Review of All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
When I first stumbled upon All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. A post-apocalyptic tale centered around a young girl’s survival journey? Intriguing! But what really drew me in was the description of the devastation caused by climate change and the poignant exploration of human resilience. Little did I know, it would transform my understanding of both hope and loss amid a deluge.
Set against the backdrop of a submerged New York City, the story follows thirteen-year-old Nonie, her sister Bix, and their parents as they make their home atop the American Museum of Natural History—an ironic sanctuary in a world ravaged by storms and rising seas. This juxtaposition between the world’s chaos and the museum’s preserved history forms the novel’s emotional core. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency with every turning page, especially as Nonie navigates a life filled with both artifacts and despair, chronicling her ever-shifting world in a water logbook.
Caffall’s writing is nothing short of stunning. Her vivid imagery—like “that storm, the last storm of Amen, was a hypercane, like Jess predicted”—brought to life the terrifying beauty of a world now more watery than terrestrial. Through Nonie’s eyes, the eeriness of floating through a drowned city is both breathtaking and haunting. The descriptions of abandoned buildings submerged beneath a murky shroud painted a surreal landscape that lingered in my mind long after I set the book down.
The pacing of the story was masterfully crafted, especially through Caffall’s use of alternating chapters. As Nonie recounts snippets of "The World As It Was," the narrative unfolds like a delicate tapestry, weaving together past losses with present dangers. One moment I was cheering for the family’s survival in their makeshift canoe, and the next, I was holding my breath during heart-pounding encounters with desperate survivors known as the Lost. The stakes could not have felt higher, and my attachment to Nonie’s small band of characters made every tense moment that much more gripping.
Eiren Caffall dives deep into themes that will resonate with many: climate change, preservation, and grief. The characters are rich and relatable, each exhibiting a fierce love for one another that adds a tender layer to the perilous journey they embark upon. Nonie’s precociousness and her relationship with water speak volumes about the connection people can have with nature, even when faced with its destructive side. It’s a narrative that resonates profoundly, especially in today’s world.
Reflecting on my reading experience, I can confidently say that All the Water in the World is a narrative that stays with you—filled with beauty and terror, hope and despair. Readers who enjoy stories akin to Station Eleven or The Light Pirate will undoubtedly find themselves enchanted by Caffall’s delicate yet resilient storytelling.
In conclusion, if you’re searching for a profound yet thrilling read that explores survival and humanity’s fragile relationship with the environment, this book calls out to you. It’s a “don’t miss” post-apocalyptic tale that will haunt and inspire long after you reach the final page.
Discover more about All the Water in the World on GoodReads >>