This is a really great read, and it’s one of those books that is just so good on so many levels. It is a truly great thought provoking debut novel.
This is really good read, and it’s one of those books that is good on so many levels. Firstly it is really well written. The characters are all really well rounded with such individual natures but all very real too. The story itself is so well thought out and sensitively written. I kept wondering how this story would end as the story was so well balanced but the author clearly had it covered and I think the story had the perfect ending for such a story. On the face of it it is a story about differences of opinions centred around vaccinations but I actually think it is a much bigger story than that, it is about friendships and relationships but ultimately it is about being a parent, how complicated that can be and how it makes everyone feel differently. It also gives equal thought to the roles of both mum and dad. This is is a truly great thought provoking debut novel.
Timely and emotionally involving exploration of the privilege of choice and the cost involved.
At a time when the Covid-19 vaccine debate is raging, Emily Edwards' even-handed and emotive family drama tackles another just as hotly contested vaccination debate with its focus on those given exclusively to children. Probing when social responsibility takes precedence over the “my child, my choice” argument, this is a book ready made for discussion.
Middle-class mothers organised Elizabeth and laid-back Bry are best friends, neighbours and godmothers to each other’s children. Elizabeth youngest child, Clemmie, is about to turn seven but due to seizures as a baby she wasn’t able to have the standard childhood vaccinations and, as such, relies on those around her being immunised. Ahead of the party, neurotic Elizabeth fires off an email to the parents of Clemmie’s guests querying their vaccination status. Bry has been conditioned to be fearful of vaccines due to her mother’s belief that her severely autistic elder brother’s condition was a direct result of receiving the MMR vaccine and, as a consequence her daughter Alba is unvaccinated. When Clemmie’s party has tragic consequences for one family, blame is quick to be apportioned. As the fallout tears apart their friendship and ignites fury in the local community with one family pilloried for their lack of social responsibility, for the other family, justice means taking the case to court.
Neither Elizabeth or Bry are particularly likeable or warm characters and this actually works to the benefit of the novel as I found it allowed me to be all the more objective about the situation that transpired and the raw vulnerability that it exposes in both women. The late twist was something that I did no foresee and it is testament to the quality and maturity of the writing that it does not feel gimmicky in the slightest and in fact makes sense of everything. I am not even a parent yet was fully invested in this compelling and compassionate novel.
Relevant, significant and thought-provoking, The Herd combines a balanced approach to a very current and emotive issue with believable characters and a cracking good read.
Bry and Elizabeth. Lifelong friends who can read each other’s emotions by body language alone. So close that each knows what the other is thinking without needing to say a word. What could possibly shatter their bond? But just because they are close doesn’t mean that they always have to agree. Ex-solicitor Elizabeth controls her family, three children and husband, with an iron fist. Campaigning for the community and working for the benefit of others while Bry is a free spirit. Raising her daughter in what Elizabeth would call a haphazard way. Godmothers to each other’s girls, the women are always there for each other but one small decision, an apparently minor lie, will change all that forever. We watch as tragedy blows their worlds apart and wait for them to piece them back together but will it even be possible?
The Herd is a timely reminder of the difficult decisions facing us in life. Where exactly is the tipping point between caring for your nearest and dearest and thinking about society as a whole? When should we, as individuals, consider making decisions for the greater good and what exactly are the consequences if we get those decisions wrong?
Relevant, significant and thought-provoking, The Herd combines a balanced approach to a very current and emotive issue with believable characters and a cracking good read.
An unputdownable novel which examines one of the most polarising topics of current times. I LOVED it.
The Herd is one of those rare books that was so enthralling, I was annoyed every time I had to put it down. Although I didn't really warm to either of the female protagonists, I was absolutely caught up in the way Emily Edwards tells this story.
Vaccinations are one of the most polarising topics of our time, and I felt the author gave a really balanced view of both sides of the argument. You couldn't help but feel for all those involved in the sad story.
I highly recommend this book, whatever your opinion on vaccines - well written, well paced and unputdownable, as far as I was concerned. I look forward to reading more of Emily Edwards' writing.
A thought provoking story which shows both sides of the vaccination process. It shows two parents who both want to protect their children in their own way.
The Herd is a thought provoking story, it features Elizabeth and Bryony. They are best friends but polar opposites to each other. They are also godmothers to each others daughters. Elizabeth's daughter Clemmie cannot be vaccinated because of an early childhood illness and so the family rely on a herd immunity in order to keep her safe. Bryony grew up with a severely autistic brother, which her mother blames on the MMR vaccine. Bryony has had it ingrained in her from young that vaccines are bad so she vows never to vaccinate her own child. Before Clemmies birthday party Bryony tells a little white lie and the consequences of this ends up being fatal. I really enjoyed this story, I loved that it gave both sides of the story equally. The writing made me feel for both Elizabeth and Bryony at times and the ending was perfect for the story.
Can't vaccinate versus won't vaccinate. A child is the one who will suffer.
With current world events, vaccinations are at the forefront of current debates, so this novel fits in nicely.
Elizabeth and Bryony live opposite one another with their respective families and despite their differences, they are best friends. Elizabeth is organised and orderly; Bryony goes with the flow and is more relaxed. Both women have young children. One woman is pro-vaccination, one woman is strongly anti-vaccination; one of their children cannot be vaccinated, another child isn't. When a measles epidemic starts in their town, who will bear the blame and who will bear the pain?
Although the topic was slightly contrived and the theme similar to books I've read before, The Herd was very engaging. Characters were very well written and enjoyable to read. They seemed realistic and relatable, whichever viewpoint you personally agree with. Supporting characters were also appealing and interesting. Everything was very real and there was a lot of detail within the plot and descriptions making it believable.
Suitable for fans of Jodi Picoult, though less dramatic, or anyone who enjoys a true to life tale with realism and a moral dilemma.
Two women. Next door neighbours. Best Friends, One pro Vaccines. Other anti-Vax. A story of modern dilemmas and the danger of Social Media. Well worth reading. Loved it.
Elizabeth is giving a party for Clemmie’s birthday and asks all the parents to only come if the children have been vaccinated.
Rather than have a problem, Bryony lies by omission about Alba’s status.
There is a Measles outbreak in their area. The area has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country basically because of the outdated misinformation on vaccines.
Of course many of them contract the measles virus some with dire consequences.
A very relevant story although set before Covid.
Will healthy young people get a mild dose and will we have ‘herd’ immunity.
Great story. Well told with a wonderful sting in the tale.
A very topical and sensitive exploration of both sides of the vaccination argument and with an ending which is definitely worth the wait!
This is a timely novel in which both sides of the vaccination debate are sensitively explored. Two very close friends, Bryony and Elizabeth have always embraced the fact that they are polar opposites of each other and yet seem to complement each other perfectly. Both trust one another implicitly, are godmothers to each other’s children and mutually support each other in the care of their families. Sadly, their contrary views over whether to vaccinate their children, tests their friendship to the limit and when Bryony misleads Elizabeth with a selective truth, a tragic chain of events follows.