The Measure - Nikki Erlick

The Measure

By Nikki Erlick

  • Release Date: 2022-06-28
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4
4
From 828 Ratings

Description

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

"A story of love and hope as interweaving characters display: how all moments, big and small, can measure a life. If you want joy, love, romance, and hope—read with us." —Jenna Bush Hager

A luminous, spirit-lifting blockbuster that asks: would you choose to find out the length of your life?

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

Enchanting and deeply uplifting, The Measure is a sweeping, ambitious, and invigorating story about family, friendship, hope, and destiny that encourages us to live life to the fullest.

Reviews

  • Provocative

    4
    By Gogetlo
    Definitely made me think about life and death and the consequences of having a more definitive answer to your future. What changes would you make? Book stays with you.
  • Honesty

    5
    By colo barb
    So much of the division in the book is really present today. Such a novel focus strings. I enjoyed the differentiated interpretations of the impact. They are the thoughts we all have on a daily basis.
  • Nice idea but poor execution

    1
    By m.kratzat
    The writing is good, characters relatable and the problem is enticing but even after 50 some pages there’s nothing to show the characters finding a solution or making something work. I give books 50 pages to show me some plot arch as I believe that to be enough and this one did not pass the test.
  • Meh

    3
    By Astrid J.F
    It was like a lifetime cheesy movie
  • Fantastic

    5
    By VSpink_partyanimal!
    A modern day 5 People you meet in heaven. Really thought provoking.
  • A Wonderful Read

    5
    By 305San
    Not depressing, but thought provoking. Creates appreciation of everything on this beautiful earth.
  • The Measure

    5
    By Camicor
    This book has changed on how I look at life. I can’t say that about any other book and I am an avid reader. It is so well written I had to stop reading and just absorb the words. So many characters and it was easy to follow them all. l’ve asked my son and husband to read it because there are issues that must be discussed. Have Kleenex ready.
  • Surprised Me

    5
    By KTNZ34
    I didn’t know I would so thoroughly enjoy a story that’s premise seemed so unrealistic. Yet the characters were so relatable and realistic and the questions that came up for them are ones I began asking of my family and friends.
  • Fantastic

    5
    By Film Critic Momma
    The Measure is a beautiful allegory of the world we inhabit. The good, the bad, and the terribly ugly. The author makes it easy to substitute any minority or marginalized person in for the short-stringers and she doesn’t shy away from directly asking the reader to do just that. This is an easy, gripping read that you will want to read, discuss, and read again.
  • Enjoyable and thought provoking

    4
    By molrud
    Great characters, interesting concept. I enjoyed this story from start to finish. Would recommend