Simon Dieppe

 

I chose this book because I really liked Emily St.John Mandel's Station Eleven. I really like the setting - a cargo ship is a great theatre for a drama and I really liked the facts added about the history and way of life on a container ship, as well as all the interesting details on nuclear fallout. The pace I thought was excellent and once, I had fully started to read it I did so very quickly, it is a very engaging read. The descriptions are a real strength and allowed me to immerse myself in the setting. I liked the characters and the story behind them and again a cargo ship is a great platform to explore what makes us human.

     

P.Ahern

 

In the Doldrums felt like an old school dystopian novel from the 1970s in terms of pacing and its character-driven plot. It took its time but never in a way that felt slow or unneccessary. The writing was confident, succinct and captivating, and a must if you love the works of John Wyndham and the likes. If you take a chance on a self-published novel this year, I couldn’t recommend In the Doldrums enough

     

E.J.Babb, Dystopic.co.uk

 

I started reading it one morning and could not put it down until I was finished, which I did that same afternoon -- even though I was at work! It's the societal realism and respect for the uniqueness and individuality of the characters that set this book apart from your average mystery or apocalypse story....I feel like I discovered an unknown gem, and I want everyone to read this one.

     

Adele, Goodreads

 

A beautifully written post apocalyptic tale. The unique setting of being on a cargo ship that provides for the crew while the world around them suffers a cataclysmic event is endlessly fascinating and intriguing. The juxtaposing themes of hope, despair, loneliness, fear, paranoia and friendship are all explored and navigated expertly. The geographically, scientifically and historically accurate facts grounds the story in realism and allows you to truly picture the settings and places from the story. I look forward in anticipation to the next novel from this author. Very well done!

     

Jon Athan, Goodreads