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Swarm follows Sandy as she and her partner Marvin and their friend Thomson struggle to survive on an island. The novel weaves from past to future to show Sandy’s story. On the island a mysterious girl is taking food from their already meagre stores. Marvin has no sympathy for the girl. They don’t have enough for themselves. Yet, Sandy dreams of being a mother. She desires the opportunity to do impossible mother and daughter things in a world that no longer exists.
The bees, the swarm of the title inhabit both parts of the novel and are a symbolic link to both what has gone wrong with the world and the possibility of hope. Swarm explores and all too likely scenario of economic collapse that leaves the largest part of the population hopeless.
Swarm reminded me of Margaret Attwood’s work in which everything carries weight. The story is built on the warp and woof of time and meaning. We feel Sandy’s desires and sometimes get impatient with her refusal to anchor her life in what is real rather than hopes that seem little more than a will-o-the-wisp. Then we see Marvin’s harshness and the way he’s been reduced by their subsistence living to focus only on what will help them survive and we hope that Sandy might succeed.
Between Sandy and Marvin, there is Thomson, a dying father figure, the inspiration to Marvin’s violence who rejected violence and yet refuses to reject either Marvin or Sandy. He is the one who forces a recognition of the value of death and it is no accident that he is also the bee keeper of the book.
Swarm is a challenging and occasionally a difficult read, but all the more valuable for that. It points to our present reluctance as a society to change. We are moving toward the brink, and Sandy’s story could be anyone’s story in a few years. The book is about not just the choices of a few characters, but the choices we’ve made as a species. I highly recommend it.
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Is it time to Swarm?
Reviewed in Canada on September 20, 2015Verified Purchase
Is it time to Swarm?
Reviewed in Canada on September 20, 2015
Lauren Carter's Swarm was a commentary to me on how an average, passive young woman can be pulled into anarchy and violence by just not acting on her own beliefs or values. Sandy is pulled and pushed by Martin but lead and loved by Tomson. She is used and abused, really, all in a sea of grey until she herself accepts responsibility for her own life and actions. The two worlds of Sandy - past and present - mirror her downfall and growth as the bee-keeper and father figure Tomson remains steadfast and willing to teach, guide and support. Bees alone cannot survive. They and we each have our own part to play but it is always in connection or relationship with others. Anarchy is based on individuals acting out against oppression but often based on a reverse oppression of their own - willing to sacrifice many to teach a few. Even on the island, Marvin is willing to sacrifice the well-being of the mystery girl to ensure his own survival. His beliefs and values do not align with Sandy's. Only when Sandy reaches into her own well of being does she rise above this and become the leader and guide, influencing Martin's choices and building her own "hive" as a new society struggles to re-invent themselves. I liked this book on many levels and feel I could learn even more by re-reading. It was a challenging read and one I did all in one day. It is a great commentary on where we, as citizens of earth, are standing right now. It makes the reader think about the age-old question: Can I make a difference? Is it time to swarm?
Reviewed in Canada on September 20, 2015
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