Book Review

Remember Tomorrow by Amanda Saint is a timely book considering what is going on in the world right now. Set in the future when the UK is cut off from the rest of the world and movement is restricted it it feels real. The book begins in the 2073 when Evie is a grandmother living with other survivors, but now things have deteriorated and food supplies are running short. Her grandson is looking for a scapegoat and has chosen Evie, who is a herbalist, to take the blame. Using medieval religious superstitions he brands her a witch and her life is now in danger.

The second part of the book looks back in time to when Evie is a teenager becoming an activist, her relationships, and her decisions to get out and move west to seek a better life. The third part moves on more years leading eventually to the events that have led her grandson to take against her. The last part is the climax to this book.

I was struck by how much I could identify with here and it made me think about the situation today in our own world. It has long been a concern of mine so this felt personal. I've often wondered what it would take for people to really do something, and I think there will always be those who will accept anything as long they don't have to make changes, so it didn't surprise me that groups of people in the book just accepted things the way they were.

It's quite a pacey read and I didn't want to put it down. While climate change is the major theme, this also deals with relationships through generations, and Evie has some hard lessons to learn personally. I rather enjoyed the fact that Evie's early years were spent in Reading. Having been there it was rather fun to recognise some locations! I always enjoy books set in places I know.

Climate fiction is very topical at the moment and this one certainly brings it home to you just how far we could fall if we don't change. Well written, powerful and haunting.