A Children's Bible

A CHILDREN’S BIBLE

by Lydia Millet

 

Nominations: Aspen Words Longlist 2021, James Tait Black Finalist 2020, National Book Finalist 2020, NY Times Finalist 2020

 

Date Read: March 22, 2021

 

The premise of this unique take on the Bible tells of a not-so-distant future where environmental collapse is closer than we think. Twelve children are taken to a large lakeside mansion by their families, which appears as more of a hostage situation than a vacation. The parents are so distracted and aloof that the kids play a game of hiding which kids belong to which parents.

 

Part Lord Of The Flies, part The Road, the children ultimately end up the mature ones as they ride out a storm, deal with a hostile occupation and prepare for the collapse of civilization. 

 

In a bizarre and clever twist on the Bible, these organized and precocious kids survive a flood, survive in an “ark” of treehouses, a birth in a barn complete with donkeys, the arrival of three magi and assist during a plague. On the farm where they retreat after the flood, their parents unwilling to abandon the collapsing mansion, the Owner gives them the Ten Commandments, which they ultimately obey, ensuring their own survival.

 

The most interesting take on this for me was Jack’s reading and interpretations of the Bible he was given by one of the mothers. He called it a mystery because he was trying to determine not only how it ends but what each aspect of the Trinity represented. His ultimate conclusion was God symbolizes Nature, Jesus symbolizes Science and in the Holy Ghost symbolizes Art. Through these three parts of what is collectively known as God can mankind be saved. 

 

I found the empowerment of these kids to not only organize but to act exciting and meaningful. I truly believe that only through the fresh perspectives of the next generation will our own humanity be saved. We need to treat them and our planet accordingly.

 

Looking Forward: Magnificence, Sweet Lamb Of Heaven

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