Into the Forest

A Better Take on the Apocalypse

In the wake of all this 2012 nonsense, this post-apocalyptic book about two sisters in the midst of society's fall is a relief. The realistic way in which the world slowly deteriorates is interesting and believable. The author is an amazing writer and the story is filled with interesting facts about everything from plants to ballet.

The only thing that was a disappointment in the story was the sisters' incestuous relationship and the protagonist's sudden ability to produce milk. The overall novel was surprisingly realistic and these issues seemed to push it towards a more unbelievable event. The book would have survived without the girls' relationship and their survival was miracle enough that the breast-feeding was overkill and unnecessary.

Overall, I recommend everyone to read this book, especially the first three-quarters, just to experience the idea of a slowly decaying society and the author's amazing talent with words.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Painfeather

Padded in and looked for her kit

Extreme self-sufficiency

The book at first remeinded me a little bit of The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Self-sufficiency and family love do prevail, but what does the future hold? I had a lot of questions in my mind after I finished the book.

A great read

Couldn't put it down.

A debut novel and already a masterwork.

At first sight you could call this a SF novel with the classical ingredients. Something happened: a nuclear war? an accident with a biological weapon? Anyway it seems that public live has ceased to exist. There is no electricity, no TV or radio and everyone seems to have gone.

Two young sisters, who lost their parents, live in a cottage deep in the woods of North-California. As a result of what happened they're cut off completely until one day a young man comes to their house and he stays for a while. After he's gone, the two sisters gradually change into a more 'primitive' way of life with a different perception (more elaborated as time goes by) of their surroundings. (To some degree, it reminds me of the novel 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding).

But when you think it over, you could say it's a parable about growing up. The arrival of the young man drives them out of the 'Paradise' of their childhood and this starts the process of growing up. They don't turn into 'primitive' humans, they only lose their innocence. They become more mature and finally venture out of their cottage where they used to live for so long.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were other interpretations. It's a characteristic of masterworks to be interpreted in different ways.

Good book except for the incest

The concept had potential...two teenage sisters left to fend for themselves in the forest far from town after the collapse of society. The character development was up to par and the book was flowing smoothly, until the sisters began an incestuous sexual relationship with each other. I put the book down in disappointed disgust.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Well written but downer ending.

I found this book compelling and hard to put down, but if you like postapocalyptic fiction that ends on an upnote, e.g. '28 Days' (the movie) or 'The Stand', this is not your cup of tea. Without giving much away I can only say that at the end the sisters give in to barbarism and turn their backs on every vestige of the world that was, every hope they had.

A Realistic, Splendid Book

Into the Forest is a book that makes you pause for thought. Jean Hegland captures perfectly how a person might feel if this event really happened. It isn't something that would occur overnight, and nor does she portray that, or go into details that would detract from the focus of her book. She gently unfolds the story of two sisters, Nell and Eva, who, after their parents die, try their best, through routine and daily habit, to continue their lives in the US until things return to normal. We never know quite what has happened except it is a massive collapse of society, countrywide. Contact with the two men who come briefly into their lives test their relationship, but in the end bring them closer together. Jean Hegland describes Nell's experiences with an exquisite, refreshing quality, quite possibly touching on the truth of most first encounters than is normally written. Being a perceptive writer, she has put thought behind each word. Her every sentence is purposeful, lyrical, and sometimes hauntingly beautiful. Layer by layer, she peels away the fripperies of modern life and, through her characters, takes us back to the basics of existence by going Into the Forest. I thoroughly enjoyed this exceptional book.

A debut novel and already a masterpiece !

At first sight you could call this a SF novel with the classical ingredients. Something happened: a nuclear war? an accident with a biological weapon? Anyway it seems that public live has ceased to exist. There is no electricity, no TV or radio and everyone seems to have gone. Two young sisters, who lost their parents, live in a cottage deep in the woods of North-California. As a result of what happened they're cut off completely until one day a young man comes to their house and he stays for a while. After he's gone, the two sisters gradually change into a more 'primitive' way of life with a different perception (more elaborated as time goes by) of their surroundings. (To some degree, it reminds me of the novel 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding). But when you think it over, you could say it's a parable about growing up. The arrival of the young man drives them out of the 'Paradise' of their childhood and this starts the process of growing up. They don't turn into 'primitive' humans, they only lose their innocence. They become more mature and finally venture out of their cottage where they used to live for so long. I wouldn't be surprised if there were other interpretations. It's a characteristic of masterworks to be interpreted in different ways.

awesome, well written, very real

The author did a great job of making it so believable. I really enjoyed the book

exceptional, couldn't put it down

I liked this book and recommend it. I connected with the characters because I was home schooled too. I could really relate to what they were feeling. It's good!!!

Great Book!!

I read this book as a summer assignment for the next school year. My favorite kinds of books are the ones like 'Hatchet' where someone goes into the wilderness and tries to make the best out of their life. I also like books that include nature a lot. This book made me stop and think how I'd do if there was absolutely no electricity or communication to the outside world. I hope that there will be a sequel to this book!

Not to miss!

What a wonderful book for every woman to read. Especially anyone who has a love of nature and family and passions. A quick read that you won't be able to put down. Really makes you think about what's important in life and how caught up we get in material comforts.

Keep a box of tissues on hand!

This book is wonderfully written, heartwrenchingly poingiant, and deeply disturbing. the most terrifying part was that it was so easy to believe. I am a dancer like Eva, and connected deeply with the horror of a world without music. I gave this to all four of my sisters to read, and the agree with me that every woman should read this book!

WONDERFUL book

This is a wonderful story... could not put this book down. When you are done with it you can't help but say wow! It is a book that will make you think. A must read.

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