Plague [Hardcover]

Jean Ure (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1991

Three teenagers attempt to survive on their own when a devastating plague sweeps London.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fran returns from a wilderness trip to find London cut off from the rest of the world, besieged by a plague that has taken the lives of her parents and many of her friends. Once inside the city--a group of children show her a secret way to reenter--the only thing Fran knows for sure is that she must escape in order to survive. Stealing and scavenging for food, Fran nurses her friend Shahid miraculously back to health before she manages to cross the city's boundaries to an uncertain future. Gripped by the pall of disease, death and government conspiracy, Ure's tale must work hard to achieve a more hopeful plane. Fran's hard-won, stoic optimism at the book's end seems a faint cheer compared to the thunderous silence of the dead she leaves behind--and is sure to encounter ahead, as Ure suggests a global disaster has occurred. More chilling than thrilling, this frightening, thought-provoking novel grabs the reader's attention and holds tight until the last word. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-9-- Fran, 16, returns from four weeks on a wilderness survival trip to a city eerily quiet and the residents gone--either hiding in fear, or dead from a mysterious illness. Although the area has been sealed off to prevent the disease from spreading, Fran finds a way home, only to discover that the plague has arrived before her. Her story alternates with that of classmate Shahid, an outsider by virtue of his race. The third member of the triumvirate is Fran's best friend, Harry, whose natural impulsiveness has been exacerbated to near-insanity. The three set out to find Shahid's brother on the north side of London. As Harry becomes more unstable and Shahid becomes ill, it is left to Fran to save them. Both the physical struggle to survive, and the character development that supports and results from it, are clearly and accurately depicted. Plot development is sure-footed, and dialogue is realistic. Ultimately, there is a note of hope, and even moments of humor. What is not funny is the typical infuriating attempt to translate Briticisms into American English; it's inconsistent, insulting, and awkward. In one case, in calling a cooker the "stove," term and technology do not agree, and only serve to highlight the absurdity of this practice. Otherwise, this is a solid addition to teen fiction collections, and a discussion starter about survival morality or political responsibility. --Barbara Hutcheson, Greater Victoria Public Library, B.C., Canada
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 218 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books (J) (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152624295
• ISBN-13: 978-0152624293
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,186,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best authors?, January 3, 2000

By 

Anna-Louise Gordon (Northwood College School, London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plague (Paperback)

I read this book a few years ago, after meeting the author Jean Ure at my school. She could possibly be one of the nicest and most interesting people I have ever met, making time for everyone and making sure we were all happy with the way she treated us.

This has to be one of the best of her books, and I feel almost like I understand just how these characters are feeling and why she put them in that position. The story is most noticeable because of the story, there is not predictable plot and you find yourself sittin gon the edge of your seat waiting for what will happen next, yet crying with upset for what is happening to the characters at the same time. Definitely worth reading, BUY IT! PS....it's late at night, I apologise to my school for making it look like I am making great grammatical errors!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A daring foray into the unknown, an alive story, June 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Plague (Paperback)

Jean Ure has successfully created a sense of loneliness, morbidness and a pervasive feeling of helplessness in this novel about a girl Fran who goes off to a survival camp for a month and finds everything wracked by this plague she doesn't know much about. Her friend Harriet - went bonkers. She gets to know Shahid, who was with her throughout the most torturous days of the plague. This is a perfect book for the exploration of the innate psychology of youngsters when they are under pressure. It also gives an insight into the lives of British kids under a 'pop-diesel' culture. A book worth reading, especially when you feel that you have nothing to read. This book has the ability to give you a creepy feeling, because it is so sci-fi and is mainly a foray into a genre yet unsaturated.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a book to read when you are sick!, March 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Plague (Paperback)

I thought this book was kind of freaky. The thought of everyone
I knew dying kind of struck me I guess! And because it freaked me a
little, I didn't like reading it at night, so I could never really
sit down and get into the book. But I can say, I was into the book
enough to know these facts: *The book is very clear, and each person
and scene is drawn well in your head. *The story is very flowing, but
the pace and amount of excitement varies a lot! * This is a good book
and I highly recommend you to read it!!
-Katharine Manning, American School In Japan, 6th Grade