Review: Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams
Overview:
Rating: 3 out of 5.
While not terrible, this Agnes at the End of the World was not at all what I expected (mainly because I do no think its advertisement as a post-apocalyptic sci-fi is accurate). Generally, though, I enjoyed the different religious perspectives that this work introduced to the genre, as well as the sibling relationship between the two main characters. My least favorite part of this book was the use of a particular plot device in preventing conflict for Agnes.
Content Warning:
Agnes at the End of the World contains religious extremism, child abuse, sexism, gun violence, gore, mental illness, and a pandemic.
Book Description:
Agnes at the End of the World is a dystopian YA novel. Agnes lives in Red Creek, where a prophet dictates strict laws. Agnes is the caretaker of her younger siblings, one of which has diabetes and cannot get medical treatment at Red Creek. She must sneak out regularly to retrieve secret insulin for him. When a deadly pandemic hits, Agnes must decide whether to leave with her brother or risk his death in a bunker that the prophet has reserved for the end of days. In her attempt to escape, she discovers that she may have a greater connection to the illness than she realized.
On the Book as a Post-Apocalyptical Read:
Agnes at the End of the World is advertised as a post-apocalyptic sci-fi. For the first half of the book, this remains an accurate description. As the story develops, though, its focus shifts from that of cults and pandemics to a deeper exploration of the main characters’ varying interpretations of faith. The introduction of such topics in the context of this genre made for a new and interesting read for sure, but it caught me off guard. I don’t think this is a failing on the part of the author, who beautifully explores themes of religion in a context that is eerily similar to our own world during Covid, but rather a misstep in advertising. I went into this read with COMPLETELY different expectations and hopes than what was delivered and was somewhat disappointed.
On the Character Relationships:
Being that the title of this book is AGNES at the End of the World, I was expecting to only read from Agnes’ perspective. I was pleasantly surprised when McWilliams also included the narrative of her sister, Beth. Unlike Agnes, Beth is far more rebellious and has a greater focus on self-preservation. Their contrasting views towards religion, their community, and societal expectations, as well as their attempts to reconcile these things with one another, makes for a very juicy reading. I also relished how well McWilliams captured the sibling relationship, fights and all. In a book where a lot of suspension of disbelief is required, the connection between Agnes and Beth feels very real.
On the Building of Conflict [spoilers]:
At the risk of sounding blasphemous, I think the divine/supernatural/whatever-you-want-to-call-it force that aids Agnes is far too powerful. While it’s true that not everyone in this book survives, Agnes and those she cares about all miraculously make it to the end of the novel practically unscathed. Even the close calls don’t feel that close because there is always some last-minute epiphany or otherworldly assistance. This has the overall effect of removing conflict from the story and makes it predictably boring at points.
On Who Might Enjoy Agnes at the End of the World (an incomplete list):
I recommend you read Agnes at the End of the World if you:
are seeking a new perspective/dimension to the post-apocalyptic genre
enjoy reading about cults and true crime
are a fan of chosen one tropes
like books and t.v. shows such as like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Man in the High Castle
PLEASE NOTE: Image sources for the photo edit on this post can be found here.