"The Means of Keeping" is set in a near-future America and follows lifelong friends Tereza Allard and David Luca, who are devastated by a climate crisis-induced tragedy that claims the lives of their families. As they navigate their profound loss, the story poignantly captures the intersections of love, renewal, environmental activism, and the quest for meaning in a world teetering on the brink of irreversible damage.
The narrative style weaves the introspective depth reminiscent of Kazuo Ishiguro with the environmental consciousness of Barbara Kingsolver. It is designed for readers who seek not only a compelling story but also a reflection on the broader issues facing our world today. With its haunting prose and evocative imagery, the novel invites us to envision a future where love, resilience, community, and a strong commitment to our planet guide us towards regaining our collective humanity. May our children inherit not only a healthier planet but also an indomitable spirit to prevail against all odds.
Marcello's narrative is compelling as it captures these complex protagonists’ raw desperation and need as they face life bereft of their companions. The novel's first half is particularly gripping, with Marcello employing flashbacks with much haunting imagery, enriching the flow of the narrative present rather than disrupting it, and offering an intoxicating take on the storm's aftermath, as Tereza and David are haunted by ghosts of the past. Romance is in question throughout. While Tereza resists the idea of new love, David's feelings are more ambiguous, as he’s harbored a lifelong love for Tereza, which Marcello utilizes to draw a laser-sharp focus on the theme of environmental activism, highlighting how the duo’s unconventional dynamic mobilizes their anguish. Soon, they’re spearheading a sustainable community called Keeping to counter the climate crisis.
While the latter chapters can sometimes feel bogged down by the intricacies of all things Keeping, Marcello resolves the predicament Tereza and David find themselves in with a heart that honors the past while training an eye on a sustainable future. The novel encapsulates this dual focus: "Our decision to build a sustainable community,” one character notes, is about nothing less than “the need for survival, about leaving our children a planet where they can not only survive, but thrive." The Means of Keeping offers something rare in climate fiction: persuasive hope.
Takeaway: Touching story of non-platonic friendship, loss, and grief amid climate disaster.
Comparable Titles: Charlotte McConaghy's Migrations, Meg Little Reilly's We are Unprepared.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
