Review: The Carhullan Army

Title: The Carhullan Army
Author: Sarah Hall
Publication: 2007
Rating: 3.5 Stars

The entire societal and govermental structure of England has collapsed. In the city of Rith, the Authority is in control of everything - where you live, where you work, when you may have children. And no one is allowed to leave Rith.

However, “Sister,” the protagonist of the novel, decides to escape to Carhullan Farm, an all-women commune in the northern hills of Cumbria. She has been fascinated by Carhullan since before the end of the world, so she is thrilled when she is accepted into their society. “Sister” soon learns, though, that Carhullan is not the utopia she imagined it to be.

“The Carhullan Army” is a very well written book. Hall depicts a believable scenario and writes with a tightly controlled and perfectly paced narrative. It’s a thought provoking work that could provide for hours of discussion. My only complaint is that it seems to mimic “The Handmaid’s Tale” just a bit too much, and the whole Girl Power thing comes off too strongly at times.