The Children of Men

Our book club was examining "The History of the Future." I chose a fascinating story by a mystery writer, P.D. James, a well-known Englishwoman. Phyllis Dorothy James was born in 1920, and died just two months ago. She became famous for her crime fiction, many featuring the suave, intelligent police officer Adam Dalgleish. Children of Men begins in England on January 1, 2021. Dr. Theodore (Theo) Faron, an Oxford don, writes in his diary that the last human to be born on earth has been killed in a pub brawl. In 1994, the sperm counts in human males dropped to zero all over the world. The last people to be born were the “Omega” generation, born in 1995. They are described as spoiled, over-entitled, remote and unstable. They are known to show undisguised contempt for their elders. Since everyone knows that eventually, humans will all die off, there are discussions about what to do with our beautiful creations on earth, our universities, libraries, museums and churches. While no more humans are being born, animals continue to be born, and it turns out that many, mostly women, have turned their attention of bringing up their animals—cats and dogs—like children, dressing them in clothes, pushing them around in prams. They hold elaborate christening ceremonies for newborn pets. Women also dote upon dolls the same way. Many spend thousands on beautiful dolls, and likewise push them around in prams, etc. There are no children’s playgrounds—the government demolished all of them several years ago. There are no toys, and schools have been turned into storerooms, or just abandoned. Since there are no births, the population is gradually dropping, worldwide. England is ruled by a Warden, named Xan Lyppiatt, a sort of benign dictator. He and Theo grew up together, he from a noble family, and Theo from a less privileged part of the same family. They spent summers together in the English countryside. Xan and his council of five are preparing the country for the eventual extinction of all citizens. They have established the Isle of Man as a prison colony, and citizens found guilty of a crime are sent there. They don’t come back, and they don’t escape. Parliament acts in an advisory capacity; judges rule in criminal cases without any jury. And of course, there is a secret police organization. As people grow old and need more care than is available, they have the opportunity to engage in “Quietus”, wherein older people may “voluntarily” elect to go aboard a special vessel that goes out a distance from shore and sinks, with all chained to the deck. Some, it is reported, didn’t actually choose to do this. Theo is approached by a nice young woman named Julian. It turns out she is one of a group of dissidents called The Five Fishes. They are determined to upset Xan’s tidy world, by fighting to release the prisoners on the Isle of Man, end the Quietus voyages, and return England to democracy. The other “Fishes” are Rolf, Julian’s husband, Luke, a former priest, Miriam a midwife who for 25 years has had no babies to deliver; and Gascoigne, who is quite clever with explosives. The Fishes want Theo to approach Xan and ask for various reforms and a more democratic system. He travels to meet with Xan and his council. That meeting does not go well. Theo goes on a long trip for several months in Europe. When he returns, Julian contacts him. Gascoigne has been arrested as he tried to blow up the landing for a Quietus ship, and the Secret Police will soon be looking for the other four Fishes. Julian discloses that she is pregnant. In a world where no one has been pregnant for 25 years, this is a big deal. Theo joins the group, and they all take off in the car of a professor friend of Theo’s, heading for Wales, and some place where they can hole up until the baby is born. That is the part in this tale which is full of adventure and intrigue. As they drive through the English countryside they encounter a gang of wild Omegas, all with wild face-painting, dancing around their car. They force the Fishes out, beat them, killing Luke, then burn their car. The climax in the tale comes when the Fishes find a place to stop, just in time, because Julian is about to deliver. She delivers a fine baby boy. By this time, Julian is the last of the five Fishes—the others have been killed. Xan arrives on the scene with the secret police. Xan hates to do it, but aims and shoots at his cousin. He misses. Theo, who has been carrying a pistol with one bullet since this escape began, shoots, and kills Xan. Theo takes Xan’s huge coronation ring and puts it on his own finger, and takes over England. Just like that. What was P.D. James trying to say in this story? Is she suggesting that modern society, in its effort to reduce “unwanted pregnancies” has over-corrected and created mass sterilization? What about the ladies with the dogs and cats and dolls in prams? What about the wild young Omegas? James’ Children of Men reminds me of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, published 60 years earlier, in 1932. And also George Orwell’s Animal Farm (1945) and 1984 (1949). Huxley foretold of state control of reproduction and in vitro fertilization techniques, designer babies and a marvelous plan to create a whole population of compliant, willing servants of the state. Orwell in his two books warned us about Communism and Stalin at a time (at the end of World War II) when increasing numbers in England and America were becoming intrigued by the idea of communism. I read both books when I was a teen ager, and it helped me to look at the USSR with more critical eyes. I later got to spend two years in the USSR and confirm for myself that Orwell had it right. These writers are trying to tell us something, and it may be worth it to pay attention.

P.D. James crafted an incredibly enthralling and essential novel. The Children of Men comments on how hope is the only thing that matters. The story's world is a horrible place to live. It is dark and desolate, countries across the globe have fallen. In this modern dystopia women have become infertile and mankind is rapidly approaching extinction. The novel explores the true nature of man when there is no future. Life becomes trivial if there is nobody to pass your achievements down to. When people have nothing to lose savagery ensues. As mentioned earlier hope (or the lack thereof at points) is a recurring motif throughout the piece. This motif is often expressed through children. In dystopian London the youngest person alive is 26 years old. This 26 year old is hailed as a messiah of sorts in the society and the last successful childbirth. After Julian gives birth her child becomes a beacon of hope for all who are around it. A society certain that they would be the last generation to walk the earth is finally given a reason to live. Without children the world becomes silent and depressing, each passing day represents humanity taking one collective step closer towards extinction. I believe that The Children of Men is an incredibly underrated novel, one which everyone should read. Not only is the book engaging but James shows off what a technically sound writer she is. The pacing of the novel was something that I thought was incredible. The story is always on the 'upswing' with every passing chapter (aside from a few here and there). Most chapters build off of each other becoming more interesting. James is also able to craft a few great characters in this story. Theodore Faron is one of the realest characters I have encountered since Holden Caulfield from 'The Catcher in The Rye.' Theodore Faron is far from a perfect character, the occasional inconsistency or hole in his development is what makes him seem truly real. People do not act consistently, humans are fickle. Theo is also a fairly crappy person. In the same breath Faron mentioned how horrible he felt about running over his infant daughter and how he did not love said daughter as much as himself. P.D. James' commentaries on mankind in The Children of Men are something that needs to be recognized once again in our society. Mankind are still animals deep down and our ultimate goal as a people should always be securing the future. In this day and age we have become increasingly distracted from this primitive goal. War, politics, etc. have taken off of our original track. Overall, I believe that P.D. James' The Children of Men is a very compelling story. It tells a fairly entertaining story, that is well-paced, and is technically sound. The concept of the story is also very original and one which narrates an important commentary on humanity. The novel has a lot going for it but for whatever reason I cannot say that it is incredible. The book does have a fairly slow beginning and does seem to get distracted at times. In conclusion, this book is one which is worth reading resulting in its 4 stars out of 5.

One of the best written books I can recall reading in decades! I loved the 2006 film adaptation of this book with Clive Owen and a couple of months ago, I picked this up on my travels. Very happy I did. It reminded me that reading can be more than just entertainment. At a time where these kind of books are getting increasingly formulaic (and long), it is a delight to read something that has an original narrative structure, long paragraphs and chapters, deep character development and wonderful prose. Unlike any other P.D. James book, by the way. It's a bit of a standalone in her oeuvre.

Looked forward to reading this book as i loved the movie.Definitley worth the read !!

great deal and condition

Un livre formidable, qui marque un peut comme La Servante écarlate de Margaret Atwood. L'espèce humaine ne parvient plus à se reproduire, l'organisation politique est basée sur un dictature. La notion de bonheur n'existe plus. Superbement écrit, se lit très facilement en anglais. Lecture recommandée.

Wunderbare Schriftstellerin! Sie könnte in der Zukunft sehen. Ein Visionär ist sie.