This is a very unusual book which cannot be slotted into a specific genre. It’s feminist literature, with elements of science-fiction, and at it’s core, it’s an exploration of loneliness, identity and isolation.
The earliest memories of the woman at the centre of the story start in a secluded underground jail-like cell, where she is a young girl incarcerated with 39 older women. She has never met a man, and she is raised by the other women. The women in the shelter are afraid and strict, believing the outside world is dangerous. Over time, the main character starts to question everything she has been taught, and wonders what life is like outside.
One day, her world changes when the sirens go off, and the shelter is left unguarded. The main character and a few other women decide to leave and explore the outside world. They walk out as a group, and over the course of several years, they explore the world around them. They encounter new experiences, and discover several strange new things.
Throughout these explorations, they come across several other cells, with both men and women, filled with long dead residents. Their own numbers dwindle, leaving the protagonist as the last member alive of the group, and possibly, the world.
In her journey, the main character learns about love, freedom, and the complexity of human relationships. This discovery leads her to reflect on her own identity and what it means to be a person in a broader world. The key theme highlighted in her solitary reflections is the importance of connecting with others. An excellent and though-provoking read.