Ok, I'm sure it seems odd that I would subject myself to "young adult" fiction, having so recently declared my book selection independence with the beginning of 2015.
But, as previously posted, I felt the need to read Vivian Versus the Apocalypse because I discovered the author is a distant cousin on the Norton side of the family: Katie Coyle.
Clearly, this book wasn't written to appeal to an adult male.
It also won't be appealing to anyone who believes in such claptrap as the "Rapture."
Indeed, the only redeeming portion of the novel (from my viewpoint) came late in the narrative. Page 225 to be exact. That's when the title character gets verbally (and deservedly) bitch-slapped for lumping together all people of faith. And, it's great that the reality check is delivered by a devout Catholic.
I kept waiting for a similar bucket of cold water to be thrown on young Vivian's anti-capitalism delusions. Sadly, that did not happen.
The takeaway Coyle would leave us with is that we are all meant to be the hero of our own life stories.
To a degree, I suppose that may be true.
Vivian Apple's story would have us believe the stories of our origin are myths and ultimately disappointing. She would have us believe all the "supporting characters" are caricatures rather than fully-actualized human beings in their own right. And, a hero may only emerge in apocalyptic settings created by capitalist bogeymen.
Quite simply, Ms. Apple is quite naïve. She started out that way, and she remained in that condition at the end of this novel. Not a very good story arc for a title character.
We all stand on the shoulders of those who went before. We also have a tremendous cast of "supporting characters," whether we choose to recognize it or not. And, if we are blessed--yes, blessed--to live in a capitalist society, then we may actually have a setting worthy of a truly amazing story.
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