every child or parent has the right to exercise that choice. Wow! What an incredible book, and so timely. I was riveted! Really beautifully written, compassionately told and incredibly thought provoking. A truly immersive telling of both sides of a story. - Susan Lewis Rory Kinnear's first play, The Herd was first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in September 2013.
Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined . . . Elizabeth and Bry are best friends until their differing views start to pose a threat to whom Elizabeth loves most. Other supporting characters take their positions on either side of the debate. Hmmmm, I almost didn’t read this when saw the blurb and realised it was all about vaccines and the title ‘The Herd’ related to herd immunity ( lesson learnt re reading blurb although It probably isen’t!) even more turned off when reading the authors info at the beginning it mentioned having a chat to her ‘doula’ had inspired the book ( google doula if not heard of them ) but an author friend who had read it convinced me to give it a go and all told am pleased did Though told with clarity and balance, Emily Edwards’ The Herd is an emotional rollercoaster of a novel for readers who like their fiction to have real-life resonance, and family life at its heart. Exploring both sides of the child vaccination debate through two women, its themes and heated scenarios chime with current vaccination debates and conflicts. Namely, how societies and individuals navigate and reconcile public health needs with personal beliefs and fears.I got well and truly into this story. Focusing around the main two characters (mothers /friends) and could definitely see both sides. There are very clever short chapters on people drawn into the story but not directly involved and their feelings on the matter ( which by now you can tell I am not going to mention 🤗 ) The Herd is a debut novel for Emily Edwards. It is set pre-pandemic and is about whether to vaccinate your children. Elizabeth is pro-vaccination and has vaccinated both of her boys. Still, not her girl, Clemmie, whom she believed could not be vaccinated, isn’t. Bry, Elizabeth’s best friend, is anti-vaccine. Neither she nor her daughter has been immunised. She has been bought up to hate vaccines as her brother is non-verbal autistic, which her mother blamed on him having the MMR injection. All is fine until Bry, Alba (her daughter), and little Clemmie catches the measles, leaving Clemmie with lifelong repercussions. Of the two main characters, Elizabeth the pro-vaccine mum is highly strung and painfully neurotic, while anti-vaxx mum Bryony is a messy, hippy mum “just doing her best”. The author chooses not to come down on one side or the other in the story which I found a bit pathetic and will only serve to enhance vaccine hesitancy in those who are that way inclined.
The characters were strong and well executed and the research meticulous. The balance the author gives to both sides of the story is just perfect. The court case wrapped up with a great twist I didn’t see coming. Controversial, addictive and clever, and the characters are so multi-layered and complex they are wholly believable. ― Woman & HomeWelcome to my review of The Herd by Emily Edwards. I enjoyed this fiction book based on two families with differing opinions on vaccinating their children with devastating consequences.
A member of the book club I am part of chose this book. I really enjoyed it. Easy to get into from the start. It certainly made me think about how much trust I have previously given to medical professionals; as well as friends and colleagues. The characters are well developed, and various people around the court case balance either side of the argument. I connected to all four main characters and could empathise with them easily.Scattered between the two women's stories are inputs from others - those others being rather a mixed bunch of seemingly unrelated people. It takes a while to figure out that the are unrelated as they just appear in italics without names or descriptions. We have a woman with polio, an online troll who loves seeding arguments and pouring oil on the flames, and a bunch of other women (I think they are all women) each throwing in their few pennies worth. It's a bit odd.
Recommended Reads about Race, Racism, and Demarginalizing History - Necessary Non-fiction You Should Read for Life-changing Insights and Impact So yes I am glad I gave the book a go and listened to advice to try it and it did turn out to be a worthy amd interesting read Through the characters' friendships and past experiences we learn how others' opinions can colour our own, how we can and hear only what we want to see and hear, and in doing so how muddied and murky the vibrant kaleidoscope of life's rainbow colours can be stained a murky brown, affecting our decision making to the extreme.The book begins with a courtcase but we don’t know any details of what has happened at this stage except that a tragic event has occured resulting in a very public courtcase. Told through dual timelines and from both Elizabeth and Bryony’s voices, the author slowly and meticulously reveals the story behind the courtcase. Throughout the book there are clever and original chapters told from the “onlookers” at the Courtcase, from an online troll to a social worker which gives the reader a really varied perspective on this highly topical issue. I found the book very depressing & thought the the author's view of how other characters would behave toward the two mothers was overly influenced by how people reacted during the pandemic. As the story was set prior to Covid, I don't think people's reactions would have been so strong & vitriolic. I think that kind of behaviour & opinions was something only witnessed as the pandemic went on. LoveReading exists because books change lives, and buying books through LoveReading means you get to change the lives of future generations, with 25% of the cover price donated to schools in need. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives.
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