The book begins really very strong: The 10-year Melanie lives locked up in a cell in a bunker. She is bound and gagged by armed soldiers brought into a classroom and with others every morning - teaching children - also shackled. This enigmatic, disquieting initial situation intrigued me, and I was incredibly curious about the backgrounds. What could make young children so dangerous that adult men only approach them armed?
After about one hundred pages you get a (first gross) explanation for Melanie's life and their environment. After the very high expectations that I had of the story because the first few pages, I was quite disappointed that statement - the idea gave me did not like. Had I known in advance that there is "this kind" of story, I would have not bought the book only. (To avoid spoilers, I renounce details.) After the previously read pages I was already so deep in the book that I still continue to read tense.
The story takes place in the not too distant future in England and is pretty exciting. Some of the scenes described are scary and a bit scary. Through the familiar environment (Greater London), the horror / scary elements of this dystopia easier to imagine, especially since the (pseudo-) at least does not sound scientific explanation for it completely absurd. A large part of the novel contest a total of only five characters: Melanie, one of her teachers, a scientist and two soldiers. There are very different characters who have nothing in the bunker have apart from their time together. Everyone struggles with his own demons, each pursuing its own goals. Only gradually can learn more about her past. The interplay of the individual figures, alternately with and against each I liked and has contributed significantly to the tension.
Linguistically, I found "The Girl with all the Gifts" succeeded pronounced. Mr Carey is a really good storyteller. He manages to make people and situations to life, without being too wordy and detailed. (By the way, I was convinced throughout the reading that MR Carey is a woman. Google has taught me in retrospect better.)
An exciting, well-written book. Although I am not a fan of horror stories (and especially the phenomenon discussed here), I found it well worth reading.
