The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day
The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day
Nosy Crow Ltd
ISBN 9781788000291
How do you know you really exist? It's Maisie's birthday and she can't wait to open her presents. She's hoping for the things she needs to build her own nuclear reactor. But she wakes to an empty house and outside the front door is nothing but a terrifying, all-consuming blackness. Trapped in an ever-shifting reality, Maisie knows that she will have to use the laws of the universe and the love of her family to survive. And even that might not be enough... A mind-bending mystery for anyone who's ever asked questions. From the author of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright and The Jamie Drake Equation. Cover illustration by Matt Saunders.
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The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day
Review
Science is 'in' at the moment. Just look at the success of Big Bang Theory or the growing demand for sci-fi media to prove that. Yet with the explosion of science in the mainstream media, there has until recently been a gap in the children's fiction market for science-based stories. Step forward Christopher Edge.
In previous books, Edge has introduced young readers to quantum physics and parallel universes (The Many Worlds Of Albie Bright) and space travel (The Jamie Drake Equation). In his latest novel, Edge attempts his most daring book yet.
Maisie is an academically gifted child who is already studying for a degree by the time of her tenth birthday. The book tells the story of that birthday through a dual narrative. The first presents her birthday as you would expect. The second, however, traps Maisie in an alternative reality. She wakes on her birthday to find an empty house, outside of which is a never-ending darkness. Trapped in this alternative-reality, Maisie uses her knowledge of the laws of physics to try to save herself.
Being a bit of a science geek, this book was right up my street. Once again, Edge manages to seamlessly combine a strong narrative with complex science and believable characters. This creates a storyline which will hook and intrigue many a reader. Similarly, as with Edge's other work, there is a strong feeling of family creating an emotional attachment between characters and reader. Inevitably, this will end up pulling on the reader's heartstrings, especially as the two narratives unravel.
There is no doubt in my mind that this is a book that will appeal to a whole spectrum of audiences. Children will devour it, teachers should use it to inspire young scientists, and I'm about to re-read it!
176 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Matt Davies, teacher.
Reviewed by: Matt Davies
The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day
Review
On the morning of 'academically gifted' Maisie Day's 10th birthday her world(s) change forever. She discovers her whole family gone and the entire world outside her front door has disappeared into total blackness. Or has it? It seems life may be made of more than one reality.
This is such a clever and thought-provoking story that layers science and the laws of quantum physics with the very human and emotional story of a frightened young girl. The relationship and sibling rivalry between (clever beyond her years) Maisie and her resentful older sister are a key and relatable thread in the story as Maisie catapults from reality to differing reality.
Christopher Edge interweaves his quantum physics explanations so naturally within the story, through Maisie's voice, that they never feel forced or beyond the reader. Certainly, I did sometimes need to pause and re-read at points but this felt like part of the flow of responding to the book rather than this stopping me from enjoying it.
The description of the blackness that gradually devours Maisie's home are skillfully written so you can visualize the horrifying emptiness Maisie is existing in. She is wonderfully written as both a scientist trying to make logical sense of what is happening, and as a frightened 10 year old alone and desperately needing her family.
The chapter openings and endings are cleverly written to leave the reader in suspense at which reality Maisie will be in at every turn. The last chapters, as the story of Maisie and her sister finally unfolds, genuinely had my heart in my mouth, a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. As well as ever-growing questions about infinite lives and parallel universes that I never knew I had! So much so that I immediately picked up another of Christopher Edge`s books to read.
176 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Jennifer Caddick
