All The Water in The World by Eiren Caffall is a poignant speculative fiction novel that will leave you heartbroken with tears while simultaneously filled with hope for the future.
Synopsis
After the world’s glaciers melt causing massive flooding of coastal areas and changes in climate and weather patterns Nonie, her family and a small band of survivors have created a small community on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Yet, they’re forced to flee from this sanctuary when a superstorm known as a hyper cane causes the museum to become flooded leaving them no choice but to seek shelter in northern New York to her mother’s farm.
Armed with what little provisions they could gather and the records they’ve maintained in hopes of preserving history and returning the AMNH affectionately nicknamed “Amen” to its former glory they embark on their adventure. During their perilous journey in a post-apocalyptic world, this band of survivors encounter the aftermath of society as communities resort to various methods of survival. Segregation and racial divide are common and communities built upon fear and violence are also a real threat.
However, despite the dangerous circumstances of lack of safe drinking water, disease, and lack of sustenance they travel onward with hope and optimism that they will not only reach their destination but for a future and a tomorrow.
Content 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a dark and heavy read but considering it’s a post-apocalyptic novel following a world in ecological distress it aligns with the premise and themes covered in this novel. I enjoyed the themes surrounding climate change, community, found family, the preservation of history, grief, and survival.
I found this story to be deeply moving and emotional. Caffall did an excellent job of writing a fictional story that contained elements based on the reality of what could happen. Her exploration of this particular scientific possibility of what would happen if the glaciers melted and its impact on New York City felt so real.
She covered the complexities that could arise from this such as communities and people being displaced and becoming refugees as they were forced to travel away from their homes in search of new homes elsewhere in which they could live and exist.
Additionally, the found family element was such a tender spot for me and was written with such excellence. The explorations of grief and loss were also another poignant piece of this novel.
We not only got to explore the continual manifestation of grief and loss these characters experienced for their loved ones and their way of life. But also how it’s a nonnegotiable part of life that we’re bound to encounter grief at some point in our journey and it’s up to us to either allow it to lead to positive change or destroy us. This quote elaborates on this topic sufficiently.
“Thinking that the world has picked only you for tragedy is looking for mustard seeds. There is the weather and there is death. You can’t control them, and you can’t fool yourself that your name is the only one they know. They have everyone’s names in their mouths.”
Lastly, the discussions on the importance of the preservation of history were an interesting element of this story. It’s not a fact that many would think to focus on but it’s essential to rebuild communities and societies. We’re able to preserve and document history for future generations so that the trials and tribulations of humanity are not forgotten and can be learned from.
Writing Style🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Caffal’s writing style is raw, honest, introspective and reflective. She doesn’t scurry away from the darker elements of this novel and writes impactful scenes unashamedly maintaining grace and tact. She’s superb at capturing raw emotion aiding in creating a tense atmosphere where everything is slipping away.
I also appreciated how she described the time before the ecological disaster and the time after using the terms “The world as it was” and “The world as it is”. For some reason, they had such an emotional impact on me. You’re able to view how the situation began to deteriorate leading to its outcome.
Finally, I appreciated this story being told from Nonie’s viewpoint as the youngest of the group we got to see how much of “The world as it was” she missed from simple pleasures such as maple syrup which she never got to experience. This small reminder stands out allowing you to ponder the world that we’re leaving behind for the younger generation. What small joys and pleasures will no longer exist when they’re older?
Readability🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The combination of beautiful prose and well-crafted writing style blend to create an immersive and emotional experience. Caffal can pull you between past and present events without it feeling disjointed or confusing. However, it’s done in such a way as to increase emotional impact, creating anxiety and a sense of urgency for the reader.
The chapters were short and each focused on a particular theme which helped you understand more about the topics, circumstances, or situations that were the foundation of the events that transpired as this story progressed.
Plot Development🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story was high-intensity, fast-paced, and action-packed. It maintained the perfect balance of plot-driven and character-focused. Meaning there were actionable scenes, scenarios, and situations that progressed the story forward delivering twists and reveals. Simultaneously, we saw how these circumstances impacted Nonie emotionally, and mentally.
Additionally, Caffal was amazing at building your emotional investment within pivotal scenes. Hence why, the conclusion hit that much harder.
Characters🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
You’ll swiftly become emotionally attached to these characters as you learn more about their backstories and all they went through. While Nonie is the FMC and we see everything through her perspective. I didn’t feel I wasn’t able to connect with other characters and appreciate how dynamic they were.
Throughout this dark story, I loved how Nonie’s motivations and fight for survival hinged on her dream to work on the Sally Ride a boat where scientists work to study water and ocean. Throughout, all the trauma she clung to this fiercely and her love and connection to the water and the environment were so precious and revealed her innocence and made me feel optimistic and hopeful she would get the future she longed for.
The found family aspect was another beautiful element of this story. We see how through community these people were able to move forward with their lives even when hope seemed lost they had each other.
We do see each of these characters experience some vital growth throughout their journey. Perhaps my favorite was the various ethical dilemmas they experienced throughout their journey regarding race, the right to protect themselves, and the barbaric nature in which a few of the settlements they encountered structured their communities. I appreciated Caffal driving home the point that everyone had a right to safety, protection, and access to vital tools needed to survive without the need to feel indebted to someone.
Conclusion
Completing this novel was a life-changing experience and I’ll admit I bawled my eyes out. There was no part of my heart this story didn’t touch. My favorite theme has to be Caffal’s view of grief. How it’s an inescapable fact of life that permeates all aspects of our existence. We have to learn to process and carry our grief in a way that honors those that we’ve lost and the trials and tribulations we’ve endured. To become the best versions of ourselves.
