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The Girl with All the Gifts
(The Girl With All the Gifts #1)
by
Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius."
Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.
Melanie loves school. Sh ...more
Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.
Melanie loves school. Sh ...more
Paperback, 461 pages
Published
June 19th 2014
by Orbit
(first published January 14th 2014)
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Community Reviews
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Start your review of The Girl with All the Gifts (The Girl with All the Gifts, #1)
“And then like Pandora, opening the great big box of the world and not being afraid, not even caring whether what’s inside is good or bad. Because it’s both. Everything is always both. But you have to open it to find that out.”
I have to say that I'm not much of a traditional zombie fan - moaning, slow-walking dead people are neither interesting nor scary to me - but there is nothing traditional about this book.
Firstly, this is not an old school "how to get away from the zombies and stay aliv ...more
You’d think by now we would have reached ‘peak zombie,’ right? I mean, there’s only so much you can do with a genre. But Carey mines the territory for new gold and finds it. The Girl with All the Gifts opens in the strangest classroom ever. (And as a teacher, I’ve seen some pretty strange classrooms.) After the zombie apocalypse in England, some infected children have, for reasons unknown, been turned into zombies but have also retained their human intelligence. Melanie is the research lab’s sta
...more
The last book I read (which was very good) took me 16 weeks to get through.
This one arrived yesterday morning. My wife got her hands on it first and finished it by the evening. I took over and have finished it 8pm on the next day (today). It's not a short book, 460 pages of reasonably small font. It *is* a very compelling book. The opening is the strongest I've read in an age.
It's the first book I've bought in a long time. Publishers and authors send me free books in the hope I'll read them and ...more
This one arrived yesterday morning. My wife got her hands on it first and finished it by the evening. I took over and have finished it 8pm on the next day (today). It's not a short book, 460 pages of reasonably small font. It *is* a very compelling book. The opening is the strongest I've read in an age.
It's the first book I've bought in a long time. Publishers and authors send me free books in the hope I'll read them and ...more
Creepy, eerie, & unexpected! I enjoyed this one!
Ugh.
This book has what might be the greatest first act I've ever read. I can't describe it, because part of its wonderful tension relies on the reader's ignorance of the situation. It's absolutely brilliant though, and tells a story of a tragically fascinating girl and her relationship with her teacher and the world around her. It promises so much.
Then act two begins and almost all of that is thrown out the window for boilerplate thriller territory. It is all well written, tense, and exception ...more
This book has what might be the greatest first act I've ever read. I can't describe it, because part of its wonderful tension relies on the reader's ignorance of the situation. It's absolutely brilliant though, and tells a story of a tragically fascinating girl and her relationship with her teacher and the world around her. It promises so much.
Then act two begins and almost all of that is thrown out the window for boilerplate thriller territory. It is all well written, tense, and exception ...more
Nov 02, 2013
Wendy Darling
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
2014-publication,
read-2014,
orbit,
june,
2014-favorites,
adult,
gory,
horror,
dystopian-post-apocalyptic-utopian,
uk
This is the story of a girl, locked in a room, who is strapped into a chair every morning while a man holds a gun to her head. She’s wheeled into a classroom in which there are other kids strapped into chairs just like hers, where a woman teaches them lessons that they will probably never need to learn.
This book is like a fantastic combination of
the scrupulously researched medical thriller aspects of Mira Grant's Deadline +
the queer, feral curiosity of a child who's not what she seems, like Oct ...more
This book is like a fantastic combination of
the scrupulously researched medical thriller aspects of Mira Grant's Deadline +
the queer, feral curiosity of a child who's not what she seems, like Oct ...more
now no one can yell at me ever again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjGkB...
argh, another tricky-to-review book.
i think it's safe to discuss the fact that this book is about zombies. that cat is outta that bag. but it's one of those new spins on the zombie-tale, like Raising Stony Mayhall and Zone One and The Reapers are the Angels, where the focus is not "run away from zombies aaaaaahhhh," but one which comes at the zombie story from a social philosophy angle as the survivors struggle with t ...more
argh, another tricky-to-review book.
i think it's safe to discuss the fact that this book is about zombies. that cat is outta that bag. but it's one of those new spins on the zombie-tale, like Raising Stony Mayhall and Zone One and The Reapers are the Angels, where the focus is not "run away from zombies aaaaaahhhh," but one which comes at the zombie story from a social philosophy angle as the survivors struggle with t ...more
Jul 08, 2019
Emily (Books with Emily Fox)
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
post-apocalyptic
Post apocalyptic is definitely my jam but after reading so many, some of them start blending into each other.
This one reminded me A LOT (like way too much) of The Passage. Both good but not amazing.
Now I need to check the movie!
This one reminded me A LOT (like way too much) of The Passage. Both good but not amazing.
Now I need to check the movie!
The most sure-footed novel I've read all year. A dystopian thriller with a real, beating heart. Recommend. Recommend. Recommend.
...more
...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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The Girl with All the Gifts (The Girl With All the Gifts #1), M.R. Carey
The Girl with All the Gifts is a science-fiction novel by M.R. Carey, published in June 2014 by Orbit Books, based on his 2013 Edgar Award nominated short story Iphigenia In Aulis and written concurrently with the screenplay for the 2016 film. It deals with a dystopian future in which most of humanity is wiped out by a fungal infection.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز سی ام ماه ژانویه سال 2017میلادی
عنوان: دختری با تمام موهبتها؛ نویس ...more
The Girl with All the Gifts is a science-fiction novel by M.R. Carey, published in June 2014 by Orbit Books, based on his 2013 Edgar Award nominated short story Iphigenia In Aulis and written concurrently with the screenplay for the 2016 film. It deals with a dystopian future in which most of humanity is wiped out by a fungal infection.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز سی ام ماه ژانویه سال 2017میلادی
عنوان: دختری با تمام موهبتها؛ نویس ...more
I've never read a zombie book before. Why I read this one was because a review said it was female-oriented and that got me interested. I was delighted that all the strong characters were women, and not women who were aping male characteristics or subject to the ultimate control of a male. It was interesting that the author is male, but not surprising. The best ever characterisation of a woman I have ever read is the monologue by a woman who has just lost her boyfriend and freaks in a way only gi
...more
To be fair to this book, it is not really the sort of thing I would normally read – however, it was chosen by my book club and the initial description looked quite promising. Melanie is ten and, when we meet her, she is in a base – her entire world consisting of her cell, a corridor, a shower room and a classroom. Five days a week, Melanie is strapped into a wheelchair, fastened securely and wheeled into the classroom where she, and her fellow classmates are taught. Melanie is a bright and engag
...more
A little different than what I was expecting but still great!
The Written Review
New week, New BookTube Video - all about the best (and worst) literary apocalypses to live through!
Confession: I saw the movie before reading the book
The movie was on Netflix and I already made popcorn and I had just about seen nearly every single zombie movie available. I know, I know. That's no excuse. Forgive me.
Since I saw the movie first, I went into this book with clear conceptions on how this will play out.
Thus, I expected a character similar to Sennia Nanua, who ...more
i love science fiction books. and i love dystopian plots. so why cant i seem to get behind zombie stories? :(
my mediocre rating for this has nothing to do with it being a bad book, because it really isnt. its because, for some reason, my eyes inexplicably glaze over every time i read about zombies. they just arent for me. aliens? sure. vampires? why not. but zombies? ughhh.
although the content isnt my cup of tea, there is a lot to enjoy about this. the writing is so strong, with such a precise ...more
my mediocre rating for this has nothing to do with it being a bad book, because it really isnt. its because, for some reason, my eyes inexplicably glaze over every time i read about zombies. they just arent for me. aliens? sure. vampires? why not. but zombies? ughhh.
although the content isnt my cup of tea, there is a lot to enjoy about this. the writing is so strong, with such a precise ...more
Rating: 3.5 stars
Despite the gushing praise this book has been receiving -- including a blurb by Joss Whedon -- I approached The Girl With All the Gifts with a fair amount of trepidation. I'm a zombie traditionalist at heart, which means my foray into "experimental" zombie fiction -- literary or otherwise -- has met with mixed results. I normally don't like my zombies to talk, fall in love or have existential crises. Hell, I don't even want my zombies to run; I'm all about the Romero shuffle (though there was so
...more
Buddy read with the moistest awesome... My drinking buddy Mitchell, Kelly Goldblum and The Book pusher Ed
I had this review all planned out in my head. Then I went to sleep and it's gone. Getting old sucks, kids.
This may be kinda spoilery so read at your own caution. It's hard to not say anything about the book. I went into it blind and that might be the best way to head into it. I didn't even realize it was a zombie book-and don't get me wrong I likes some zombies but I've kinda taken a break ...more
I had this review all planned out in my head. Then I went to sleep and it's gone. Getting old sucks, kids.
This may be kinda spoilery so read at your own caution. It's hard to not say anything about the book. I went into it blind and that might be the best way to head into it. I didn't even realize it was a zombie book-and don't get me wrong I likes some zombies but I've kinda taken a break ...more
Possibly 4.5 stars!
Wow! Certainly one of the most unique, most original books I have read and I won’t do it injustice by spoiling it for other readers or giving away any hint as to what this book is about. I suggest for those who haven’t read it to read it blind. This is one of those books that you’ll appreciate more when you know less about it before reading. And as much as I would want to classify this book, I feel like it would be irreverent of me to dub the book as this clichéd genre because ...more
Wow! Certainly one of the most unique, most original books I have read and I won’t do it injustice by spoiling it for other readers or giving away any hint as to what this book is about. I suggest for those who haven’t read it to read it blind. This is one of those books that you’ll appreciate more when you know less about it before reading. And as much as I would want to classify this book, I feel like it would be irreverent of me to dub the book as this clichéd genre because ...more
A refreshing reinterpretation of the horror genre that puts its focus on detailed character descriptions and moral questions instead of excessive zombality.
The few settings the novel takes place in are as convincing as the comprehensible protagonists and the professionality of an author is often shown in how to make much out of less. Without bombastic mega plots, bang bang and all the stereotypical zombie tropes, the novel deals with how normal and special gifted humans deal with exceptional sit ...more
The few settings the novel takes place in are as convincing as the comprehensible protagonists and the professionality of an author is often shown in how to make much out of less. Without bombastic mega plots, bang bang and all the stereotypical zombie tropes, the novel deals with how normal and special gifted humans deal with exceptional sit ...more
“You can’t save people from the world. There’s nowhere else to take them.”
4.5 out of 5 stars
This book. I might change my mind and give it 5 stars. I'm not sure. It's not an immediate favourite, but I loved it to pieces.
I don't like zombies. I don't like horror. But I do like my fair share of thrill, mystery and intrigue. And this was intriguing as hell.
Originally the plot threw me off. Until I saw the trailer. I just had to get hold of this book.
It's a very character driven novel, exploring feel ...more
4.5 out of 5 stars
This book. I might change my mind and give it 5 stars. I'm not sure. It's not an immediate favourite, but I loved it to pieces.
I don't like zombies. I don't like horror. But I do like my fair share of thrill, mystery and intrigue. And this was intriguing as hell.
Originally the plot threw me off. Until I saw the trailer. I just had to get hold of this book.
It's a very character driven novel, exploring feel ...more
Ten year old Melanie, a bright curious, lovable child looks forward to the days that
Miss Justineau teaches class. She never knows what day that might be, but whatever day that is-- is the happiest of all.
Melanie notices that Miss Justineau is different from other teachers. For one thing she is always wearing 'something' which is 'red' in color. Melanie notices everything about Miss Justineau. Melanie especially loves the Greek Mythology stories that Miss Justineau reads the class. She learns t ...more
Miss Justineau teaches class. She never knows what day that might be, but whatever day that is-- is the happiest of all.
Melanie notices that Miss Justineau is different from other teachers. For one thing she is always wearing 'something' which is 'red' in color. Melanie notices everything about Miss Justineau. Melanie especially loves the Greek Mythology stories that Miss Justineau reads the class. She learns t ...more
www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com
I have had this book for quite sometime and just now getting it finished! It is very nice to finally get to a book and love it so much. I did read reviews before I got the book so I already know it's a zombie book and you will too if you read mine or anyone else review.
But...wow.. there is fungus among us.. Yeah, I said that and not I'm not going to talk about it! :)
These poor kids are brought in during the week to their class all strapped down in chairs. I ...more
I have had this book for quite sometime and just now getting it finished! It is very nice to finally get to a book and love it so much. I did read reviews before I got the book so I already know it's a zombie book and you will too if you read mine or anyone else review.
But...wow.. there is fungus among us.. Yeah, I said that and not I'm not going to talk about it! :)
These poor kids are brought in during the week to their class all strapped down in chairs. I ...more
Melanie sometimes says, "I won't bite." she says it as a joke, but Sergeant's people never laugh.
this book tells us about a 10 year old kid named Melanie. She is very smart little girl and she lives in an army base. She has a favorite teacher, her name is Miss Justineau, Helen Justineau and she always loves whichever day Miss Justineau teaches. but one day, something happens to this army base. Hungries are inside the army base and they start eating people and there are b ...more
Dec 16, 2014
Kelly (and the Book Boar)
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
read-in-2014,
everyone-loved-it-but-me
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“Then like Pandora, opening the great big box of the world and not being afraid, not even caring whether what’s inside is good or bad. Because it’s both. Everything is always both. But you have to open it to find that out.”
Melanie has been a prisoner for a long time. All of her days are the same. Guards come to her cell, strap her securely into a chair and wheel her down the hall . . . . to a classroom? Obviously Melanie isn’t your ...more
“Then like Pandora, opening the great big box of the world and not being afraid, not even caring whether what’s inside is good or bad. Because it’s both. Everything is always both. But you have to open it to find that out.”
Melanie has been a prisoner for a long time. All of her days are the same. Guards come to her cell, strap her securely into a chair and wheel her down the hall . . . . to a classroom? Obviously Melanie isn’t your ...more
May 15, 2014
Mogsy (MMOGC)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
zombies,
science-fiction,
favorites,
arcs-and-galleys,
post-apocalyptic,
review-copy,
horror
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201...
I confess, I’m not very good when it comes to pulling information out of book descriptions. But all I know is, when I first heard about The Girl with All The Gifts, it piqued my interest right away. Here you have a story about a bright young girl named Melanie, who for some reason everyone seems deathly afraid of. Being held at gun-point while being strapped into a wheelchair just to go to class? Judging by level of parano ...more
I confess, I’m not very good when it comes to pulling information out of book descriptions. But all I know is, when I first heard about The Girl with All The Gifts, it piqued my interest right away. Here you have a story about a bright young girl named Melanie, who for some reason everyone seems deathly afraid of. Being held at gun-point while being strapped into a wheelchair just to go to class? Judging by level of parano ...more
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
Before reading this I didn't even glance at the synopsis. This is a bad habit of mine, if a bunch of people I trust have liked a book I sometimes don't even bother seeing what it's about before adding it to my TBR. In this case, avoiding the synopsis was this book's saving grace because I'm not sure I would have picked it up if I hadn't.
It's well known among my friends that I very much dislike the "zombie/virus" theme. I just really don't find it interesting for the most ...more
Before reading this I didn't even glance at the synopsis. This is a bad habit of mine, if a bunch of people I trust have liked a book I sometimes don't even bother seeing what it's about before adding it to my TBR. In this case, avoiding the synopsis was this book's saving grace because I'm not sure I would have picked it up if I hadn't.
It's well known among my friends that I very much dislike the "zombie/virus" theme. I just really don't find it interesting for the most ...more
The Girl with All the Gifts (The Girl With All The Gifts #1) by M.R. Carey is a book I have been seeing on Goodreads and my son asked if I had heard of it because he watched the movie. He said the movie was great. I decided right then I had to read this book. I really didn't know to much about it, just the blurb and that everyone enjoyed it. I really, really enjoyed the book but the ending was a bit...weird. Good weird. Stuff to think about...heavy thinking at the end of the book is my kind of
...more
Jul 04, 2014
Amanda
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
blog,
cover-worse-than-book
When Joss Whedon says, "read this," I heed the call.
Only 10 years old, Melanie is brimming with curiosity about the world and unabashedly enthusiastic about school. Blessed with a genius intellect, a kind heart, and a love of mythology, it's easy to fall in love with the precocious protagonist of The Girl With All the Gifts. However, despite these gifts, the world is very afraid of Melanie--every morning, two armed guards arrive at her cell, strap her by the legs, arms, and neck to a wheelchair, ...more
Only 10 years old, Melanie is brimming with curiosity about the world and unabashedly enthusiastic about school. Blessed with a genius intellect, a kind heart, and a love of mythology, it's easy to fall in love with the precocious protagonist of The Girl With All the Gifts. However, despite these gifts, the world is very afraid of Melanie--every morning, two armed guards arrive at her cell, strap her by the legs, arms, and neck to a wheelchair, ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B2F Book 2 Film | 1 | 4 | May 07, 2021 09:53AM | |
| SciFi and Fantasy...: "The Girl With All The Gifts" - First Impressions *No Spoilers* | 70 | 339 | Feb 02, 2021 04:52PM | |
| Play Book Tag: The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey 4 stars | 2 | 11 | Jan 09, 2021 07:42AM | |
| Tome Time: Read: Chapter 72 | 5 | 6 | Jul 21, 2020 12:00PM | |
| Tome Time: Read: Chapter 61 | 4 | 4 | Jul 19, 2020 02:14PM |
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Mike Carey is the acclaimed writer of Lucifer and Hellblazer (now filmed as Constantine). He has recently completed a comics adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, and is the current writer on Marvel's X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four. He has also written the screenplay for a movie, Frost Flowers, which is soon to be produced by Hadaly Films and Bluestar Pictures.
Also writes as Mike Carey ...more
Also writes as Mike Carey ...more
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The Girl With All the Gifts
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“you can't save people from the world. There's nowhere else to take them.”
—
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“Melanie thinks: when your dreams come true, your true has moved. You've already stopped being the person who had the dreams, so it feels more like a weird echo of something that already happened to you a long time ago.”
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