The Herd: the unputdownable, thought-provoking must-read Richard & Judy book club pick

controversial struggle between believers in vaccines and those opposed

The title of this book immediately made me think both of herd immunity on one hand and following the herd on the other. What happens in a close knit social group to someone who chooses their own individual path and doesn’t follow the herd?
The consequences of individual choices drives the plot of this fast paced story with a satisfying end and although we know at the start of the book that something dramatic has occurred it is by no means clear exactly what has happened or who is responsible. It makes for a page turning read.
The central dilemma debated through this story of modern family life in a small community is that of vaccination. All the parents we meet are trying hard to do the best for their children and to cope with the legacies of their own parents’ decisions. It makes for an emotionally engaging story and explores many of the stresses and strains raising a family puts on adult relationships. Perhaps there is no correct course of action, we all make our own mistakes. A group of friends and neighbours is at the heart of the story and, although I found it hard to identify with some of the concerns of the parents, I felt the main characters were realistic and believable, if not always likeable. I had more trouble believing in the affluent middle class community of Farley as it didn’t feel authentic to me, but it did allow the author to represent a wide range of perspectives.
A chorus of court bystanders also contribute their opinions and this could have been a good device, but I didn’t find them sufficiently well described or differentiated to add much to the debate. Only one, a nasty individual expressing their views on social media, had impact for me and this book does explore the power and toxicity of social media in modern life.
The book starts by establishing the nature of a strong female friendship between Elizabeth and Bryony. However the balance between the two characters changes in an unexpected way, as the story develops and I was at times more convinced by the friendship between the fathers than that of the two mothers. Parenting seen through the eyes of fathers is explored sympathetically In the story and I thought this was a positive aspect of the book, making it more engaging and diverse. By the end of the book all the characters are changed by their traumatic experiences and the consequences of the choices they have made. Life will be different, but possibly better.
The book would make for a very good book group discussion as it presents a variety of different viewpoints and raises a number of moral dilemmas
which would resonate differently with different readers, not least when is a lie not a lie?

As Emily Edwards says in her “Author’s note”, the idea for this book first sparked in 2018 when she was pregnant with her first son. The idea was for a story centred on the MMR vaccine and the choices confronting parents and the implications of those choices for everyone. Now by publication in 2022 the issue of vaccines and choice around vaccines is a hugely relevant one.

The books is essentially an “issues” book. As such, I think, it explores those issues very thoroughly, both in the development of the story in the context of the relationship between the two main characters, Elizabeth and Bryony, and their families and their community and also in the parts played by a number of different characters observing outside the court.

However, I think the novel achieves much more than that. With well-developed characters, it is emotionally involving and quite a page turner as the tension builds. A very satisfying read and one that would provide good material for book group discussion. - Ex Libris Book Club member

Wow! What an amazing book. Bet Emily Edwards almost couldn’t believe her luck with the topical timing of such a subject!

Loveable characters were well developed. Cleverly constructed to show everyone’s viewpoint to this controversial topic developing over the story, with each of their history and reasons for their choice explained. It kept me guessing until the end what the outcome would be, although it had crossed my mind but then I’d dismissed it!

Certainly made me, an ardent pro-vaccine person, actually stop and consider the reasons behind some people’s anti-vaccination decisions. The personal choice and emotions involved were well explored, while at no point scaremongering or giving false information. The author had obviously done her research very well.

It certainly will cause a lot of discussion about a very currently relevant, and extremely emotive topic. Definitely recommended - in fact already have!

A very thought provoking and cleverly constructed book full of credible characters, facing real-life dilemmas and each with a back-story that gradually emerges as the book progresses and helps explain their attitudes, behaviours and decisions, but with understanding and compassion. There is at the same time the message that actions or inactions have consequences, even if the decisions taken are for valid and understandable reasons. The publication of the book was timely during the Covid pandemic, but focused instead on the measles vaccination specifically but covered all the arguments for and against wider vaccination and expertly dealt with the difficult choices faced by parents coupled with their instinct to protect and safeguard their children at all costs. All the time the reader is challenged with the question 'in their position what would you do.....?'. The book also deals with the wider challenges of parenting and modern-day life including money, employment, class, friendship and social life/status. Highly recommended.

I thoroughly was into this book, hook line and sinker.
I didn’t understand exactly how this was going to pan out for me as it was close to what’s happening in the U.K. at the moment with “herding” as regards to jabs/vaccines and Covid.
Except this is MMR and how many parents were scared or ignorant or didn’t want the MMR for their babies for all sorts of reasons.

The fictional families could have been so true to events it was unreal. I could just see the dilemma that many parents experienced. I was one of them. My choices weren’t what some had chosen to do within the pages if this book.

It also shows us….be honest.
It also shows us on how relationships and friendships are fragile and how us parents want what’s best for our child even if others choices are different they still have the same love, the same protectiveness over their child/children as you yourself does.

I got well and truly into this story. Focusing around the main two characters (mothers /friends) and could definitely see both sides.
Each one desperately living their offspring. Mistakes easily made having a domino effect on another with consequences unforgivable. And, unfortunate. But with well meaning at that time.

An engrossing captivating storyline that will truly having you question things.

I’m definitely keeping this author on my radar.