Book Review: ‘The City of Ember’ by Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is a teen post-apocalypse novel.

Knowing humanity was on the brink of destroying itself, the underground city of Ember was built. Surrounded by eternal darkness, Ember’s only light comes from a massive grid of electric light bulbs. With no knowledge of the world that came before, Ember’s inhabitants were provided with everything they might need to survive – from food to light bulbs to coloured pencils. After hundreds of years those supplies are drastically running out; not that the Mayor wants the population to know.

The City of Ember follows two young teenage protagonists – Lina and Doon. Lina is a messenger and is privy to the gossip and comings and goings of the city. Doon is a pipeworks labourer and is desperate to stop the blackouts plaguing the aging city. Both characters are likeable and independent with their actions continually helping to progress the plot.

I was first introduced to the world of The City of Ember through the film of the same name when I was a teenager. I actually didn’t realise the film was an adaptation until years later. It took me a while but I was excited when I finally tracked down a copy of DuPrau’s book. I wasn’t surprised to find that the film had made DuDrau’s ending more dramatic for the big screen however I loved finding all of the extra details included in the novel. Its clear DuPrau had planned the geography of Ember before writing her book as the reader is treated to all of the street names and locations Lina visits. These little details give the story depth and makes Ember feel like a real breathing city.

It is rare to find a dystopian/post-apocalypse story with young teens as the intended readers. I think DuPrau does well by included the right amount of peril to keep the story interesting but not too much that would no longer be suitable for those readers. There is also the fascinating and unique world of Ember that completed captured my imagination and I’m sure it will of younger readers too.

The one issue I have with the story is the ages of Lina and Doon. Aimed at younger readers, Lina and Doon are only twelve years old. While this choice makes sense neither character talks or acts like a young teenager; in fact I kept forgetting this point while I was reading. I think it would have made more sense for Lina and Doon to be between fifteen and eighteen years old based on their maturity levels displayed in the book.

Due to the book’s younger age demographic the story will not appeal to everyone however the world of Ember itself is a brilliant concept and one I enjoyed exploring.

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