Vivian Apple at the End of the World

Starred review from October 20, 2014
Level-headed straight-A student Vivian Apple and her wild best friend Harp are among those left behind after thousands of believers in the evangelical Church of America are “Raptured,” exactly as prophesied by the church’s founder, Beaton Frick. After receiving a mysterious phone call from California, the girls, wondering if their vanished parents might still be alive, drive cross-country in search of the truth behind the church, whose popularity has skyrocketed in the wake of national tragedies. Along for the ride is cute but cagey Peter, who knows more about the organization’s inner workings than he’s letting on. Coyle imagines an America in which politics, capitalism, and entertainment, and religion have combined to create a culture of intolerance and judgment that doesn’t end with the Rapture. The result is a scathing commentary on contemporary religiosity and fear-mongering in the face of the unknown, as well as the extent to which we surrender ourselves to interests that are not our own. Skillful plot twists, mordant humor, and careful characterizations make this a memorable coming-of-age story and a noteworthy debut. Ages 14–up. Agent: Sarah Burnes, Gernert Company.

Narrator Julia Whelan narrates this chilling account of a teen member of the evangelical Church of America at a time when widespread disasters have ravaged the country. Whelan depicts 16-year-old Vivian Apple's dread as she counts down the minutes to Rapture day. With sharp wit and momentary abandon, Vivian escapes her good-girl image to party with her wild, impetuous BFF, Harp. Everything changes when Vivian discovers two human-sized holes in her parents' bedroom, which indicate that her Believer parents have ascended. Whelan emphasizes the twists in Vivian's daring journey to discover the truths behind the sexist, rigid cult of the church. The fast-paced story includes intelligent irreverent humor. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine