The Measure is a compelling and thought-provoking read from Nikki Erlick.
The world as we know it has changed, the swift changes brought about by the arrival of very mysterious boxes which have been delivered to every person around the globe. Inside the box is a piece of string, showing the number of years that person has left to live.
Some people choose to open theirs, others decide not to. But whichever choice is made, the ripples of that effect are felt. The lucky ones whose lives extend into old age are soon referred to as the long-stringers, and the unfortunate ones whose days on this Earth are more numbered become the short-stringers.
The Measure is such an interesting commentary on discrimination and the dangers of starting a divide that always has far-reaching consequences. I couldn’t help but think of the comparison to the divides on race and religion that has been sweeping the world, and more recently the split between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated. Even the world changing overnight and people from every country facing such major life transformations had echoes of what we have just suffered at the hands of Covid-19.
I didn’t expect to find such beautiful love stories and friendships within the pages of this book, and I couldn’t have anticipated that it would bring me to tears by the end. Each character’s stories are so expertly woven together, their choices having ramifications that will be felt throughout the book. And then there was an important message to live your life as if every moment counts, a welcome reminder as we head into a busy season with so much to do always.
I’ll leave you with this question: if you could open a box and find out how long your life would be, would you open yours, would you want to know?
Thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
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