The End We Start From

by Megan Hunter
The End We Start From cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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  • ID: 1171
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9781509839117
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2017-05-18
  • Formats: 22
  • Reviews: 4

The End We Start From is a powerful debut novel by Megan Hunter, set in a world where London is submerged by floodwaters. The story begins with a woman giving birth just as the city is becoming uninhabitable. As the waters rise, she and her newborn child are forced to flee, embarking on a dangerous journey north in search of safety. The novel explores themes of survival, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of environmental catastrophe. Hunter's prose is haunting and beautiful, drawing comparisons to the works of Virginia Woolf. The novel has been praised for its originality and emotional depth, with critics noting its ability to evoke a sense of both dread and hope. The End We Start From is a dystopian vision that feels eerily familiar, making it a compelling and timely read.

Reviews
The Gloss Book Club · Sarah Ryan · 2025-09-27
moving 5.00

The book is a quiet but deeply moving reflection on life after an environmental disaster. The reviewer found it to be a profound and poignant exploration of family and survival.

Sarah Ryan describes 'The End We Start From' as a quiet yet deeply moving novel. She highlights how the book offers a profound reflection on life in the aftermath of an environmental disaster. The reviewer particularly appreciates the way Hunter portrays the resilience of the human spirit and the bonds of family in the face of adversity. Ryan finds the narrative to be both haunting and hopeful, making it a standout piece of dystopian fiction.

Quick quotes

    A quiet but deeply moving reflection on life

    The unnamed narrator, along with her family, navigates a world altered by climate change

    A profound and poignant exploration of family and survival

Kinesiologic · 2022-02-05
disappointing 2.00

The reviewer found the book disappointing, feeling that it lived up to its pretty cover and words but lacked substance. They expected more depth and engagement from the narrative.

The reviewer went into 'The End We Start From' with high expectations, drawn in by its beautiful cover and lyrical prose. However, they left feeling disappointed. They felt that the book, while aesthetically pleasing, lacked the substance and depth they were hoping for. The reviewer expresses a sense of letdown, suggesting that the narrative did not fully deliver on its promise.

Quick quotes

    Pretty cover. Pretty words.

    I went into The End We Start From pretty blind; and left pretty disappointed.

    Lacked the substance and depth

Book Reporter · 2018-09-18
compelling 3.50

The environmental crisis depicted is compelling and horrific, with a true toll that resonates deeply. The book's poetic language and sparse style effectively convey the stark reality of the situation.

The review highlights the environmental crisis as a compelling and horrific backdrop for the story. The book's poetic language and sparse style are noted as effective tools in conveying the stark reality of the situation. The reviewer appreciates the way the author uses minimalism to create a powerful narrative that lingers with the reader. They also mention that the book's themes of motherhood and survival are beautifully intertwined with the environmental disaster, making it a deeply moving read.

Quick quotes

    Certainly the environmental crisis that propels the action in Hunter's debut is compelling and horrific, even/especially since its true toll is ...

    The book's poetic language and sparse style effectively convey the stark reality of the situation.

    The themes of motherhood and survival are beautifully intertwined with the environmental disaster.

The Guardian · 2017-05-19
engaging 4.00

The book is an effective and unusual debut that keeps the reader engaged, but the reviewer hopes for more depth in future works. The narrative is gripping and maintains a strong hold on the reader's attention.

The reviewer found 'The End We Start From' to be a compelling and unique debut novel. They appreciated the way it kept them pinned to the page, highlighting its effectiveness in maintaining suspense and interest. However, they also expressed a desire to see more depth and development in Hunter's future works, suggesting that while this book is strong, there is room for even greater ambition and exploration.

Quick quotes

    An effective, unusual and ambitious debut

    Keeps the reader pinned to the page

    Next time I'd love to see more depth and development

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