I have been meaning to ready Megan Abbott for ages. I’ve only heard good things, in particular her latest books, so thought I’d begin with her brand new novel. Abbott’s last few novels have all been set in the world of teenage girls, a world she has been exploring because ‘Noir suits a 13-year-old girl’s mind’
Not only is The Fever a fantastic noir crime novel but it is a great exploration of the secrets and lies of teenage life and the hysteria that can so easily get whipped up now in a world of social media, Google and 24 hour news.
One morning in class Deenie’s best friend Lise is struck down by what seems to be a seizure, she is later rushed to hospital and put on life support. Nobody knows what caused the seizure. When other girls are struck down with similar symptoms confusion quickly turns to hysteria as parents and authorities scramble for answers. Are the recent student vaccinations to blame? Or is it environmental? And what steps are authorities taking to protect other children?
Abbott tells the story from one family’s point of view alternating between Tom, a teacher at the school, his son Eli, who is the object of a lot of girls’ affections and younger daughter Deenie, whose best friend Lise is the first girl struck down with this mysterious ailment. Each point of view is almost a different world giving not only a different perspective to the story but a different emotional intensity and sense of urgency.
The secrets and lies of teenage lives coupled with the paranoid and hysterical nature of parenting in the 21st century make for a truly feverish and wickedly noir-ish read.
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My teen boy has read 3/5 of those books: Hatchet (all my kids read this in 4th or 5th grade as required--so not sure about the "teen" label), Ender's Game, and Eragon. We watched "My Side of the Mountain" together in 8th grade. Though it was pretty dated and easy to poke fun at a bit, it led to some interesting discussion. I'm surprised to see it in a Top 5 list. Journey to the Center of the Earth, Time Machine, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, yes. All good and should be read at some point. I'm surprised Lord of the Rings (or The Hobbit) isn't on there, along with Harry Potter (it grows up with you), and Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Classics are great, and there are plenty to be found for teen boys.
My son read one--Eragon. I have Hatchet and Enders Game but they weren't into it.