To be honest, I did not mind the movie, but I don't think it met the hype that surrounded it. The novel, I feel, offers much more sustenance, is more thought out, and there is an emotional connection with the characters.
The book, therefore, follows the same plot. The protagonist, Malorie, lives in an apocalyptic world where unseen creatures cause people to kill themselves, and others.
Malorie is alone, raising two young children on her own, without the use of their sight, and they have just left their house of 4 years in favor of searching for a better life down the river.
The novel is written in two perspectives: the present, where Malorie and her children are traveling on the river, and the past, from when the creatures first emerged to today.
In the beginning, Malorie lives with her sister, Shannon, where they are keeping tabs on "The Problem": a series of events in which people have inexplicably killed themselves.
At the same time that all of this is happening, Malorie discovers that she is pregnant. The incidents start occurring closer to where the sisters live. They begin covering up windows. The government sets a curfew; no one is to go outside.
Pregnant and afraid, Malorie sees an ad in the newspaper for a neighborhood sanctuary. She makes it to the house, where she finds five other people (and, shortly afterwards, another pregnant woman arrives). Everyone seems to be in agreement that unseen creatures are causing the devastation.
They cannot be viewed on camera either -- that theory was tested...
One day, two of the housemates go outside, looking for dogs -- to guide and to guard. They eventually do make it back home, with two Huskies and a box of birds.
Another time, a man shows up at the house, looking for shelter. The man, Gary, says he had to leave his group because their safety was jeopardized.
Malorie discovers that it was actually Gary that feels this way, and he is kicked back out of the house. Soon, the due date is upon both pregnant women, as they both give birth at the same time. However, during a huge commotion, Malorie is shocked to find Gary standing in the same room!
From downstairs, Malorie hears that a housemate has opened the doors -- the creatures are inside. The other mother sees one and commits suicide. Malories keeps her eyes closed and is able to save both babies. Gary leaves; everyone in the house is dead.
The phone rings; it is a man, letting Malorie know they have a safe community, but she will have to take the river in order to reach it.
Fast forward to the family on said river. They finally arrive at Jane Tucker School for the Blind, a self-sustaining community. Malorie finally names the children: Olympia and Tom.
All in all, it was a decent book! 馃憤 I thought it was written wonderfully for a horror novel -- it was chockful of suspense. The book was much more structured and graphic. I also really appreciate that the creatures are never fully revealed to us; rather, we are left at the mercy of our abundant and ceaseless imaginations. It's very easy to picture a grotesque monster (and find that frightening enough on its own), but being afraid of "nothing" will always be the supreme fear.
