Dry

 

Co-Authors: Neal & Jarrod Shusterman

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Format: Paperback

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Synopsis

California goes through a sudden shortage in water AKA the most consumable natural resource in the world. The everyday lives of a suburban town is struck with shock when taps start to run dry, an event addressed by the Government as the “Tap-Out.” As people are faced with the horrible reality of their situations, questionable decisions are made for the sake of securing water.   

The subject matter is a difficult topic to fathom especially since it’s an actual issue that affects certain parts of the world today. Normally, in developed countries where daily necessities are taken for granted, natural disasters like a drought are not prepared for or least of all expected.

People’s characters are called into question on how they handle themselves and others during a dire situation like this one. I thoroughly appreciated that this novel presents different views of the same issue and how this doesn’t necessarily portray people as evil but ‘human.’

The events following the revelation of the ‘Tap-Out’ (as coined by the book), was a whirlwind of heart wrenching moments led by Alyssa and her brother Garrett who initially went on a search for their parents but ended up encountering different people along the way with the same goal in mind, quenching a thirst they never knew they had.

The regrets and sufferings that the characters went through was painful to read, as I distinctly compared my status to theirs: sitting on a La-Z-Boy sofa in the comfort of my own home and to further add to the cruel irony, I kept a bottle of water in hand throughout the experience.

This book’s message serves as a reminder to always be appreciative, resourceful, stock up and most importantly not to lose yourself and step on others for the sake of security alone, lend a helping hand because karma circles around you. The Shustermans have done a splendid job which is why I always keep coming back for more of their content. I can honestly picture this becoming a successful movie adaptation if placed in the right hands of course.

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