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The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales
An astounding tale of a dangerous quest, a talking dog, and fragmented fairy tales in an eerie post-climate collapse future.
A long time ago, the Vanderchucks fled the growing climate disaster and followed their neighbours into the Underground. Jesse Vanderchuck thought it was the end. Of the world. Of life. Eventually, Jesse’s little sister, Olivia, ran away and Jesse started picking through trash heaps in Toronto’s abandoned subway tunnels. Day in, day out.
Now, years later, Jesse meets a talking dog. Fighting illness and the hostile world aboveground, Jesse and Doggo embark on a fool’s errand to find Olivia ― or die trying. Along the way, Jesse spins a series of fairy tales from threads of memories, weaving together the past, present, and future into stories of brave girls, of cunning lads, of love in the face of wickedness, and of hope in the midst of despair.
A long time ago, the Vanderchucks fled the growing climate disaster and followed their neighbours into the Underground. Jesse Vanderchuck thought it was the end. Of the world. Of life. Eventually, Jesse’s little sister, Olivia, ran away and Jesse started picking through trash heaps in Toronto’s abandoned subway tunnels. Day in, day out.
Now, years later, Jesse meets a talking dog. Fighting illness and the hostile world aboveground, Jesse and Doggo embark on a fool’s errand to find Olivia ― or die trying. Along the way, Jesse spins a series of fairy tales from threads of memories, weaving together the past, present, and future into stories of brave girls, of cunning lads, of love in the face of wickedness, and of hope in the midst of despair.
296 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2021
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November 2, 2020oh, you mean The 2020 Book of Fairy Tales??
May 4, 2021
The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales by Emily Brewes is a dystopian science fiction fantasy. The main character in this one has grown up in his dystopian “after” world in which his family had joined others in hiding underground when the end of times came. However, one of the children runs away from the family and had never returned.
Jesse Vanderchuck is now grown and has determined that it is time for him to leave the home he has known growing up and go in search of his sister that disappeared from the underground years before. As Jesse goes on his journey readers are told the “fairy tales” by way of Jesse’s memory.
I have to say this was sort of a rather strange one as you go from the main story to each of the tales along the way. I found myself more caught up and wanting to know more of Jesse, his talking dog and his current world more so than enjoying the tales he told along the way and wanting a deeper story on that front. In the end I found this one to be an OK read that went by quickly.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Jesse Vanderchuck is now grown and has determined that it is time for him to leave the home he has known growing up and go in search of his sister that disappeared from the underground years before. As Jesse goes on his journey readers are told the “fairy tales” by way of Jesse’s memory.
I have to say this was sort of a rather strange one as you go from the main story to each of the tales along the way. I found myself more caught up and wanting to know more of Jesse, his talking dog and his current world more so than enjoying the tales he told along the way and wanting a deeper story on that front. In the end I found this one to be an OK read that went by quickly.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
December 7, 2020
I wish to thank NetGalley and Dundurn Press for an advanced copy of this fantastic and enchanted book. Set in a grim post-apocalyptic world after environmental collapse, conditions make survival almost impossible. Winters are unbearably cold with lethal blizzards. Summers have become impossibly hot, turning the earth into deserts and intermixed with torrential rain and tornados. There is no longer any livestock, and edible vegetation is dying. Food is scarce, and people are starving. Former diseases that have been eliminated have returned, and new unknown plagues take their toll on human life.
The Vanderchucks are living in a rural area in Canada. After their neighbours have perished or fled to the Underground in the city, their mother follows with her two children, Jesse, and his younger sister, Olivia. Their father remains behind. Living in the abandoned subway tunnels under Toronto, they begin picking through trash heaps for anything edible or useful. Olivia eventually runs away in search of the father, and their mother dies. As the years pass, Jesse suffers from isolation, loneliness, and semi-starvation. Some of the scenes are ghastly as people try to survive in this devastated world.
Jesse is growing old. He is accident-prone and frequently ill, living in an impoverished state in the tunnel. One day he finds a talking dog. Doggo is a mangy, thin, ugly, misshapen mutt who becomes Jesse's friend and companion. Doggo is always hungry and names Jesse "The Food Bringer." Jesse considers Doggo to be stupid but loves him dearly. Their conversations are so hilarious I often found myself laughing out loud despite the hopeless circumstances.
After becoming sick with an infectious disease, Jesse is banished from the Underground. He ventures into the outside world with Doggo for the first time in 35 years in the tunnel. He finds the state of nature and weather to have become even worse than he remembered.
Jesse has been entertaining himself and the receptive Doggo by telling half-remembered fairy tales. When his memory fails him, he makes up wonderful, hopeful tales of beautiful women, handsome princes, animals, and mythical creatures. He wanders the desolate, ruined landscape with Doggo,
hoping to find his long-lost sister and their father.
Even with its anguish and gloomy background, I adored the story up to about the 60% point. I found the latter part of the book quite melancholy because most of the humour that relieved the post-apocalyptic tale was greatly diminished. I thought that Jesse deserved a happier ending. The change in tone, further illnesses and accidents by the elderly Jesse lead to a more sombre atmosphere.
I greatly admired this debut book by Emily Brewes. This was a work of vivid imagination and fictional world-building. The storyline was well done, and the author managed to make the characters and the future world situation completely believable. I definitely want to read her next book! 4.5 stars
The Vanderchucks are living in a rural area in Canada. After their neighbours have perished or fled to the Underground in the city, their mother follows with her two children, Jesse, and his younger sister, Olivia. Their father remains behind. Living in the abandoned subway tunnels under Toronto, they begin picking through trash heaps for anything edible or useful. Olivia eventually runs away in search of the father, and their mother dies. As the years pass, Jesse suffers from isolation, loneliness, and semi-starvation. Some of the scenes are ghastly as people try to survive in this devastated world.
Jesse is growing old. He is accident-prone and frequently ill, living in an impoverished state in the tunnel. One day he finds a talking dog. Doggo is a mangy, thin, ugly, misshapen mutt who becomes Jesse's friend and companion. Doggo is always hungry and names Jesse "The Food Bringer." Jesse considers Doggo to be stupid but loves him dearly. Their conversations are so hilarious I often found myself laughing out loud despite the hopeless circumstances.
After becoming sick with an infectious disease, Jesse is banished from the Underground. He ventures into the outside world with Doggo for the first time in 35 years in the tunnel. He finds the state of nature and weather to have become even worse than he remembered.
Jesse has been entertaining himself and the receptive Doggo by telling half-remembered fairy tales. When his memory fails him, he makes up wonderful, hopeful tales of beautiful women, handsome princes, animals, and mythical creatures. He wanders the desolate, ruined landscape with Doggo,
hoping to find his long-lost sister and their father.
Even with its anguish and gloomy background, I adored the story up to about the 60% point. I found the latter part of the book quite melancholy because most of the humour that relieved the post-apocalyptic tale was greatly diminished. I thought that Jesse deserved a happier ending. The change in tone, further illnesses and accidents by the elderly Jesse lead to a more sombre atmosphere.
I greatly admired this debut book by Emily Brewes. This was a work of vivid imagination and fictional world-building. The storyline was well done, and the author managed to make the characters and the future world situation completely believable. I definitely want to read her next book! 4.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2021
The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales by Emily Brewes is a Fantasy Dystopian novel with the main character, Jesse who has been born in the world after the event, and is hiding with his family. I liked the concept where we get to read some fairy tales from Jesse's memory. But the book went by very fast without leaving any impact as such. A good one time read.
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Thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for eARC
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Thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for eARC
August 12, 2021
Set in a dystopian future where most of humankind has taken to living Underground, away from the devastating apocalyptic results of climate change, this dark fairytale follows adult Jesse Vanderchuck, whose family fled from rural Canada when he was a child to the city to live among the subways and tunnels beneath the surface, leaving his father at home.
Decades later, unhealthy and accident-prone Jesse has tired of a life of hunger and poverty, and decides to attempt to reach the surface, and find his sister who fled for home as a teenager. He meets a talking dog named Doggo, who quickly befriends Jesse (or "Food Bringer", as he calls him), and they set off on their quest together.
I have really mixed thoughts about this book. It's yet another book set in a dystopian future that I think I would have read differently, had it been released a couple of years ago. Dystopian fiction just hits differently at the moment, and I know I'm not the only one who thinks so. It's slightly exhausting, because it's a little too relatable at times.
Regardless, there was a lot about this book to love. I particularly loved Emily Brewes' poetic descriptions of location, scenery, and general setting. It's beautiful, even when horrific.
Doggo... oh Doggo. I have a lot of conflicting thoughts about Doggo. Something about him, his dialogue (which reminded me, unfortunately, of that Twitter account "Thoughts of Dog" which I loathe), just felt a little out of place. And a talking dog in an otherwise unmagical world should feel out of place, but he just threw the atmosphere off a little for me.
I'm just not sure what I think of this book overall. It felt like it was trying to be about five books at once (and with the fairytales told within it, maybe it was). I wish I liked it more than I did. Perhaps if I'd been hooked in enough to read it in a few days rather than across several months, I would do.
If the description appeals to you, give it a go. You may well click with it and love it.
A warning... there's a couple of instances early on of some pretty gross body horror due to the setting being within a community constantly on the brink of starvation.
2.5 stars, rounded down.
I'm going to start adding this spoiler tag to any stories that prominently feature animals from now on, because a) it's something I've been messaged about re: previous books with key animal characters and b) it's something I always want to know before reading...
-- Does the dog die? --
Decades later, unhealthy and accident-prone Jesse has tired of a life of hunger and poverty, and decides to attempt to reach the surface, and find his sister who fled for home as a teenager. He meets a talking dog named Doggo, who quickly befriends Jesse (or "Food Bringer", as he calls him), and they set off on their quest together.
I have really mixed thoughts about this book. It's yet another book set in a dystopian future that I think I would have read differently, had it been released a couple of years ago. Dystopian fiction just hits differently at the moment, and I know I'm not the only one who thinks so. It's slightly exhausting, because it's a little too relatable at times.
Regardless, there was a lot about this book to love. I particularly loved Emily Brewes' poetic descriptions of location, scenery, and general setting. It's beautiful, even when horrific.
Doggo... oh Doggo. I have a lot of conflicting thoughts about Doggo. Something about him, his dialogue (which reminded me, unfortunately, of that Twitter account "Thoughts of Dog" which I loathe), just felt a little out of place. And a talking dog in an otherwise unmagical world should feel out of place, but he just threw the atmosphere off a little for me.
I'm just not sure what I think of this book overall. It felt like it was trying to be about five books at once (and with the fairytales told within it, maybe it was). I wish I liked it more than I did. Perhaps if I'd been hooked in enough to read it in a few days rather than across several months, I would do.
If the description appeals to you, give it a go. You may well click with it and love it.
A warning... there's a couple of instances early on of some pretty gross body horror due to the setting being within a community constantly on the brink of starvation.
2.5 stars, rounded down.
I'm going to start adding this spoiler tag to any stories that prominently feature animals from now on, because a) it's something I've been messaged about re: previous books with key animal characters and b) it's something I always want to know before reading...
-- Does the dog die? --
March 3, 2022
The Doomsday Book Of Fairy Tales is a strange read. I don't mind strange and nonsensical books, hell, Alice In Wonderland is one of my favorite books of all time, but still... I like them when they have a purpose, This book hasn't.
I don't know how to form an opinion on the main character and characters. I was convinced the MC was a she, but while reading other reviews I found out the character is actually genderless and some referred to Jesse as a he. And this confused me even more, because, how did I not realise this while reading? Jesse is forever going to be a she in mind because that's how I saw the character in the book, but I'm going to use they/them pronouns in this review. I have to thank other reviewers for mentioning this because it went over my head.
But this isn't the only thing that left me confused... how old is this main character anyway? From how they spoke and acted I assumed they were a teenager, but then it is mentioned Jesse is supposed to be at least in their thirties and I was so baffled. The timeline doesn't add up. Was all of this on purpose?
To get into the plot, Jesse lives underground, because climate change made the world hostile apparently. So, all humanity moved underground, I guess? There is so little world-building, I couldn't tell you much more than this. I had so many questions and nothing was explained. Anyway, Jesse leaves the underground to find their sister who left years before, but... why now? Why years after being alone and miserable they only leave now? What pushed them into leaving? Is it because they're sick? And also, they have a talking dog. And Jesse shows zero curiosity towards why and how this dog appeared in the underground and... how in the hell can he talk? I convinced myself the main character was hallucinating and unreliable since this would make more sense.
Jesse makes it out despite being sick because they get cured somehow? I don't really understand how they cured him. Humanity lives underground with very few resources, but they have advanced medicine apparently? (And also, they eat potatoes, where do they find potatoes?? Or any food?? Or water?? anyways...). I was so curious to experience Earth destroyed by climate change but not much was destroyed except for a few houses. The consequences sound like what we're experiencing right now in the real world, definitely not enough to prompt all humanity to move underground. What's so hostile? I don't get it.
The moment Jesse meets their sister is so bleak and underwhelming and there was zero emotion, from both of them. Then, Jesse and their sister realise something big, something they thought it was true but wasn't, something that would have left me shaken for a long time, and they just gloss over it. No resolution, no emotions. It's whatever.
The fairytales might have been nice. I know some people loved them, but I just didn't see the point. Why have them if they're not valuable to the story? Make them relevant to the plot, to the character. Something.
I have so many more issues with the book, but I'm going to stop here.
I'm probably going to say something mean, but this book sounds like a first or second draft. It could have been good, the idea was there. I'm surprised it didn't go under more rounds of edits before being published,
Also... the book just ends. With no point. No destination, nothing. It left me unsure of what I read or what even happened at the end.
Two stars only because I saw potential in the story.
I don't know how to form an opinion on the main character and characters. I was convinced the MC was a she, but while reading other reviews I found out the character is actually genderless and some referred to Jesse as a he. And this confused me even more, because, how did I not realise this while reading? Jesse is forever going to be a she in mind because that's how I saw the character in the book, but I'm going to use they/them pronouns in this review. I have to thank other reviewers for mentioning this because it went over my head.
But this isn't the only thing that left me confused... how old is this main character anyway? From how they spoke and acted I assumed they were a teenager, but then it is mentioned Jesse is supposed to be at least in their thirties and I was so baffled. The timeline doesn't add up. Was all of this on purpose?
To get into the plot, Jesse lives underground, because climate change made the world hostile apparently. So, all humanity moved underground, I guess? There is so little world-building, I couldn't tell you much more than this. I had so many questions and nothing was explained. Anyway, Jesse leaves the underground to find their sister who left years before, but... why now? Why years after being alone and miserable they only leave now? What pushed them into leaving? Is it because they're sick? And also, they have a talking dog. And Jesse shows zero curiosity towards why and how this dog appeared in the underground and... how in the hell can he talk? I convinced myself the main character was hallucinating and unreliable since this would make more sense.
Jesse makes it out despite being sick because they get cured somehow? I don't really understand how they cured him. Humanity lives underground with very few resources, but they have advanced medicine apparently? (And also, they eat potatoes, where do they find potatoes?? Or any food?? Or water?? anyways...). I was so curious to experience Earth destroyed by climate change but not much was destroyed except for a few houses. The consequences sound like what we're experiencing right now in the real world, definitely not enough to prompt all humanity to move underground. What's so hostile? I don't get it.
The moment Jesse meets their sister is so bleak and underwhelming and there was zero emotion, from both of them. Then, Jesse and their sister realise something big, something they thought it was true but wasn't, something that would have left me shaken for a long time, and they just gloss over it. No resolution, no emotions. It's whatever.
The fairytales might have been nice. I know some people loved them, but I just didn't see the point. Why have them if they're not valuable to the story? Make them relevant to the plot, to the character. Something.
I have so many more issues with the book, but I'm going to stop here.
I'm probably going to say something mean, but this book sounds like a first or second draft. It could have been good, the idea was there. I'm surprised it didn't go under more rounds of edits before being published,
Also... the book just ends. With no point. No destination, nothing. It left me unsure of what I read or what even happened at the end.
Two stars only because I saw potential in the story.
December 24, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is set in a dystopian future in which the earth has been destroyed by people who have ruined the climate, resulting in extreme weather making it uninhabitable. Hence why people have started living underground. Jesse Vanderchuck moves underground with his little sister Olivia and his mother, but Olivia runs away at some point, leaving Jesse and his mom behind. Upon meeting a talking dog, Jesse decides to go above ground to look for his sister while battling illness and the hostile climate. During their journey, Jesse tells all sorts of fairy tales.
To be completely honest, I primarily requested this book for its beautiful cover art and its intriguing title. Even though it started off slow, I found myself not being able to stop reading once I had warmed up to the storyline. It definitely is not your typical dystopian novel.
This book is very interesting and somewhat chaotic at the same time. The fairytales were definitely my favourite bits to read, they were truly refreshing. I was very neutral about Jesse as a main character because they were not written in a way that would have you form a strong opinion about them. To be honest, I am unsure of whether Jesse is a boy or girl (not that it matters for the story).
Set on this gloomy version of earth, filled with anguish and despair, I really enjoyed the story. The tone of the story followed along accurately with Jesse's decline in health. Brewes' novel has a very interesting premise, and I think people should definitely give this book a go, even though I know it will not be everyone's cup of tea.
The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is set in a dystopian future in which the earth has been destroyed by people who have ruined the climate, resulting in extreme weather making it uninhabitable. Hence why people have started living underground. Jesse Vanderchuck moves underground with his little sister Olivia and his mother, but Olivia runs away at some point, leaving Jesse and his mom behind. Upon meeting a talking dog, Jesse decides to go above ground to look for his sister while battling illness and the hostile climate. During their journey, Jesse tells all sorts of fairy tales.
To be completely honest, I primarily requested this book for its beautiful cover art and its intriguing title. Even though it started off slow, I found myself not being able to stop reading once I had warmed up to the storyline. It definitely is not your typical dystopian novel.
This book is very interesting and somewhat chaotic at the same time. The fairytales were definitely my favourite bits to read, they were truly refreshing. I was very neutral about Jesse as a main character because they were not written in a way that would have you form a strong opinion about them. To be honest, I am unsure of whether Jesse is a boy or girl (not that it matters for the story).
Set on this gloomy version of earth, filled with anguish and despair, I really enjoyed the story. The tone of the story followed along accurately with Jesse's decline in health. Brewes' novel has a very interesting premise, and I think people should definitely give this book a go, even though I know it will not be everyone's cup of tea.
March 1, 2021
Upfront "housekeeping": Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book. There are some spoilers in this review. Also, if you want to read my full (and probably somewhat verbose) but spoiler-free review, you can go to my personal blog. Don't worry, you'll get the highlights and baseline here, plus the aforementioned spoilers. You'll just get moar words on my blog.
Overall, man, this was a slough for me. The description of the book (you can see it here) is not bad. It is, in fact, a credit to the marketing department of Dundurn Press.
Why do I say that's a credit to the marketing department? Well, to be blunt, for me, this book was not an astounding tale, about a dangerous quest, nor in an eerie world. Jesse did fight illness. The world above and Underground was hostile, I guess, but it felt like it was hostile in the same way that hiking in the true wilderness can be hostile. The hostility of both above and Underground is, as you probably won't be the least bit surprised to see, also is rooted in interactions with humans and human society. Not to minimize the climate changes we're seeing today, but it didn't set off "THIS IS HORRIBLE, HOW COULD PEOPLE SURVIVE?!?" bells. It barely even made sense, based on the description of the changes provided, why people would say "Screw this, I'm going Underground to be safe!" especially when later in the book, Jesse, their sister, and so most likely others, were clearly living above those Underground and while there was serious degredation to lifestyle, it honestly still sounded better than what pioneers faced.
As for the tale and quest, as I said above, they didn't do it for me. The fairy tales were nice and decently written, but as with so much else about this book, they were just there. They didn't seem more than vaugely (if even that) inspired by issues, dangers, or events during Jesse's journey and they didn't seem to add anything to anything.
Can I just say that the denouement of this story really didn't do it for me? I can't get into it too much becase again, dun-dun-duuuun spoilers, but it was just so unrealistic to me, that I am ashamed I almost wrapped this review without mentioning it.
Maybe this is more of a reflection on me than on the book, but I didn't connect with the characters, their world, or the point of this story. At all. I barely even connected with Doggo and trust me, that should be ringing warning bells to you, if you know me. That Doggo became a kind of guiding beacon, a reason to do something besides give up and die didn't even really reach me on an emotional level, although I think a lot of dog or pet owners, myself included, can identify with.
Overall, man, this was a slough for me. The description of the book (you can see it here) is not bad. It is, in fact, a credit to the marketing department of Dundurn Press.
Why do I say that's a credit to the marketing department? Well, to be blunt, for me, this book was not an astounding tale, about a dangerous quest, nor in an eerie world. Jesse did fight illness. The world above and Underground was hostile, I guess, but it felt like it was hostile in the same way that hiking in the true wilderness can be hostile. The hostility of both above and Underground is, as you probably won't be the least bit surprised to see, also is rooted in interactions with humans and human society. Not to minimize the climate changes we're seeing today, but it didn't set off "THIS IS HORRIBLE, HOW COULD PEOPLE SURVIVE?!?" bells. It barely even made sense, based on the description of the changes provided, why people would say "Screw this, I'm going Underground to be safe!" especially when later in the book, Jesse, their sister, and so most likely others, were clearly living above those Underground and while there was serious degredation to lifestyle, it honestly still sounded better than what pioneers faced.
As for the tale and quest, as I said above, they didn't do it for me. The fairy tales were nice and decently written, but as with so much else about this book, they were just there. They didn't seem more than vaugely (if even that) inspired by issues, dangers, or events during Jesse's journey and they didn't seem to add anything to anything.
Can I just say that the denouement of this story really didn't do it for me? I can't get into it too much becase again, dun-dun-duuuun spoilers, but it was just so unrealistic to me, that I am ashamed I almost wrapped this review without mentioning it.
Maybe this is more of a reflection on me than on the book, but I didn't connect with the characters, their world, or the point of this story. At all. I barely even connected with Doggo and trust me, that should be ringing warning bells to you, if you know me. That Doggo became a kind of guiding beacon, a reason to do something besides give up and die didn't even really reach me on an emotional level, although I think a lot of dog or pet owners, myself included, can identify with.
January 27, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales.
Most readers would not be interested in post-apocalyptic books as our country struggles through a global health crisis and infections continue to soar but I'm not that kind of reader.
I'm always up for a post-apocalyptic book whether it involves zombies, climate change, the end of the world or all of the above.
Bring it on!
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Jesse Vanderchuck is one of the remaining survivors of his family.
After climate change has turned the country into a desolate landscape and his mother dies, Jesse decides to leave the safe haven of his underground home in search of his sister, Olivia, who left over a decade ago.
As Jesse searches this new world for his sister, he meets an unlikely friend, a talking dog, and encounters kind people at a time when survival means hurting others, and worse.
To pass the time, Jesse concocts his own version of the fairy tales his father used to read to Olivia when their family was intact and the world hadn't ended.
When the siblings meet, truths are revealed and Jesse and Olivia must decide the next steps in their personal journeys.
If you're looking for suspense and drama and good old fashioned zombie whacking, this isn't it.
This is a thoughtful narrative about facing the truth; the truth of the world and the truth of your family.
The writing is good, introspective and thought-provoking.
Jesse spends most of his journey discussing his past and how much his life has changed since humanity was irrevocably altered by climate change.
His path and perspective on life is constantly shifting by the people he meets, mostly kind and helpful, and the support and care he gets from strangers boosts his spirits, and reminds him such kindness is rare.
I loved Doggo, but I'm biased because I love dogs.
No surprise, then, that Doggo was my favorite character.
He is loyal (as dogs are) and mostly preoccupied with having a full stomach.
But, his companionship is a comfort and solace for Jesse, and he soon realizes that he needs Doggo more than Doggo needs him.
The tone of the narrative is surreal, but not mystical or magical.
Why shouldn't a dog be able to talk during a catastrophic world event?
The world has gone topsy turvy. A talking dog is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
I also enjoyed the fairy tales Jesse told; a few of them were familiar with slight differences.
I began to understand that the tales reflected Jesse's (bleak) optimism and his hope for survival despite his current circumstances.
Happily, the fairy tales always end well, unlike the true endings of these tales.
I'm not going to lie: I was really upset about what happened to Doggo.
Why? I wanted to wail. Whyyy?
When the siblings do finally meet, it's almost anti-climatic, not corny, no gushing or hugging.
There's no time for that when humanity struggles to survive.
Jesse and Olivia spend time together and as a result, come to terms with the unresolved issues that forced their mother to take her children, leave their father behind and seek refuge underground.
The ending is honest, not hopeless, and positive in many ways.
Jesse has survived up to this point, and so has the people he's met, including his sister. And he and they will continue to survive.
This is not a typical dystopian novel, but if you enjoy those books and looking for something a little different to read, give this a try.
I look forward to the author's next book.
Most readers would not be interested in post-apocalyptic books as our country struggles through a global health crisis and infections continue to soar but I'm not that kind of reader.
I'm always up for a post-apocalyptic book whether it involves zombies, climate change, the end of the world or all of the above.
Bring it on!
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Jesse Vanderchuck is one of the remaining survivors of his family.
After climate change has turned the country into a desolate landscape and his mother dies, Jesse decides to leave the safe haven of his underground home in search of his sister, Olivia, who left over a decade ago.
As Jesse searches this new world for his sister, he meets an unlikely friend, a talking dog, and encounters kind people at a time when survival means hurting others, and worse.
To pass the time, Jesse concocts his own version of the fairy tales his father used to read to Olivia when their family was intact and the world hadn't ended.
When the siblings meet, truths are revealed and Jesse and Olivia must decide the next steps in their personal journeys.
If you're looking for suspense and drama and good old fashioned zombie whacking, this isn't it.
This is a thoughtful narrative about facing the truth; the truth of the world and the truth of your family.
The writing is good, introspective and thought-provoking.
Jesse spends most of his journey discussing his past and how much his life has changed since humanity was irrevocably altered by climate change.
His path and perspective on life is constantly shifting by the people he meets, mostly kind and helpful, and the support and care he gets from strangers boosts his spirits, and reminds him such kindness is rare.
I loved Doggo, but I'm biased because I love dogs.
No surprise, then, that Doggo was my favorite character.
He is loyal (as dogs are) and mostly preoccupied with having a full stomach.
But, his companionship is a comfort and solace for Jesse, and he soon realizes that he needs Doggo more than Doggo needs him.
The tone of the narrative is surreal, but not mystical or magical.
Why shouldn't a dog be able to talk during a catastrophic world event?
The world has gone topsy turvy. A talking dog is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
I also enjoyed the fairy tales Jesse told; a few of them were familiar with slight differences.
I began to understand that the tales reflected Jesse's (bleak) optimism and his hope for survival despite his current circumstances.
Happily, the fairy tales always end well, unlike the true endings of these tales.
I'm not going to lie: I was really upset about what happened to Doggo.
Why? I wanted to wail. Whyyy?
When the siblings do finally meet, it's almost anti-climatic, not corny, no gushing or hugging.
There's no time for that when humanity struggles to survive.
Jesse and Olivia spend time together and as a result, come to terms with the unresolved issues that forced their mother to take her children, leave their father behind and seek refuge underground.
The ending is honest, not hopeless, and positive in many ways.
Jesse has survived up to this point, and so has the people he's met, including his sister. And he and they will continue to survive.
This is not a typical dystopian novel, but if you enjoy those books and looking for something a little different to read, give this a try.
I look forward to the author's next book.
August 4, 2024
Interesting take on human survival post fall of civilization/apocalypse. How the mind will do crazy things, making up stories to keep you going, giving animals voices for companionship and more. All while focusing on the human drive to find family and reason to keep going.
September 13, 2023
I enjoyed the book and it was a quick read, however I didn't like the amount of time spent on describing whatever the dogs testicles were doing. Which i think exemplifies a lot of my dislikes within the book.
September 14, 2021
Rounded to 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. I am providing my honest opinion voluntarily.
CONTENT WARNING: death of a parent, gore, death, death of an animal, suici
I was definitely intrigued by the combination of a dangerous quest, a TALKING DOG, and the prospect of fairy tales combined with a dystopian story. However, the premise didn’t quite deliver as promised.
Jesse lives in a post-apocalyptic world caused by climate change. The world has been decimated by extreme weather conditions and new diseases, and this hit home … hard, after the events of the last few years. Within the first few pages, it had me wondering if we’d be living in abandoned subway tunnels in the not-so-distant future.
But that was about as deep as my thoughts went while reading this book. The characters are difficult to connect with, since there isn’t much personality to them. I loved Doggo, who is basically your average dog, given the ability to speak. He just kind of focuses on food and belly rubs. Jesse just kind of goes about his day, doing what is expected of him, and not having any desire for anything else. Until one day, he decides he wants to go find his sister. I’m not sure why he waited an incredibly long time after she booked it (35 years), especially since it was decades since he actually had any ties to anyone or anything in the underground.
Along the journey, there are snippets of these strange fairy tales interspersed with the main story. But I didn’t really understand why — they didn’t seem to have any bearing on the story. Maybe it was signifying that Jesse was slowly losing touch with reality? Along with the presence of a talking dog? I did like the fairy tales themselves, especially since they weren’t the typical and familiar ones that I’ve heard of in the past.
The story was a fast and fairly enjoyable read, but it just didn’t feel as satisfying as I had hoped. There weren’t really great moments of action, there weren’t a lot of plot twists, and there wasn’t a lot of resolution or closure. I found myself unable to put down the book as I got close to the end, hoping to find out for sure what happened … only to discover that I wasn’t going to get that kind of ending. And the only thing that was going to stick with me about this book is an even larger sense of concern about climate change, and a greater sense of dislike of wild rats.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. I am providing my honest opinion voluntarily.
CONTENT WARNING: death of a parent, gore, death, death of an animal, suici
I was definitely intrigued by the combination of a dangerous quest, a TALKING DOG, and the prospect of fairy tales combined with a dystopian story. However, the premise didn’t quite deliver as promised.
Jesse lives in a post-apocalyptic world caused by climate change. The world has been decimated by extreme weather conditions and new diseases, and this hit home … hard, after the events of the last few years. Within the first few pages, it had me wondering if we’d be living in abandoned subway tunnels in the not-so-distant future.
But that was about as deep as my thoughts went while reading this book. The characters are difficult to connect with, since there isn’t much personality to them. I loved Doggo, who is basically your average dog, given the ability to speak. He just kind of focuses on food and belly rubs. Jesse just kind of goes about his day, doing what is expected of him, and not having any desire for anything else. Until one day, he decides he wants to go find his sister. I’m not sure why he waited an incredibly long time after she booked it (35 years), especially since it was decades since he actually had any ties to anyone or anything in the underground.
Along the journey, there are snippets of these strange fairy tales interspersed with the main story. But I didn’t really understand why — they didn’t seem to have any bearing on the story. Maybe it was signifying that Jesse was slowly losing touch with reality? Along with the presence of a talking dog? I did like the fairy tales themselves, especially since they weren’t the typical and familiar ones that I’ve heard of in the past.
The story was a fast and fairly enjoyable read, but it just didn’t feel as satisfying as I had hoped. There weren’t really great moments of action, there weren’t a lot of plot twists, and there wasn’t a lot of resolution or closure. I found myself unable to put down the book as I got close to the end, hoping to find out for sure what happened … only to discover that I wasn’t going to get that kind of ending. And the only thing that was going to stick with me about this book is an even larger sense of concern about climate change, and a greater sense of dislike of wild rats.
December 7, 2020
Brewes’ novel has an exciting premise, with climate change ultimately leading to an increase in disease, severe storms, and food shortages, causing many to migrate underground in Toronto’s subway system. The story follows Jesse Vanderchuck as she looks back at how she got to the underground, her sister running away, and her mother’s death.
Once her mother dies, Jesse decides she needs to leave the underground to find her sister, and while doing so, she comes across Doggo, a talking dog, who tags along with her. Jesse tells Doggo fairy tales to distract her and Doggo from hunger until the dog eventually falls ill and dies on the surface. Jesse’s sister, Olivia, stumbles upon her, and the two are reunited spend a few seasons together before Olivia leaves to search out the family she built in her years on the surface, leaving Jesse to fend for herself.
The novel has a slow start, and I struggled to get into the story, but the fairy tales between the main storyline were entertaining and helped keep me going until it gained more momentum. Towards the end, the chapters were jumbled and sporadic in both length and context, coordinating with Jesse’s decline in health. From the time in the book when Jesse meets Doggo, I wonder if she has fallen delirious ill and is imagining everything from that point onward. There’s are mentions of dreams she has about being in the elevator shaft with other sick people and her body being prepped for production. This reinforces that Jesse never made it to the surface, never meet Doggo, and never reunited with her sister. Also, she never finishes the tale about the lonely king, though she starts it multiple times; this reiterates to me that she’s alone somewhere, rather than with a talking dog or her sister.
Brewes’ novel is interesting though a little chaotic. The fairy tales are a nice touch to break up the main storyline, and being from Canada, I loved that there were mentions of locations I’ve been to and have first-hand knowledge of (who doesn’t love that?). In the end, the book is definitely worth a worth.
If you've enjoyed my review, please visit my blog, Mab's Musing
Once her mother dies, Jesse decides she needs to leave the underground to find her sister, and while doing so, she comes across Doggo, a talking dog, who tags along with her. Jesse tells Doggo fairy tales to distract her and Doggo from hunger until the dog eventually falls ill and dies on the surface. Jesse’s sister, Olivia, stumbles upon her, and the two are reunited spend a few seasons together before Olivia leaves to search out the family she built in her years on the surface, leaving Jesse to fend for herself.
The novel has a slow start, and I struggled to get into the story, but the fairy tales between the main storyline were entertaining and helped keep me going until it gained more momentum. Towards the end, the chapters were jumbled and sporadic in both length and context, coordinating with Jesse’s decline in health. From the time in the book when Jesse meets Doggo, I wonder if she has fallen delirious ill and is imagining everything from that point onward. There’s are mentions of dreams she has about being in the elevator shaft with other sick people and her body being prepped for production. This reinforces that Jesse never made it to the surface, never meet Doggo, and never reunited with her sister. Also, she never finishes the tale about the lonely king, though she starts it multiple times; this reiterates to me that she’s alone somewhere, rather than with a talking dog or her sister.
Brewes’ novel is interesting though a little chaotic. The fairy tales are a nice touch to break up the main storyline, and being from Canada, I loved that there were mentions of locations I’ve been to and have first-hand knowledge of (who doesn’t love that?). In the end, the book is definitely worth a worth.
If you've enjoyed my review, please visit my blog, Mab's Musing
January 1, 2022
The world has fallen into ecological ruin and much of humankind now ekes out a kind of living under the earth. Jesse was a teenager when his mother took him and his sister Underground. Now alone and in his 50s, Jesse decides to abandon his miserable existence and head back to the surface to see what has happened to the planet. Along the way he befriends a talking dog, and spins fairy tales of his own making in order to entertain his new companion - and to maintain his own sanity as their journey becomes increasingly perilous.
This decsription of the book could describe a multitude of stories: an episodic hero’s journey, or a horrific story of desperate survival, or a meta-tale about the power of stories and their ability to bring people together. “The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales” is none of these things. Its plot feels both aimless and accidental; its protagonist is an old man who seems more obsessed with recapturing in his past memories than living in the present; his fairy tales seem at best tangentially related to anything happening in the story.
Yet by the end of the book I felt as if I had been told a complete story that left me emotionally devastated and bereft. Despite its speculative setting and fantastical elements, “The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales” is really the inner story of a man coming to terms with the fading away of his life and all that he has known. He rationalizes it in multiple ways: through his fool’s quest; through the fairy tales that reflect his variable hopes and despairs. And in the end? It all makes a quiet sort of sense; or as much sense as one person’s life can ever make.
This decsription of the book could describe a multitude of stories: an episodic hero’s journey, or a horrific story of desperate survival, or a meta-tale about the power of stories and their ability to bring people together. “The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales” is none of these things. Its plot feels both aimless and accidental; its protagonist is an old man who seems more obsessed with recapturing in his past memories than living in the present; his fairy tales seem at best tangentially related to anything happening in the story.
Yet by the end of the book I felt as if I had been told a complete story that left me emotionally devastated and bereft. Despite its speculative setting and fantastical elements, “The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales” is really the inner story of a man coming to terms with the fading away of his life and all that he has known. He rationalizes it in multiple ways: through his fool’s quest; through the fairy tales that reflect his variable hopes and despairs. And in the end? It all makes a quiet sort of sense; or as much sense as one person’s life can ever make.
December 17, 2020
Publication set for June 2021
The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is a surprising dystopian story that got into my head. Jesse searches for his runaway sister, 35 years after the fact, from The Underground where his mother fled with them after global disasters heralded an end of times scenario in the works. Olivia never forgave their mother for spiriting them away from the sky and their dad.
The memories of his younger life clash with the reality that he is a sick old man, barely capable of scrounging enough food to survive one more day by scavenging heaps of trash for things he can barter. He's something like 50, sick with a racking cough, and emaciated. But, he comes across a talking dog and a will to search and live wells up in him, and so he finally undertakes the search for his sister.
Interspersed with memories blended into fairy tales, Jesse and Doggo trudge across The Underground and find the entirety of it almost as miserable as Jesse's life has been. Their journey is perilous and strenuous, and Jesse forges each step with these tales to keep them going. Inside the fairy tales are lessons and memories that also tell a tale.
3.5
Would recommend for fans of character centered dystopians and fairytales. The tales in it are quite good.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early e-copy.
The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is a surprising dystopian story that got into my head. Jesse searches for his runaway sister, 35 years after the fact, from The Underground where his mother fled with them after global disasters heralded an end of times scenario in the works. Olivia never forgave their mother for spiriting them away from the sky and their dad.
The memories of his younger life clash with the reality that he is a sick old man, barely capable of scrounging enough food to survive one more day by scavenging heaps of trash for things he can barter. He's something like 50, sick with a racking cough, and emaciated. But, he comes across a talking dog and a will to search and live wells up in him, and so he finally undertakes the search for his sister.
Interspersed with memories blended into fairy tales, Jesse and Doggo trudge across The Underground and find the entirety of it almost as miserable as Jesse's life has been. Their journey is perilous and strenuous, and Jesse forges each step with these tales to keep them going. Inside the fairy tales are lessons and memories that also tell a tale.
3.5
Would recommend for fans of character centered dystopians and fairytales. The tales in it are quite good.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early e-copy.
April 29, 2021
Emily Brewes attempts to weave a surreal picture of a distinctly different post-apocalyptic world in The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales.
Jesse Vanderchuck has survived through the apocalypse of climate change and now lives in the underground tunnel homestead, like so many humans who tried to hide from the inclement weather changes. It's been a sad existence, where he (or she, this remains unclear) and his sister, Olivia, and mother have eeked out a poor semblance of a life.
Progressing through a world that is changed but not uninhabitable, he begins telling tales influenced by his past to pass the time. These brief segues from the arc are pleasant and far more fascinating than the time with Jesse and Doggo. There doesn't appear to be much of an overall arc, nor a hero's journey to follow.
There is a lack of doom in that those living in the Underground comes across as equivalent to people currently living in slums. Those living above ground might have a bit more to toil with, but this too harkens back to the pioneers' hardy lifestyle. Jesse's sickness and possibly impending death mean little to the reader. Jesse, as a character, holds no weight.
With no one to root for and a lack of worldly doom and distress, The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is a poor vehicle for what otherwise would be a wonderful collection of modern fairy tales.
Jesse Vanderchuck has survived through the apocalypse of climate change and now lives in the underground tunnel homestead, like so many humans who tried to hide from the inclement weather changes. It's been a sad existence, where he (or she, this remains unclear) and his sister, Olivia, and mother have eeked out a poor semblance of a life.
Progressing through a world that is changed but not uninhabitable, he begins telling tales influenced by his past to pass the time. These brief segues from the arc are pleasant and far more fascinating than the time with Jesse and Doggo. There doesn't appear to be much of an overall arc, nor a hero's journey to follow.
There is a lack of doom in that those living in the Underground comes across as equivalent to people currently living in slums. Those living above ground might have a bit more to toil with, but this too harkens back to the pioneers' hardy lifestyle. Jesse's sickness and possibly impending death mean little to the reader. Jesse, as a character, holds no weight.
With no one to root for and a lack of worldly doom and distress, The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is a poor vehicle for what otherwise would be a wonderful collection of modern fairy tales.
May 12, 2022
2.5 stars.
This book started out very interesting but then went downhill after about the first third of the book. There were not nearly enough descriptions and everything felt like it just jumped from one thing to one thing like in a dream. The characterizations were not good at all either. The main character is supposed to be a 40+ year old man but he reads like a teenager. And the fairy tales dispersed in between the main story did not fit into the plot at all. There were only a couple I liked. All in all it was okay and had the potential to be great.
This book started out very interesting but then went downhill after about the first third of the book. There were not nearly enough descriptions and everything felt like it just jumped from one thing to one thing like in a dream. The characterizations were not good at all either. The main character is supposed to be a 40+ year old man but he reads like a teenager. And the fairy tales dispersed in between the main story did not fit into the plot at all. There were only a couple I liked. All in all it was okay and had the potential to be great.
March 30, 2021
I received an early e-book copy of this through Netgalley for my honest opinion.
The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is another book where the cover was the first thing that caught my eye, and the synopsis pulled me. I was interested to see how the fairy tales were going to weave into the stories, and what this new world was going to look like. Mostly because not a lot of information was given in the synopsis, and I don't mind going into books blind. It adds to the excitement at the start of any book.
This was a weird one, and not just because in order to outrun the destruction of Earth people basically turned into mole people. It was weird because I never really got a sense of this who Jesse was, or if he really actually felt anything. When we first meet Jesse I assumed they were a teenager, but then you found out the character in his thirties. Okay, but then he'll say things, or act, like he's still just a kid despite the fact living in this Underground, and losing his mother, aged him. Then there's the lack of any real emotion when he finds Doggo, a talking dog. I mean, it's a talking dog. A talking dog?!
Then as Jesse and Doggo start their adventure on the topside we start to get a look at the Underground and the way people are living. This is where it got kind of cool seeing how people have adapted, and seems ways regressed back to old traditions, like a barber as a doctor. I really liked the fact they'd found a way to break down the human body into the mushroom patches to help feed those still alive. But, this is where more confusion hits because apparently there are trolls, or ogres, or some sort of creatures also leaving in the Underground.
What?! Full stop now I have questions, but there are no answers.
However, I did like the fairy tale part of this book. They are woven in very cleverly as a way to pass the time as Jesse and Doggo are walking.
I think the thing that annoyed me the most about this book is how it just sort of ends. Jesse goes on this weird adventure with no food or water, hearing the voices, and probably having seizures. They just walk toward the mountains and they have a moment and the book is just over. Meanwhile, I'm just sitting here like so what was the point of this entire journey.
So why three stars? Because despite the fact I'm not even a little sure what I read, the fairy tales were masterfully written, and there were some really amazing parts of this book. But, I'm just not really sure if what I read was the story of a man dying in a mushroom patch or the last adventure of a dying man. I honestly am not for sure. It is wonderfully written, and the fairy tales were my favorite part of this story. I also felt like this story had more potential if the book had been longer just under three hundred pages.
The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales is another book where the cover was the first thing that caught my eye, and the synopsis pulled me. I was interested to see how the fairy tales were going to weave into the stories, and what this new world was going to look like. Mostly because not a lot of information was given in the synopsis, and I don't mind going into books blind. It adds to the excitement at the start of any book.
This was a weird one, and not just because in order to outrun the destruction of Earth people basically turned into mole people. It was weird because I never really got a sense of this who Jesse was, or if he really actually felt anything. When we first meet Jesse I assumed they were a teenager, but then you found out the character in his thirties. Okay, but then he'll say things, or act, like he's still just a kid despite the fact living in this Underground, and losing his mother, aged him. Then there's the lack of any real emotion when he finds Doggo, a talking dog. I mean, it's a talking dog. A talking dog?!
Then as Jesse and Doggo start their adventure on the topside we start to get a look at the Underground and the way people are living. This is where it got kind of cool seeing how people have adapted, and seems ways regressed back to old traditions, like a barber as a doctor. I really liked the fact they'd found a way to break down the human body into the mushroom patches to help feed those still alive. But, this is where more confusion hits because apparently there are trolls, or ogres, or some sort of creatures also leaving in the Underground.
What?! Full stop now I have questions, but there are no answers.
However, I did like the fairy tale part of this book. They are woven in very cleverly as a way to pass the time as Jesse and Doggo are walking.
I think the thing that annoyed me the most about this book is how it just sort of ends. Jesse goes on this weird adventure with no food or water, hearing the voices, and probably having seizures. They just walk toward the mountains and they have a moment and the book is just over. Meanwhile, I'm just sitting here like so what was the point of this entire journey.
So why three stars? Because despite the fact I'm not even a little sure what I read, the fairy tales were masterfully written, and there were some really amazing parts of this book. But, I'm just not really sure if what I read was the story of a man dying in a mushroom patch or the last adventure of a dying man. I honestly am not for sure. It is wonderfully written, and the fairy tales were my favorite part of this story. I also felt like this story had more potential if the book had been longer just under three hundred pages.
January 21, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for giving me an eARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This, unfortunately, was not for me. Which is a shame because the post-apocalyptic world and the fairytales made it sound exactly like it would be.
First of all, I would say this needs a content warning. I read the first half of the book in like a day, curious about where the author was going with it. I enjoyed the presence of the talking dog even if for some reason the author tried their hardest to make him as disgusting as possible (I mean, seriously). But then the thing happened (and I'm putting the content warning here ) and it took me two weeks to force myself to pick it up again.
But if that was my only issue with this story I would have forgiven it. My real problem was that nothing really seemed to lead to anything. The fairytales lacked any real substance and I thought at least they would be relevant to what was happening in some way, especially because there was a hint early on where the doctor seemed to resemble a character from the stories, but nothing came of it. Unless there was some hidden meaning that went right over my head for some reason, they were just there for Jesse to pass the time.
And the ending
Honestly, there were so many interesting threads that were put in place that could have made for such a great story. I equally loved and was horrified by some of the things people did post-apoc to survive and I commend the creativity. It was why I was initially taken by this story. Unfortunately, the book as a whole was not a satisfying experience for me.
This, unfortunately, was not for me. Which is a shame because the post-apocalyptic world and the fairytales made it sound exactly like it would be.
First of all, I would say this needs a content warning. I read the first half of the book in like a day, curious about where the author was going with it. I enjoyed the presence of the talking dog even if for some reason the author tried their hardest to make him as disgusting as possible (I mean, seriously). But then the thing happened (and I'm putting the content warning here ) and it took me two weeks to force myself to pick it up again.
But if that was my only issue with this story I would have forgiven it. My real problem was that nothing really seemed to lead to anything. The fairytales lacked any real substance and I thought at least they would be relevant to what was happening in some way, especially because there was a hint early on where the doctor seemed to resemble a character from the stories, but nothing came of it. Unless there was some hidden meaning that went right over my head for some reason, they were just there for Jesse to pass the time.
And the ending
Honestly, there were so many interesting threads that were put in place that could have made for such a great story. I equally loved and was horrified by some of the things people did post-apoc to survive and I commend the creativity. It was why I was initially taken by this story. Unfortunately, the book as a whole was not a satisfying experience for me.
Read
April 26, 2022Post-apocalyptic tales have been around for some time, and always provide great reading. Considering as of this writing, what is happening in the Ukraine, one wonders if fiction will ever become a chilling fact in our lifetime.
THE DOOMSDAY BOOK OF FAIRY TALES, looks at a world that was ravaged by a topic definitely fact. Climate change has done irreparable damage, and the world is basically in tattered shambles, making it as close to uninhabitable as possible. People were desperate to survive and would do anything to help them make it from day to day.
Many years ago, Jesse Vanderchuck and his family had to move to the Underground for survival. That was the only way to escape the chaos and despair that ruled civilization at that moment. But now several decades have passed, and Jesse decides it is to time resurface. But there is another reason to come up to what is left of the world. That is to search for his dear sister Olivia, who left the Underground when she was not even a teenager. She was mad at her mother for not bringing their father with them, and headed back likely to seek him out.
Now Jesse wonders what fate may have befallen her, and whether it might be possible to reconnect with Olivia. He takes along a dog named Doggo, for not only companionship, but also for conversation. Yes conversation, because Doggo is a talking dog, the two getting into intense debates and talks. Jesse has the notion that Olivia would likely return to their childhood home, but would she still be there all those years later?
To help pass the time and possibly to save his sanity, Jesse begins relating a series of rather unusual fairy tales to Doggo, strange takes on what he considers classic tales. They mesh with the absurdity of the world around them. It makes for a fascinating story and the main concern is where is Olivia? How has the past changed her and her relationship to her brother?
Absurd at times, but still fascinating, the reader is rewarded with a tale of hope and never relinquishing one’s dreams for life and family.
THE DOOMSDAY BOOK OF FAIRY TALES, looks at a world that was ravaged by a topic definitely fact. Climate change has done irreparable damage, and the world is basically in tattered shambles, making it as close to uninhabitable as possible. People were desperate to survive and would do anything to help them make it from day to day.
Many years ago, Jesse Vanderchuck and his family had to move to the Underground for survival. That was the only way to escape the chaos and despair that ruled civilization at that moment. But now several decades have passed, and Jesse decides it is to time resurface. But there is another reason to come up to what is left of the world. That is to search for his dear sister Olivia, who left the Underground when she was not even a teenager. She was mad at her mother for not bringing their father with them, and headed back likely to seek him out.
Now Jesse wonders what fate may have befallen her, and whether it might be possible to reconnect with Olivia. He takes along a dog named Doggo, for not only companionship, but also for conversation. Yes conversation, because Doggo is a talking dog, the two getting into intense debates and talks. Jesse has the notion that Olivia would likely return to their childhood home, but would she still be there all those years later?
To help pass the time and possibly to save his sanity, Jesse begins relating a series of rather unusual fairy tales to Doggo, strange takes on what he considers classic tales. They mesh with the absurdity of the world around them. It makes for a fascinating story and the main concern is where is Olivia? How has the past changed her and her relationship to her brother?
Absurd at times, but still fascinating, the reader is rewarded with a tale of hope and never relinquishing one’s dreams for life and family.
November 29, 2020
I don't quite know what to make of this book. First of all, I consider it amazing that Emily Brewes managed to actually write this book during NaNoWriMo, even if it took her two years to do so.
The cover is beautiful. It reminds me of some older books I have and I do love ornamented covers - they make the book look much more serious. Given the title, this was not exactly what I expected. I was - solely based on the title - expecting actual doomsday fairytales.
There are fairytales in the book and honestly, those were my favourite parts. I needed a bit to warm up with the book - about until Doggo showed up - but it turned out to be an okay read. The fairy tales really freshened up the story and kept it interesting.
There is, however, a major turning point in the book which almost made me not finishing this book. The last chapter, however was almost enjoyable again - I think it gave the book a strong, nice finish.
Since the book wasn't really pulling me in and I am not screaming: Masterpiece!, I am giving this book a solid 2.5 stars. It was a medicore read for me at best, but while I really enjoyed Doggo and the fairy tales, the rest of the book didn't hold up for me.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The cover is beautiful. It reminds me of some older books I have and I do love ornamented covers - they make the book look much more serious. Given the title, this was not exactly what I expected. I was - solely based on the title - expecting actual doomsday fairytales.
There are fairytales in the book and honestly, those were my favourite parts. I needed a bit to warm up with the book - about until Doggo showed up - but it turned out to be an okay read. The fairy tales really freshened up the story and kept it interesting.
There is, however, a major turning point in the book which almost made me not finishing this book. The last chapter, however was almost enjoyable again - I think it gave the book a strong, nice finish.
Since the book wasn't really pulling me in and I am not screaming: Masterpiece!, I am giving this book a solid 2.5 stars. It was a medicore read for me at best, but while I really enjoyed Doggo and the fairy tales, the rest of the book didn't hold up for me.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2021
A very realistic and human account of society collapsing and moving underground following a climate apocalypse. Interspersed with nostalgia-inducing fairy tales that fit the novel so well.
Jesse Vanderchuck, his sister, and his mother have fled their farm in the rural areas outside of Toronto for a make-shift society in the Toronto underground. I was entirely wrapt until around 60% when you kind of get to the point where you're like, ok, we get it, it's the end of days - now what Jesse? But at the same time, Jesse is such a storyteller that I can't fully believe that he actually made it out of the underground and that the back 1/2 of the novel isn't just another one of Jesse's stories. That is something to be decided by each reader I imagine.
The fairy tales interspersed throughout are ones unique to the story and are perfectly timed. It's like - life is shit, hungry, sick, lonely - here's a nice fairy tale.
I don't think the average rating for this novel properly reflects within. This is a damn good post-apocalyptic book. I have to say for myself though - if I make it through the first wave, if something like this was to happen - I would definitely not move to an underground.
I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley
Jesse Vanderchuck, his sister, and his mother have fled their farm in the rural areas outside of Toronto for a make-shift society in the Toronto underground. I was entirely wrapt until around 60% when you kind of get to the point where you're like, ok, we get it, it's the end of days - now what Jesse? But at the same time, Jesse is such a storyteller that I can't fully believe that he actually made it out of the underground and that the back 1/2 of the novel isn't just another one of Jesse's stories. That is something to be decided by each reader I imagine.
The fairy tales interspersed throughout are ones unique to the story and are perfectly timed. It's like - life is shit, hungry, sick, lonely - here's a nice fairy tale.
I don't think the average rating for this novel properly reflects within. This is a damn good post-apocalyptic book. I have to say for myself though - if I make it through the first wave, if something like this was to happen - I would definitely not move to an underground.
I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley
Did not finish
May 27, 2021Imaginative and well-written but not for me. The story's a bit too bleak and the writing a bit too lyrical / metaphoric. The character of Doggo is great, and I'm glad that the main character, Jesse, is willing to protect Doggo with his life. Their relationship and conversations reminded me a bit of Todd and Manchee from Patrick Ness's Knife of Never Letting Go, to the point that I had to keep reminding myself that Jesse is actually an adult in his 40s instead of a teen (preteen?) like Todd was. (Jesse sounded kinda young for 40 to me, especially with the older couple who gives him shoes and seems to want to adopt him. I'm not sure if that's because I kept associating him and Doggo with Todd and Manchee, or if that's part of his character?)
The fairy tale stories I read were good, and I'm sure they have metaphoric meaning for the larger story, but I found myself skimming after a while, which is about when I figured this wasn't my kind of book, and tapped out.
I can imagine other readers loving this, but I got bored. I flipped to the end to see if I may like it better, but it only seemed to get even bleaker as it went. DNF at page 112.
+
Thanks to Dundurn Press for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
The fairy tale stories I read were good, and I'm sure they have metaphoric meaning for the larger story, but I found myself skimming after a while, which is about when I figured this wasn't my kind of book, and tapped out.
I can imagine other readers loving this, but I got bored. I flipped to the end to see if I may like it better, but it only seemed to get even bleaker as it went. DNF at page 112.
+
Thanks to Dundurn Press for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2021
I feel bad, but I really didn't like this book. It started well enough - I enjoyed the setting, and thought it was an interesting concept, but it just didn't really go anywhere. The protagonist, Jesse, I think is in his 40s, but he has the emotional development of a sheltered teen. He somehow adopts a pet dog which leads to him leaving the underground world that he lives in to go find his sister.
I didn't care for the character, I thought that everything that happened after he left the underground was very under-developed. The story just went on and on without going anywhere. During his travels, he tells fairy tales that sound like ones you might read, but lack the internal logic of a good fairy tale. The book got worse as it went along. I started by debating whether it was a 2 or a 3 star, then found myself thinking "is it really a 1 that I'm trying to turn into a 2 because it's Canadian and set in my hometown?" And as I found myself going through the last few chapters, found myself thinking "my God, will this never end?"
An interesting idea. Lacklustre execution.
I didn't care for the character, I thought that everything that happened after he left the underground was very under-developed. The story just went on and on without going anywhere. During his travels, he tells fairy tales that sound like ones you might read, but lack the internal logic of a good fairy tale. The book got worse as it went along. I started by debating whether it was a 2 or a 3 star, then found myself thinking "is it really a 1 that I'm trying to turn into a 2 because it's Canadian and set in my hometown?" And as I found myself going through the last few chapters, found myself thinking "my God, will this never end?"
An interesting idea. Lacklustre execution.
January 13, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Dundurn Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have read a lot of post apocalyptic fiction and The Doomsday Book of Fairytales certainly earns its place as a superb work of the genre.
It opens with Jesse Vanderchuck along with his mother and sister, Olivia, venturing to live Underground with a community if survivors escaping the pending downfall of humanity due to climate change. Years later, Jesse and his dog, Doggo, leave the community in search of his sister who had left some time earlier. Along the way, Jesse regales his dog with made of fairytales that loosely weave memories of his own life.
Brewes’ writing is both engaging and quick witted. This book was an absolute joy to read and a nice change from typical apocalyptic novels. Highly recommended for both fans of fairytales and apocalyptic/climate fiction alike.
I have read a lot of post apocalyptic fiction and The Doomsday Book of Fairytales certainly earns its place as a superb work of the genre.
It opens with Jesse Vanderchuck along with his mother and sister, Olivia, venturing to live Underground with a community if survivors escaping the pending downfall of humanity due to climate change. Years later, Jesse and his dog, Doggo, leave the community in search of his sister who had left some time earlier. Along the way, Jesse regales his dog with made of fairytales that loosely weave memories of his own life.
Brewes’ writing is both engaging and quick witted. This book was an absolute joy to read and a nice change from typical apocalyptic novels. Highly recommended for both fans of fairytales and apocalyptic/climate fiction alike.
August 28, 2023
This seems to be Emily's first book and was recommended by the YouTuber ThoughtSlime. This book could have used perhaps another 200 pages to really flesh out the world especially with what's revealed later on. I also think the writer immediately dated the book by calling the dog, "Doggo". It might have been funny when writing at that time but it's something that made me wince reading it years later.
I think the author could have done a better job with the fairy tales themselves. They seemed to have the same format and none of them seemed to have anything to do with the plot or the setting which ultimately make them feel like either an afterthought or the initial idea with a world built to flesh everything out.
Ultimately, I think Emily had a great concept and a decent skeleton. It could use more body and maybe new fairy tales to reflect the setting.
I think the author could have done a better job with the fairy tales themselves. They seemed to have the same format and none of them seemed to have anything to do with the plot or the setting which ultimately make them feel like either an afterthought or the initial idea with a world built to flesh everything out.
Ultimately, I think Emily had a great concept and a decent skeleton. It could use more body and maybe new fairy tales to reflect the setting.
February 14, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales.
A story set in a post-apocalyptic world based on climate change you say and added Fairy Tales, while I am self-isolating due to a global pandemic... sign me up!
I think the book was great. I have to admit that I enjoyed the added Fairy Tales more than the bigger story about the protagonist, Jesse Vanderchuck. To be honest I didn’t like that fact that she was “telling” the fairy tales, coming from her for some reason I just couldn’t get it to fit. I also wasn’t the biggest fan of doggo, he was just so unnecessarily gross.
Overall, I did enjoy reading the book and I can safely say that this has been the most unique book I’ve read all year. I am looking forward to reading more from the author.
* 3.7
A story set in a post-apocalyptic world based on climate change you say and added Fairy Tales, while I am self-isolating due to a global pandemic... sign me up!
I think the book was great. I have to admit that I enjoyed the added Fairy Tales more than the bigger story about the protagonist, Jesse Vanderchuck. To be honest I didn’t like that fact that she was “telling” the fairy tales, coming from her for some reason I just couldn’t get it to fit. I also wasn’t the biggest fan of doggo, he was just so unnecessarily gross.
Overall, I did enjoy reading the book and I can safely say that this has been the most unique book I’ve read all year. I am looking forward to reading more from the author.
* 3.7
May 4, 2021
Not sure what I expected but this book is very gloomy and dark. Earth as we know it is gone and the people who survive are dying from lack of food and loneliness
Jesse meets a talking dog. Fighting illness and the hostile world above ground, Jesse and Doggo embark on a fool’s errand to find Olivia — or die trying. Along the way, Jesse spins a series of fairy tales from threads of memories, weaving together the past, present, and future into stories of brave girls, of cunning lads, of love in the face of wickedness, and of hope in the midst of despair.. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Jesse meets a talking dog. Fighting illness and the hostile world above ground, Jesse and Doggo embark on a fool’s errand to find Olivia — or die trying. Along the way, Jesse spins a series of fairy tales from threads of memories, weaving together the past, present, and future into stories of brave girls, of cunning lads, of love in the face of wickedness, and of hope in the midst of despair.. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 25, 2020
The story is set on a post apocalyptic world with climate change.
We follow Jesse and his family who gets separated by the circumstances and forced to live in the underground with his mother and sisters. But things goes from bad to worse and her mother gets ill, her sister Olivia left and life underground is barely tolerable.
One day he finds a dog and a new adventure begins....
I find the story very touching and beautiful. The relationship between Jesse and Doggo is endearing and even if I am not satisfied with the end, I really like the book in general.
We follow Jesse and his family who gets separated by the circumstances and forced to live in the underground with his mother and sisters. But things goes from bad to worse and her mother gets ill, her sister Olivia left and life underground is barely tolerable.
One day he finds a dog and a new adventure begins....
I find the story very touching and beautiful. The relationship between Jesse and Doggo is endearing and even if I am not satisfied with the end, I really like the book in general.
January 21, 2021
I got a copy of 'The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales Emily Brewes' from Netgalley in return of an honest opinion, and this is what I think about the book.
.
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The story is set in a world post the climate collapse. It is the story of a Jesse Vanderchuck who fled the growing climate disaster to live out her remaining days in the Underground with her mother and sister, Olivia. They survived by picking through trash heaps in Toronto’s abandoned subway tunnels, living but barely.
.
.
Olivia, never being onboard with leaving their father behind, runs away leaving Jesse with her mother. But after the death of her mother and spending decades in the Underground, Jesse decides to leave. The lonely existence gets to her, and she decides to find out what happened to her sister out in the world which had collapsed. It is then that she meets a talking dog who becomes her only companion.
.
.
They set out on a journey out of the Underground while along the way, Jesse spins a series of fairy tales from memory to pass the time and to ignore the gnawing hunger. Will she find Olivia, and what will she find when she leaves the Underground?
.
.
What I liked about the tale was the setting and the way the author wove it around a few characters. You could feel the loneliness of Jesse. You got invested in her adventure and fairy tales. It was a different kind of a read, one that I found quite intriguing. It was also strange reading it during a pandemic.
.
.
There was an uncanny feeling at the back of my mind while reading this, which kept making me feel that this could happen to us. Yes, even though the story was set in a dystopian future, somehow it felt very believable and real.
.
.
It was good with an exciting premise. Check it out if you feel it's something you would like.
.
.
The story is set in a world post the climate collapse. It is the story of a Jesse Vanderchuck who fled the growing climate disaster to live out her remaining days in the Underground with her mother and sister, Olivia. They survived by picking through trash heaps in Toronto’s abandoned subway tunnels, living but barely.
.
.
Olivia, never being onboard with leaving their father behind, runs away leaving Jesse with her mother. But after the death of her mother and spending decades in the Underground, Jesse decides to leave. The lonely existence gets to her, and she decides to find out what happened to her sister out in the world which had collapsed. It is then that she meets a talking dog who becomes her only companion.
.
.
They set out on a journey out of the Underground while along the way, Jesse spins a series of fairy tales from memory to pass the time and to ignore the gnawing hunger. Will she find Olivia, and what will she find when she leaves the Underground?
.
.
What I liked about the tale was the setting and the way the author wove it around a few characters. You could feel the loneliness of Jesse. You got invested in her adventure and fairy tales. It was a different kind of a read, one that I found quite intriguing. It was also strange reading it during a pandemic.
.
.
There was an uncanny feeling at the back of my mind while reading this, which kept making me feel that this could happen to us. Yes, even though the story was set in a dystopian future, somehow it felt very believable and real.
.
.
It was good with an exciting premise. Check it out if you feel it's something you would like.
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