The book did make me try to see both sides of the argument whilst retaining a clear sense of what's scientifically proven and what's not. Neither woman is likeable. At different times we side with each of them. I did feel a bit of sympathy for the husbands - one more than the other - but on the whole, this is a tale about privileged middle-class people and their lifestyle choices and the impact of those choices on others. What's often positioned as "My child, my choice" is quite clearly ignoring that not every child or parent has the right to exercise that choice. Bry and Elizabeth. Lifelong friends who can read each other’s emotions by body language alone. So close that each knows what the other is thinking without needing to say a word. What could possibly shatter their bond? But just because they are close doesn’t mean that they always have to agree. Ex-solicitor Elizabeth controls her family, three children and husband, with an iron fist. Campaigning for the community and working for the benefit of others while Bry is a free spirit. Raising her daughter in what Elizabeth would call a haphazard way. Godmothers to each other’s girls, the women are always there for each other but one small decision, an apparently minor lie, will change all that forever.... Read Full Review Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined.

When something terrible happens to Elizabeth's daughter, she is hot on the trail of somebody to blame. Now isn't that a very 21st century approach? The couples end up in court fighting over culpability. To be crystal clear, however-- it does shut down the faux-scientific claims of anti-vaxxers over the course of the novel, but it is not unsympathetic to those parents who refuse vaccines out of ignorance and fear for their children. As the author states in the foreword, these parents are just trying their best to get it right for their child. The foreword also brings up the timeliness of the novel given COVID, though it was being written before that and is not about any of the issues unique to COVID and its vaccines. I liked it. I liked how it didn't feel preachy or didactic. One thing I didn't love was the character of Rosalyn because I did not understand why she had no purpose other than to randomly pop up and offer magical hippie wisdom. Also, all the characters were middle to upper middle class, which is typical of anti-vaxxers, and white, which I honestly don't know if that's typical of anti-vaxxers or not. A real-life thriller about a nation in crisis, and the controversial decisions its leaders made during the COVID-19 pandemic.A white lie told just before Elizabeth’s young daughters birthday party takes an unimaginable turn. Even though there are opinions in the book it is pretty much 50/50 so if you are wary its going to be anti or pro vax then don’t be, it genuinely seeks to offer both sides of the arguement, morally and otherwise based around the story told, I liked it was so impartial and the author chose not to add her feelings/views into the story ( as quite a few tend to on various topics nowadays ) bravo to her on that front It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue ― Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HERE A masterpiece of emotional nuance, this novel makes you think. It challenges pre-conceived attitudes and beliefs and it turns your heart upside down and inside out.

I loved this book it was very thought provoking with a relevant topic that kept me fully engaged throughout. Emily Edwards has effectively and compassionately raised awareness for not just one side of this 'debate', but both which I will always say is an extremely hard concept to master. Her writing is simple yet intellectual which fit perfectly for me as this was the first novel I had ever read around this topic. I am yet to be a parent so I can only imagine what lengths a parent would go to to lessen that overwhelming sense to protect their child. As the story unfolded I found myself empathising with both Bry and Elizabeth because at the end of the day, they both wanted to do the same thing which was to do what they saw as the best way to give their child the protection all parents want to give. The characters were strong and well executed and the research meticulous. The balance the author gives to both sides of the story is just perfect. The court case wrapped up with a great twist I didn’t see coming.Elizabeth and Bryony have two completely different personalities. Elizabeth's daughter has an illness which means she should not be vaccinated and her parents have to rely on the herd immunity around them to keep Clementine safe. Elizabeth is quite vocal on the importance of being vaccinated. Bryony doesn't trust vaccines, so her daughter has not been vaccinated. This is quite relevant tp the current situation with covid. It's also quite an emotional read. This is a well written book that debates for and against vaccines. And after a few days of reading I could see why the characters in this book would seem familiar to anyone you might have an elizabeth living next door to you.

You can feel the tension and the heartbreak, the madness and the pain as Bry and Elizabeth battle a dilemma, to vaccinate their girls or not. And in pursuing their own individual wars precious things are lost. The only way forward in the end is to have the courage to dip the paintbrush in the water, to swirl the bristles and clear the the murky brown to decide which bright, bold colour to paint the beginnings of a new picture. Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined . . . It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issu Recommended Reads about Race, Racism, and Demarginalizing History - Necessary Non-fiction You Should Read for Life-changing Insights and Impact My only issue with this novel was that I really struggled to connect with both Bryony and Elizabeth. I just found their choices and actions difficult to understand at times. That being said, I fell completely in love with Emily Edwards descriptions of children at play. I have never read anything with so much accuracy before, it made the characters of Alba and Clemmie so vivid in my mind. You could absolutely tell that the author is a mother herself. The vulnerability and innocence warmed my heart completely. This is a book unlike anything I’ve ever read before, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.The characters are well developed, and various people around the court case balance either side of the argument. I connected to all four main characters and could empathise with them easily. The book is essentially a discussion over whether to vaccinate or not; it’s well written and an encompassing read which you won’t want to put down. This doesn’t conclude on either side of the argument but instead presents a well-researched view on both sides. This is like a Jodi Picoult novel, courageous discussing controversial subjects. It also worked through some of the myths surrounding MMR and autism. 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. In terms of the narrative, the book doesn't take a strong stance either way and I understand why that might be the preferred way to write this. After all, taking a strong stance, either way, would have created some real fallout However, I also think this was a bit of a cop-out considering how divisive the topic is. Emily Edwards has taken a relevant topic and written a book that sits on the fence. I just don't really see the point in it. It doesn't even add much to the conversation. Instead, The Herd just regurgitates the different arguments and does nothing with them. In the end, this book starts slowly and has a weak ending. There was a lot of pressure on the stuff in the middle to hold it together.

It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue. ' Jodi Picoult A witty and heartfelt look at a family falling apart – and pulling together – when life doesn't turn out quite the way they imagined. Joint Winner of the Critics' Circle Most Promising Playwright Award, 2013. I found this to be a very well written, researched story. I would recommend it to fans of Jodi Picoult. Hmmmm, I almost didn’t read this when saw the blurb and realised it was all about vaccines and the title ‘The Herd’ related to herd immunity ( lesson learnt re reading blurb although It probably isen’t!) even more turned off when reading the authors info at the beginning it mentioned having a chat to her ‘doula’ had inspired the book ( google doula if not heard of them ) but an author friend who had read it convinced me to give it a go and all told am pleased did At the outset it reminded me a little of The Slap, so much so that I read it in my head in an Australian accent, though it’s set in England. As the story progressed, I found myself losing patience with it.

It's clever. It's less manipulative than I expected, but somehow a book about vaccination that ISN'T about Covid getting released in the middle of a global pandemic already feels a bit like it's missing the zeitgeist. Interesting ideas, different perspectives, and quite a good pace all make this well worth a read. I love a book that not only grips me and makes me think but also educates me. The Herd reminded me a little of Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things, because the research was meticulous and unbiased, the topic of whether to vaccinate was fair and balanced and above all I felt I was learning so much whilst reading the book. This book is extremely thought provoking and definitely one that is bound to spark up a wide range of debates. The publication of this book is very timely as it could be said to have a correlation with the current COVID vaccine debate we are all experiencing. I loved this book. It put me through the emotional wringer. A genuine rollercoaster that asks big moral questions with beautifully drawn characters who left me in tears but also full of hope - Sharon Horgan