Changes

Aww. ''And Then We Ran'' is a lovely read. Mostly, it is a universal story of young people at the threshold of adulthood and carrying all those terrifying anxieties about whether their interests and passions can translate into a fulfilling, grown-up life. Parental concern feels like coercion. It feels as though barriers are everywhere. Fear and excitement co-exist and jostle one another out of the way to the front of the mind. For both Megan and Elliot, all this is heightened because they are also recovering from recent traumas - the death of Megan's sister, the conviction of Elliot's father. These things generate big feelings at a time of great change. You have to root for the pair of them, really, don't you? I liked impulsive, creative Megan and I also liked reserved, thoughtful Elliot. We need people of all stripes to make up a good world. The story is told from both their perspectives in a dual narrative, so you have equal sympathy for their respective dilemmas.