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It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue. ' Jodi Picoult It is hard to imagine a more timely novel than The Herd, which explores vaccination and weighs personal freedom against public health. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue. - Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HERE A member of the book club I am part of chose this book. I really enjoyed it. Easy to get into from the start. It certainly made me think about how much trust I have previously given to medical professionals; as well as friends and colleagues. A witty and heartfelt look at a family falling apart – and pulling together – when life doesn't turn out quite the way they imagined. Joint Winner of the Critics' Circle Most Promising Playwright Award, 2013.
The characters are well developed, and various people around the court case balance either side of the argument. I connected to all four main characters and could empathise with them easily. I can't remember the last time I gave a book a 5 star rating - but this actually is so much better than I expected it to be. It's thought out and each view and opinion is balanced and well constructed. What a great and timely book. Thought-provoking about an issue we are all facing in the current environment. Vaccinate or not? Definately not a new debate but one that has re-awoken in the last 2 years. So yes I am glad I gave the book a go and listened to advice to try it and it did turn out to be a worthy amd interesting read Two families lives are changed forever when Bryony tells what is supposed to be a white lie before a child's birthday party. This small lie will have consequences so huge, they could never have began to imagine...It took maybe 10% to get into it, its full of yummee mummee and posy dadee characters that I couldn’t relate to but as the story progresses that doesn’t matter so much as the story builds
Elizabeth and Bryony have been best friends since university even though their personalities are poles apart. They are godparents to each other's daughters and they trust that the safety of their children is both their top priority. On the face of it, the book sounded right up my street, but the when reading it just felt very flat. The main debate focusses on the idea of vaccinations, and I was expecting this to be symbolic for something else, or at least something that delves a little deeper than just vaccinations - but that was it. It didn't go deeper, it didn't strike up and conflict in my own opinions, it didn't stand for anything else. It was just a simple argument, written simply.History Makers: Female Writers Dominate the 2023 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award Shortlist A white lie told just before Elizabeth’s young daughters birthday party takes an unimaginable turn. The Herd follows best friends Bryony and Elizabeth. They live for their families and each other, trusting that they have the children’s best interests at heart. But it turns out some things have gone unspoken between them, and some lies may cause irreparable damage. The book is essentially a discussion over whether to vaccinate or not; it’s well written and an encompassing read which you won’t want to put down. This doesn’t conclude on either side of the argument but instead presents a well-researched view on both sides. This is like a Jodi Picoult novel, courageous discussing controversial subjects. It also worked through some of the myths surrounding MMR and autism.
A masterpiece of emotional nuance, this novel makes you think. It challenges pre-conceived attitudes and beliefs and it turns your heart upside down and inside out. The Swedish COVID-19 strategy was alternately lauded and held up as a cautionary tale by international governments and journalists alike ― with all eyes on what has been dubbed ‘The Swedish Experiment’. But what made Sweden take such a different path? The characters were strong and well executed and the research meticulous. The balance the author gives to both sides of the story is just perfect. The court case wrapped up with a great twist I didn’t see coming. This is essentially a book about two middle class women who think they know better than decades of established medical science. Sigh. The book begins with a courtcase but we don’t know any details of what has happened at this stage except that a tragic event has occured resulting in a very public courtcase. Told through dual timelines and from both Elizabeth and Bryony’s voices, the author slowly and meticulously reveals the story behind the courtcase. Throughout the book there are clever and original chapters told from the “onlookers” at the Courtcase, from an online troll to a social worker which gives the reader a really varied perspective on this highly topical issue.A real-life thriller about a nation in crisis, and the controversial decisions its leaders made during the COVID-19 pandemic. I loved this book. It put me through the emotional wringer. A genuine rollercoaster that asks big moral questions with beautifully drawn characters who left me in tears but also full of hope - Sharon Horgan
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