Before getting into the story itself: one of the first things I always think about when I’m reading an America-centric book where outrageous things haBefore getting into the story itself: one of the first things I always think about when I’m reading an America-centric book where outrageous things happen is what is the rest of the world thinking? Do they try to intervene or do they just think that if they give America enough time it’ll just get its act together? In the case of Vivian Apple at the End of the World, did the rest of the world just watch as the USA became overwhelmed with cultish fanatics of the Book of Frick—an odd gospel which combines Biblical damnation and capitalist virtue? I mean, the Book claims America to be the chosen land of God and contains a parable of Starbucks. Was the rest of the world disappointed that they weren’t part of America’s salvation or were they too busy laughing to give it a serious thought? Alas, we may never know (although there is a sequel, so maybe I spoke too soon).
Vivian Apple at the End of the World has been on my TBR list for a while. Long enough that all I remembered of the premise of the book was that it begins with the Biblical end of days, that the protagonist comes home the day after the Rapture to find her parents missing. So when Vivian Apple returns to an empty house the night after the supposed Rapture, two empty holes in the ceiling the only sign that something’s amiss, my first reaction was that it happened. That as ridiculous as Pastor Frick’s gospel was, as far as this plot was concerned, it was the truth of the novel. It wasn’t until other characters started voicing their doubts that I began to entertain my own. Perhaps this book wasn’t set in a world where a bizarre Evangelical religion correctly predicted the Apocalypse. But then what did happen? An elaborate con? Aliens? And if everyone thinks it’s the Rapture and acts like it’s the Rapture, does it even matter if that might not be the truth? Vivian Apple asks these same questions to herself as she embarks on a cross-country road trip with her best friend Harp and new acquaintance Peter in search of the truth of what happened that night of the Rapture.
For me, the strength of this novel lies in its characters. Vivian Apple is never anything more or less than what she appears to be: a teenage girl navigating a fast changing and dangerous brave new world. She gets angry and frightened and is also kind and inquisitive (and a maybe a little bit enamored). While maybe nothing extraordinary, Vivian is, as her best friend Harp reminds her, the hero of her own story.
Harp was the light and soul of this story for me. I love few things more in a book that strong female friendships, and Harp’s no-nonsense no-filters attitude towards the world was a delightful contrast to Vivian’s often-quiet self. While Harp and Vivian may not have known each other long, they trust and love each other with the type of kinship that can only be forged by standing sane as the world around them turns into a cultish mess.
A relatively quick read, I highly recommend this book. ...more
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