This morning I watched a recording of last night’s rugby World Cup quarter final between Ireland and New Zealand, and this afternoon that between England and Fiji.
The rest of the day was spent completing my reading of
The copy I inherited from my Auntie Ivy contained a strip of glued
paper which I used as a bookmark.
Even before I reached “Here he learned for the first time of the Russo-Chinese war that had flared up out of the Israeli-Arab war….” on page 9 I had the sense that we were to be embroiled in a disaster to humanity displaying Shute’s prophetic facility. He only pinpointed one aspect of a world bent on self destruction, but did so chillingly, especially bearing in mind where we are at the moment on so many fronts.
We have a love story set against the background of the surge of radiation relentlessly progressing from the north to the south of the globe, where humanity is not expected to survive more than an ever decreasing few months.
With so many echoes of people’s responses to today’s various crises the author warns of what could be to come. His protagonists respond variously with scientific research, denial, resignation, planning for a future they cannot expect to have, partying, and preparation.
The compelling story keeps us gripped and scarcely daring to hope that all will eventually be well. The natural world may survive, but will humanity?
This evening we all dined on succulent roast chicken, fried potatoes and onions, meaty gravy, crunchy carrots, firm broccoli and Brussels sprouts., with which Jackie drank more Lieblich and I drank Doom Bar.
