 The Children of Men, by P. D. James
This is dystopian science fiction, set in a near future where no children have been born for 25 years, and no one can figure out why. Although everyone is still subjected to regular fertility tests, it's gradually become accepted that the human race is dying. Some of the images of people coping are achingly pathetic: hysterical pregnancies, women pushing dolls in strollers, christening ceremonies for kittens. The narrator, Theo Faron, is a history professor (a truly pointless job by now, he acknowledges). He's clearly dealing with depression: years ago, he accidentally caused the death of his toddler, after which his marriage slowly fell apart. (I seem to be getting a lot of books with unsympathetic narrators lately!) Theo is also a cousin of the current dictator ("Warden") of England. Which is why he's approached by a small group of radicals who want him to use his influence with the Warden for reforms: humane treatment of prisoners, and an end to the euthanasia of ill elderly people (officially voluntary, but Theo witnesses a brutal killing when an acquaintance tries to resist). Then the impossible happens: one of the radicals is pregnant. She's desperate that the government not get access to her or her baby, afraid of how they'd be used. And while it's only mentioned in passing, there are also people who wouldn't want the new Adam or Eve for the human race to be Black. So begins a desperate escape and pursuit across England. The ending is kind of abrupt. It's a whole new world...or is it? Trigger warnings for infertility, accidental child death, depression, animal killing, suicide, euthanasia, and severe violence. Popsugar Reading Challenge: Characters dealing with infertility. 52 Book Club Challenge: Bookface (partial face on the cover). Booklist Queen Challenge: From the bottom of your to-read list. This Challenge Killed the Bookworm: It's the end of the world...or is it?
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