The Laws of the Skies: Winnie The Pooh Meets The Blair Witch
If you're a fan of dark, unsettling tales, The Laws of the Skies by Gregoire Courtois might be right up your alley. But before diving in, there is a serious content warning for this book. There is violence towards children and done by children, so if that's something you know you can't handle, it's best to skip this one.
The story follows a class of twelve six-year-olds on a weekend camping trip with their teacher and a few chaperones. They aren't going deep into the woods, but to a small campground used every weekend for different education groups for young students to learn about and appreciate nature. However, things quickly go wrong, and the children find themselves in a dangerous situation, forced to fend for themselves.
The narrative does an excellent job of conveying dread and hopelessness, and it's written so beautifully that it's hard to put the book down. The story introduces us to a class full of kids and gets us to care about them quickly, so when things start to go downhill, we're already invested in their struggle. The length of the book is perfect for the subject matter, and the author's writing style makes it easy to read, so you might finish it in one or two sittings.
The book explores some interesting ideas and themes, including nihilism and hopelessness. The narrative shows how quickly and indiscriminately things can end, especially young lives being cut short before they've even had a chance to experience life. We see this through the eyes of a child who's trying to comprehend what's happening in real-time. The story also touches on themes of abuse, both physical and psychological, and the effect it has on a developing mind.
The book has some brutal and violent passages that don't shy away from the details, but it's still compelling to read. Even though nothing supernatural or paranormal happens, the author manages to create a sense of dark surrealism. It feels like the characters are miles away from civilization, despite being in a frequently used and well-maintained camping area laid out in a grid within walking distance of a road. This comparison to how the world can seem so big and dangerous from a child's perspective is both poignant and unsettling.
The more exciting and action-packed sequences use what I like to call "parallel action." The focus shifts between two or three parties going through an intense situation, and this is done seamlessly, making the danger and action fly off the pages.
In conclusion, The Laws of the Skies is a beautifully written, albeit bleak and horrific book that explores themes of nihilism and hopelessness. The story is compelling, and the characters are well developed, making it easy to care about their struggle. However, the violence towards children and done by children might be too much for some readers. If you think you can handle it, then give this book a read.