Out Of Nowhere by Gerard Whelan

[Nollaig]

Sorry this is so long, but it's a brilliant book I really wanted to capture wholly, and I doubt anyone here has ever heard of it!

 

 

 

Out Of Nowhere

(1999)

 

Synopsis:

A boy wakes up in bed in a room built of stone. He knows his name is Stephen, but he can remember nothing else about himself. He discovers that he's in a remote monastery being looked after by a group of monks. Beyond the monastery walls, all traces of human life have simply disappeared. Villages deserted, doors left open, with taps left running, but no people. And with all means of communication down, he has no way of knowing if the rest of the world has disappeared too.

Then the visitors arrive, strange men with unnatural powers, and when he discovers who they really are it turns his whole world inside out and changes everything he ever believed.

 

General Ramble: Out Of Nowhere is a mix of everything, bit of sci-fi, bit of fantasy, bit of horror, bit of suspence. It defies categorisation in a sense, but essentially if you're a fan of Lovecraft or movies like "28 Days Later" - this is the book for you. It's more psychological, more brutally honest and more disdainful of humans than your average Young Adult book, and so has a depth of suggestion that will appeal to older readers. Well written, easy to read, hilarious in parts and frightening real in others, this novel is a fantastic offering from an award-winning Irish author.

 

In-Depth Ramble: Out Of Nowhere is a "28-days-later" style young adult novel, only arguably with a better plot. From the outset there is a complete lack of awareness regarding the goings on in the outside world - like the children Stephen and Kirsten the reader knows only that something is not quite right. Being set in an abbey in western Ireland, despite the year being 1999, is disorientating temporally, which greatly compliments the unreality of the apparent new world these people find themselves in. The novel does demand placement in the 'fantasy' genre for it's apparent 'supernatural' elements, but more than anything it reflects a genuinely unsettling Lovecraftian distortion of our own world. There is a sense of the familiar being tinged with things that just aren't quite as they should be (and which have no obvious explanation). This is far more psychologically troubling than the average horror or a typical fantasy would usually try to achieve. Perhaps the best example (and my favourite!) of this is the recurrent appearance of the two children's doppelgangers. While they are harmless in this novel, doppelgangers have a (literary) history of psychologically disturbing as opposed to than physically harming, and this level of fear is very much the level the book works on.

 

The characters are not the strong point of the book. They play certain roles at best - and many of the monks are more likeable than the two main characters. However, it's very much a plot-driven book, built on suspence.The characters become an extension of the reader, for the purpose of exploring this strange new world (for seeking out new life, and new civilisations?), for gaining insights into other races, other existences. At the same time, the monks are strongly (although one-dimensionally) characterised which works favourably as the story progresses. Some monks are religious, and believe devils are responsible. The secret history of the ex-'freedom-fighter' monk Philip, upon revelation, rings disturbingly true; it brings a distinct reality to the violence in human nature, which then contrasts with the necessary work of the 'unnatural' Agents, the Fix-It Men. In Simon a philosopher is seen, and his role of questioning adds another layer towards the end of the book when explanations are required - Simon mentions Plato but a certain delightful existentialism seems to eminate from the Fix-It Men.

 

The structuring of the novel is superb. The writing is straight-forward and each chapter is short. In terms of narrative, it's mostly third person (when referring to the people) and first person (from the perspective of the other-worldly, murderous 'agents'). This draws the reader's sympathies towards the supernatural races, thus forcing an objective and unfavourable view of humans. Whelan has natural wit and avails of sarcastic humor throughout, which reflects mainly on the state of the modern world. While this book is intended for young adult readers, older readers will appreciate these subtle remarks - particularly Irish readers. Probably the most beneficial structural element is the division of the book into three parts - one of which deals with how the world is responding to this phenomenon. The author, having already written two young adult books about the political state of early 1900's Ireland, doesn't miss an opportunity to ground his fantastical story in the real world. He involves the international political uproar regarding the occurence, suggesting in a rather humorous manner how the world might deal with such an incredible event.

 

If this book can be said to have any fault, it is that it is too short. Perhaps this is my own personal criticism, because reading it as a child, it seemed much longer. It is only 240 pages, and while it is a well rounded, and certainly complete story, it does touch upon a whole history unbeknownst to humans. The novel could easily have made a full blown horror/science fiction masterpiece with the concepts (and another 200 pages) fuelling it, but that is not to say it is not superb in and of itself. The ending piles more onto the reader than the previous 180 pages, and while it just about gets away with the complete shift in atmosphere, it does seem to emphasize it's own failing by just not adding more depth to the explanation. YA books are YA books though, and I can't deny that as a YA myself I thought this book was pure genius - and I'm more grateful that ten years on it still packs a punch.

 

Rating: 9/10

Edited April 18, 2009 by Nollaig

[Chrissy]

I've just ordered this Roxi, as I think my son and I would both enjoy it (I'm going to be reading it first though!).

[TwistedVamp83]

This book sounds Fantastic , I'm putting it on my Amazon Wish list !!!

Thanks

[Chrissy]

I've just bought a new copy (incl postage) for

[Nollaig]

I've just ordered this Roxi, as I think my son and I would both enjoy it (I'm going to be reading it first though!).

 

Oh lovely! How old is your son, might I ask?

 

The given age group is actually 9-11, I was at least 11 or 12 when I read it, but I certainly didn't know who the Nazis or Plato were (both very vaugely mentioned) and while a child can follow the facts at the end, it does deal with interesting moral, ethical and philosophical ideas. (Maybe I'm applying too much to it, but the author is highly intelligent and critical of the human race, so it wouldn't surprise me.) It really is suitable for both children and adults alike!

 

I've just bought a new copy (incl postage) for

Edited April 17, 2009 by Nollaig

[Chrissy]

23

[Nollaig]

Ahh right he's round my age so. Well, I love it, so hopefully he will too!

[Chrissy]

He bought 28 Day Later (the movie) for me, and I think a short, thought provoking book can be just brilliant to have to hand. Great review Roxi, I'll let you know what I think once it's arrived.

[Mac]

I wish I had read this before I went and spent a Gazillion pounds in Waterstone's, Roxi. *Sighs*

 

It looks great, dammit.

 

Thanks for the cracking spiel, mate.

[Nollaig]

I'm eager to promote his work coz he's Irish But he's brilliant.

 

For anybody who is into politics, Gerard Wheland actually won his awards with his books 'The Guns Of Easter' and 'A Winter Of Spies'. They are, respectively, about a kid called Jimmy Conway during the 1916 Easter Rising here in Ireland, and during the War Of Independance. The second even features a brief meeting with Michael Collins! They're great. Children's books describing the violent and political history of early 1900s here in Ireland.

 

I'll do a full review of both when I purchase them again, but it's been years since I read them so I can't try.

 

Thanks for the enthusiasm!

[Michelle]

I've just ordered it too, it sounds good.

[Nollaig]

Hahah awesome! Gerard, who hasn't written anything in a few years, won't know what's happening!

[Mia]

This does sound interesting! One more for the wishlist.

 

Roxi, you should be asking for a 10% fee for drumming up all this interest!

[Nollaig]

Haha!

 

The very fact that the review has stirred such interest is payment enough!

 

I just hope everyone who buys it, likes it!!!

[Mia]

I hope so too, or there'll be an angry mob with flaming torches beating a path to your door.

[Nollaig]

Only thing I would say, people, is remember that is it a kid's book!! Don't expect a masterpiece of epic proportions!

 

Anyway, anyone who comes to my door with torches HAS NO TASTE!

[Michelle]

I hope so too, or there'll be an angry mob with flaming torches beating a path to your door.

 

Well that's probably true of Mia.. she hasn't spoken to me since she disliked Nation!

[Nollaig]

Michelle won't beat a path to my door, will you Michelle?

[Michelle]

Not with a burning torch, no..

 

I'm going to have to tell myself off in a minute for going off topic!

[Nollaig]

Michelle, could you please remain on topic?

 

Thank you.

 

.....

 

I kid, I totally kid!!!

 

ANYWAY, I'm really looking forward to discussion about this book. It'll be interesting to see how much people do or do not read into it, I read into it more as an adult than as a child, but enjoyed it both ways.

 

Also, the ending is very, very strange.

[Mia]

Well that's probably true of Mia.. she hasn't spoken to me since she disliked Nation!

 

Well, I'm still waiting for my money - I'm sure you said you'd refund my money if I didn't like it. (I might perhaps be mis-remembering that, but I figure it's worth a try.)