Summary
During a fictional World War III in the 21st century, our main character, Elizabeth (who goes by Daisy), is sent by her father to live with her distant relatives in the UK. Here, she meets her aunt and her cousins, one of whom she later develops feelings for, Edmond. At first, Daisy is homesick, but the feeling subsides the more time she spends getting to know her family members. Daisy’s aunt travels to Oslo and she is stuck there after the war breaks out. Daisy and her cousins must fend for themselves as they learn to survive and lean on each other for support.
Review
If you’re looking for a quick recommendation, yes, I would definitely recommend this book!
I first read this in high school and really enjoyed it! The book is a short one and easy to get through quickly. And the story is one not easily forgotten. The characters are the most memorable part of the book, as I felt isolated right along with them during the outbreak of war. Yes, Daisy’s romance with her cousin is a bit weird at first because you know they’re cousins, but it doesn’t stay weird throughout the book.
I especially love this story because it doesn’t focus on the war, but on everyday people and how the war affects them. You get to see the distant aftershocks of the outbreak of war, as it ripples out of the cities and into the more rural areas. The effects from the war are not only filtered through distance, but age as well. Because the main characters are teenagers and children. Making it more difficult to understand what the war is about and why it’s happening. But I don’t think that’s what the author wants to focus on. But rather, how the characters use each for support and how they focus on survival more than the war.
This book was later made into a movie a few years ago. And I remember liking it when I watched it. I think it would be a great reward to watch it after you finish the book. Overall, I would recommend this book to a busy mom. It’s a quick, easy read that’s sure to provide insight into the effects of war, how some things don’t change even during the darkest of times, and how we can still find hope after terrible times.
Rating
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If you enjoyed my review of How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff, you might also like The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. Check out my review!
If you’re interested in purchasing How I Live Now, here are some quick links to buy the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And, if you’re interested to see what others think, here’s the link to the book on Goodreads.
