SAND Omnibus Edition

In a postapocalyptic world in which the earth is covered with sand, life is hard. Karen Chilton reflects that sparseness in her narration. The main characters are four siblings. As a diver, their father searches under the surface of the sand for artifacts that help people survive in this harsh world. When he leaves, his family struggles to survive as the mother, struggling to earn a living, grows increasingly withdrawn from her children. Chilton portrays the relationships between the characters, drawing upon moments of tenderness and bringing out tension and conflict between them. She avoids getting mired in the struggle and allows glimpses of hope to shine through. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2014]