When the Floods Came by Clare Morrall

When the Floods Came by Claire Morral
Buy When the Floods Came by Clare Morrall at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: General Fiction
Reviewer: Louise Jones
Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, a close-knit family live isolated from the rest of the country. One day a mysterious young man arrives, changing everything forever. But who is Aashay Kent and why is he so interested in the Polanskis?
Buy? yes	Borrow? yes
Pages: 352	Date: February 2016
Publisher: Sceptre
ISBN: 9781444736472
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Sometime in the not-too-distant future, a devastating virus has decimated the population of the UK, striking humans and animals alike and leaving Britain in a state of quarantine for decades. Most of the survivors have been left infertile and the majority of people have relocated to Brighton, where they rely on airdops from surrounding nations in order to survive. Farming is impossible, as weather conditions are harsh and extreme, including tornadoes, floods and blizzards. Not everyone chooses to live in Brighton though. In a block of flats in Birmingham live the resourceful Polanski Family: Popi, Moth, Roza, Boris, Delphine and Lucia. Moth and Popi prefer solitude and isolation and their make-do-and-mend philosophy has ensured their survival in this unconventional environment.

But children grow up, and as they do, the Polanski children become more and more curious about the world outside, especially since they have never met anyone their own age. When an enigmatic stranger arrives and invites them to the fair in Coventry, the family fall under his spell and something changes forever. Roza, despite her intense attraction for the boy, has reservations. After all, the family know nothing about his origins or intentions. Is he, as he claims, a protector and friend, or does he have more sinister intentions?

There were so many things I loved about this book. Firstly, the fact that it is set in Birmingham, an area that I am very familiar with. The post-apocalyptic setting gave a layer of menace and mystery to familiar landmarks like the Art Gallery, Spaghetti Junction and Chamberlain Square, which had been left overgrown and abandoned in the decades following the virus. And the New Library? Let's just say that the book made me see it in quite a different light...

Another highlight of the book is the small cast of characters which all have their own distinct personalities and fascinating back-stories. My favourite was Aashay, the mysterious boy who decides to make his home in the Polanski's block. He is utterly charming, as demonstrated by how quickly he manages to get the family to accept him, but he also has a sinister side, which we get to glimpse occasionally. The author is adept at manipulating our feelings towards this intriguing character, as well as leaving us guessing as to whether he is an ally or a threat.

Morral's world is alien, yet somehow recognisable. The older generation have memories of life before the virus: using social media and shopping on Amazon, which serves to anchor the reader. This bold new world is not so different from our own; which in itself is terrifying.

Don't expect a lot of action scenes; it isn't that type of book. The thrills are psychological ones, with a high level of suspense throughout. I found the ending a little 'Deus-Ex' in nature, as it seemed abrupt and rushed, but maybe that is because I was so engrossed, I didn’t want the story to end.

Claire Morral is an extremely versatile author, skilled at writing in many different genres and especially good at creating memorable characters. For something completely different, but just as compelling, try After the Bombing by Claire Morral, which follows the story of an Exeter schoolgirl in the years following World War II.

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You can read more book reviews or buy When the Floods Came by Clare Morrall at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy When the Floods Came by Clare Morrall at Amazon.com.

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