Survival Game, The
Singer, NickyIf it's a game then there is not much fun to be had - fourteen-year-old Mhairi Bain is a survivor, going it alone, not too many questions asked. She is on the move, just like so many desperate others but at least she has a (supposedly) achievable destination: make her way from where her parents were killed in Africa, to her grandmother's distant home on the Scottish Isle of Arran. But easier said than done; it's checkpoint after checkpoint, obstacle after obstacle, including a young boy who may just save Mhairi as much as she rescues him.
Both powerful and easy to read, this is a compelling and thought-provoking story portraying an easily imagined future where climate change and mass migration rule the world.
Pages
355
355
Year
2018
2018
Reviews
11-01-2024
Every who read it enjoyed it. 4 people gave up after a few pages because they did not like dystopian stories, or they couldn't keep track of what was happening. Those who read it rated it highly.
15-11-2023
Easy read. Believable. Most didn't love the ending but understood its inclusion.
06-11-2023
We all found this book compelling - great post-read discussion about climate change etc. Short chapters were easy to read!
25-10-2023
A challenging read but very pertinent for today's world - especially through the eyes of a 14 year old girl. Several voted it a 1 or 2 initially, until after two others led a meaningful discussion of all issues that the young people WILL face. At the end the scores changed.
24-07-2023
Everyone enjoyed the book. Great insight to what might be in the future re: global warming. A book about a journey of life. Very descriptive and emotive.
17-03-2023
Initially, 'The Survival Game' received a mixed reception from the group. However, all agreed that it was worth persevering with after the slow beginning. It is well-written with believable characters, set in the near future, and the story was sad and very thought provoking. Our discussion was vibrant. Although marketed as a young adult book, there is certainly relevance for adults. We were left wondering how the world will be for our future generations. The notes were particularly helpful.
23-09-2022
Not all the group members enjoyed this book - not a popular novel!
20-06-2022
The discussion was mainly around the ideas in the book, many of us are old enough to find the idea of compulsory death at 74 a bit challenging. Several comments made about the quality of the writing, and some amusement around the concept of Scotland having the best weather in the world. Okay book but not brilliant.
30-03-2022
We all really enjoyed the book. It provoked a good discussion on love, belonging and rules. Would recommend to others to read.
30-06-2021
This is the most polarising book our group has had to date. It just didn't appeal to several members - possibly because it is young adult fiction. Others found it an enjoyable read.
20-06-2021
We enjoyed this book and it lead to good discussion on the moral dilemmas it brought up. It was a nice change to read some young adult fiction.
14-06-2021
Thought provoking, sad, dystopian in nature, but close to home in terms of possibility. Good read with strong impact through the storytelling.
21-04-2021
Book enjoyed by all, but worried that it may become a reality before long!
16-04-2021
Only a small group were able to attend the meeting, and most really enjoyed it - one read it twice. Several were school teachers and used to this genre.
22-03-2021
All enjoyed the book at our last meeting. We thought it very relevant to our times, and how the environment and family turning against each other is not too far fetched!! A good read from those attending.
15-03-2021
Powerful writing, thought-provoking in the current Covid environment - border controls etc. Strong characters, strong sense of place.