The Measure - Nikki Erlick

The Measure

By Nikki Erlick

  • Release Date: 2022-06-28
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4
4
From 492 Ratings

Description

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

"A story of love and hope as interweaving characters display: how all moments, big and small, can measure a life. If you want joy, love, romance, and hope—read with us." —Jenna Bush Hager

A luminous, spirit-lifting blockbuster for readers of The Midnight Library. 

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

Enchanting and deeply uplifting, The Measure is a sweeping, ambitious, and invigorating story about family, friendship, hope, and destiny that encourages us to live life to the fullest.

Reviews

  • Surprised Me

    5
    By KTNZ34
    I didn’t know I would so thoroughly enjoy a story that’s premise seemed so unrealistic. Yet the characters were so relatable and realistic and the questions that came up for them are ones I began asking of my family and friends.
  • Fantastic

    5
    By Film Critic Momma
    The Measure is a beautiful allegory of the world we inhabit. The good, the bad, and the terribly ugly. The author makes it easy to substitute any minority or marginalized person in for the short-stringers and she doesn’t shy away from directly asking the reader to do just that. This is an easy, gripping read that you will want to read, discuss, and read again.
  • Enjoyable and thought provoking

    4
    By molrud
    Great characters, interesting concept. I enjoyed this story from start to finish. Would recommend
  • Interesting Premise but Doesn’t Go Anywhere

    3
    By gdub2019
    Too long and too many characters.
  • Fascinating Novel

    5
    By xosaraduncan
    I read this for my neighborhood book club. Honestly, it’s not something I would have picked to read myself but I’m so glad it was thrust upon me lol. What a fascinating concept, that really makes you think about what you would do, how you would respond, and treat others. Stories like this always make me wonder how the author came up with their novel’s concept. What a special book!
  • R. T. Lund

    3
    By Noir follower
    What started out original and fresh was strung out way too long and became boring and trite.
  • The Measure

    5
    By donnayam
    The writing was excellent. Easy read. The book was thought provoking with private relevance. Loved the ending
  • The Measure

    5
    By Booklove2
    The Measure is an incredible and thought provoking book! I couldn’t put it down and I’m sure it will stay with me forever!
  • A great page-turner

    5
    By karencita21
    Smart and heart warming, a great antidote for our contemporary times… the story, and stories within, stir up curiosity, introspection, and optimism.
  • Intriguing plot

    4
    By rmmgalv
    The first half of the book captured my attention, interesting plot, good character development, intrigue. The second half dragged a bit as the character’s stories came together. Good messages and sweet ending, I recommend this as a good read.