Analysis Of California Lepucki
California by Edan Lepucki is an okay dystopian/apocalyptic novel. It gets the elements right that it needs to succeed: its main characters (Frida and Cal), the apocalyptic situation (a series of natural disasters), and a promising start (the two need to survive in this world against the odds). Unfortunately, it falls short in other important areas. The other characters are pretty bland, the world isn’t very interesting (as apocalypses should be), and the story fails to be engaging. Frida and Cal are definitely the best part about California. The story is told from the couple’s perspective, which shifts between the two every chapter. Both characters are fully fleshed out, and the reader is given full access to their thoughts, which makes the
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At best, the overall story is okay, and at worst is utterly predictable. There’s a place called The Land which is shrouded in mystery, so Frida and Cal go there. Once there, they find Micah (who isn’t dead after all!), who is the leader of the strange and cult-y settlement, and for the big climax they…leave. Which they were never really prevented from doing in the first place. After most of the novel is spent on revealing how the mysterious colony really works, Lepucki is pretty quick to just toss the place aside with no real impact. The only real reason for Frida and Cal to stay is because they have razors and soap, unlike the woods where they were previously. Then it’s all okay at the end because they move to a place with razors, soap, and schools. Despite all of these things, California isn’t a bad book. It just could have been a lot better. If the novel just nailed the areas I talked about, it could have been an amazing novel. Without them, it just falls to okay. Frida and Cal are joyous characters to see the world through. So much so, I could have read the whole novel with them staying put in the forest, and been thoroughly entertained. For the average audience member, I’d be hesitant to recommend this novel. There are probably better books to spend your time reading. If you’re really into the dystopian/apocalyptic genre, though, I can’t see why you wouldn’t enjoy California. I can’t see myself going back for a second run, but if I do, it will be to enter the minds of Frida and Cal
At best, the overall story is okay, and at worst is utterly predictable. There’s a place called The Land which is shrouded in mystery, so Frida and Cal go there. Once there, they find Micah (who isn’t dead after all!), who is the leader of the strange and cult-y settlement, and for the big climax they…leave. Which they were never really prevented from doing in the first place. After most of the novel is spent on revealing how the mysterious colony really works, Lepucki is pretty quick to just toss the place aside with no real impact. The only real reason for Frida and Cal to stay is because they have razors and soap, unlike the woods where they were previously. Then it’s all okay at the end because they move to a place with razors, soap, and schools. Despite all of these things, California isn’t a bad book. It just could have been a lot better. If the novel just nailed the areas I talked about, it could have been an amazing novel. Without them, it just falls to okay. Frida and Cal are joyous characters to see the world through. So much so, I could have read the whole novel with them staying put in the forest, and been thoroughly entertained. For the average audience member, I’d be hesitant to recommend this novel. There are probably better books to spend your time reading. If you’re really into the dystopian/apocalyptic genre, though, I can’t see why you wouldn’t enjoy California. I can’t see myself going back for a second run, but if I do, it will be to enter the minds of Frida and Cal