Title: How I Live Now
Author: Meg Rosoff
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Summary:
Relegated to the United Kingdom by her father and wicked stepmother, Daisy finds herself suddenly immersed within a tightly woven family of distant relatives. Overcoming the early twinges of culture shock intercontinental relocation dusted up she bravely adapts from somewhat spoiled city girl to the daily grind of meager English farm life.
Initially feeling inadequate with her new British surroundings Daisy quickly forges a much-needed bond with her Aunt Penn and four cousins. They provide her with a certain feeling of stability and love that she’s not experienced at home with her parents. With their support she swiftly adjusts to daily farm life by taking on chores and contributing as one would expect. Still a teenager though, she takes the time to enjoy a certain amount of frivolity. Though much more muted than the high-paced New York lifestyle she’d led previously Daisy revels in the joy of going to the lake to swim and sharing small snippets of time with her cousins.
Desperately in need of some sort of bond we watch as Daisy’s interactions with her new family flourish and grow; her relationship with each individual taking on a special and unique meaning. Aunt Penn becomes the substitute mother she’s never had. Providing her guidance and unconditional love and support. Piper the little sister she’d always wanted, a young girl who looks up to her and depends on her. Then Edmond, the boy she shouldn’t love but does.
Encountering a tentative and growing happiness her world shifts once again when England is unexpectedly and viciously thrown into the chaos of war. It is at this life altering moment that everything shifts once again. The children, having been left on their own while Aunt Penn is away on a business trip are forced to face the ravages of war — unspeakable violence, shortfalls on rations, and other common occurrences. Daisy and her new family are left to search for safety and stability.
Opinion:
Rosoff paints a realistic picture of the toll war takes on children there can be no arguing that. It is ugly and violent and at some points gruesome but it is also what one would imagine the ravages of war would be those so young. It was not difficult to read these circumstances, however, as the author was careful to craft scenes with just enough detail to allow the reader to imagine some of the children’s surroundings.
What the reader might find most compelling is the portrayal of the children’s fight for survival. How they manage everything from food and water to home security. Though young, they are shown as keenly intelligent and creative, cautious to navigate their precarious circumstances wisely and with great care. Moreover, it is in the end result, the “where are they now” element that the most satisfaction can be drawn. Without giving away that ending it can be said that it was painted a most believable and emotional way.
While there were passages and elements of the story I thought were too drawn out, the pacing a bit slow, I thought this quietly honest depiction was worthy of reading. It certainly puts a face on how children manage the diversity of war without being over the top in violence and gore. If a parent is looking for a book to educate their child of such real-life circumstances I’d certainly recommend How I Live Now.
