Moths: A chilling dystopian thriller and a must-read debut for 2021

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I wanted an older protagonist – one without heroic aspirations. Mary has seen a lot, and her attitude towards the world is pragmatic. As the narrator, she is able to give both perspectives – the old world and the new. Also, it takes a great deal of consideration before she will risk her safety and her secrets. I liked the idea of a reluctant, cautious hero rather than a main character who is desperate to charge into battle. There are so many great themes explored in this book, including of course who gets to control things in this new world, and why. And then, upon finishing, I was delighted to find that there is a sequel! I definitely need more of this world, and I hope that there can be some semblance of peace found in this dark world.

The gender role reversal in this new world was done subtly but had a big impact as all it did was have the women of the future describe the men how men describe women in this day and age. This stereotyping adds a level of absurdity as it highlights just how ridiculous it is to associate women with certain innate traits, but it is also quite jarring when you realise it feels quite unnatural to read men be described as weak and silly but it doesn’t feel strange reading women be described this way. Add to the fact that these men are staging protests for access to more education, etc, similar to what women had to do in the past to receive basic human rights, but when applied to men it really stands out how wrong and unfair this was. I find, as a woman today, we often accept that we were treated unjustly in the past but often forget how strict and narrow our lives actually were. Putting these same issues on men really makes it stand out how absurd it is to assume one sex is weaker than the other and then use this as a way to control. What I liked most though was how this was dealt with as the men weren’t just dismissed and ignored, they were treated as something that needed protection. This leads to women being the ‘protectors’ and the way they could protect these men was by isolating them and making sure they followed the rules. The way they kept them happy was by indulging them but it becomes clear this is in fact done to control them like men did to women of the past. Sometimes you read dystopian books and whilst the concept may work the execution of life after it seems so extreme that it feels too far fetched but this one kind of makes sense. You have to keep the men safe from being exposed so they have to stay indoors, therefore, women will have to be the gender that runs the world. Truthfully, there were moments where I wanted something faster paced, and almost put this book down permanently. I’m glad I finished the story though. Will I read the second book? Maybe, but only if it sounds like a faster paced read.However, this book focuses more on what has happened many years later. A society run by women, and the few remaining men segregated for their own safety. Or so the Men’s Welfare Agency says, but is there more to the story? The reader will find out. Couldn't stop listening to the audiobook - literally tuning in for 2 minutes every time I made a cup of tea during the work day! Compelling.

This was a slow burn of a read. I was expecting it to be more of a thriller based on the description; men turning wild and violent when exposed to the caterpillar toxin. And personally, I feel part of why this novel feels so brilliant is Mary, the main character. A woman in her seventies, with a family that she practically lost when the outbreak happened, and that still remembers the world before moths changed it. A really empathic person, still working as a career in the facilities where men are secluded.An invigorating debut… ingenious in the way it takes the toxic masculinity theme of The Handmaid’s Tale and flips it on its head.” Set decades after the outbreak, the book follows Mary and Olivia- two women who remember the day it all began. Change the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the “Settings & Account” section. What happens at the end of my trial?