Glimmer by Marjorie B. Kellogg is a pseudo-dystopian novel set in New York City in 2110, where climate change has altered the city’s landscape, mostly flooding and practically destroying it. Those who could escape did, and those left behind bonded and created some sort of faction, akin to “Water World,” called dens.
The titular character, Glimmer, is simply a name that she gave herself and who seems to have lost her memory—narrating the grim situation of the city and the world entire, and her life in Unca Joe’s den. I do love Glimmer as a character. She’s charming, intelligent, and incredibly resolute. She’s a young adult who consistently makes admirable decisions.
The author’s world-building in this narrative presents a scenario highlighting humanity’s vulnerability on Earth, emphasizing the urgency for us to unite and take action before it’s too late. Several elements mentioned reflect ongoing issues in different regions globally. For instance, during the Covid-19 pandemic, there was widespread panic-buying and hoarding of supplies, illustrating the detrimental impact of selfishness. In “Glimmer,” the depicted situation is even more severe, prompting readers to contemplate its implications.
It took me a while to finish Glimmer. The first half was sluggish and not as engaging, but the premise is interesting enough for me to push through. After the very slow beginning, the pacing started to pick up, and the story morphed into something scary, exciting, and thought-provoking. There are many great scenes here, especially when the group came together to move into a new home within the city. It was heart-racing and heartwarming at the same time.
I do love the relevance of this book on what’s happening in the world now. I commend the extensive research put into it as the scenarios depicted are all plausible, with some even occurring currently. While the slow pacing at the beginning may require perseverance, I can guarantee that it ultimately offers a compelling and well-crafted narrative. Although the ending may feel sudden, it becomes inconsequential once you reach the conclusion.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Published October 19th 2021 by Daw Books
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Daw Books, via Netgalley for an impartial and honest review.
About the Author
Writer and scenic designer Marjorie Bradley Kellogg lives in Franklin, NY, where she is the editor of The New Franklin Register. She is the author of Glimmer, A Rumor of Angels, Harmony, The Dragon Quartet, and Lear’s Daughters. She has designed scenery for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and for resident theatres across the country and in Europe, receiving many industry awards for her work. She taught at Princeton and Columbia and was Associate Professor of Theater at Colgate University from 1995 to 2017.
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