The Measure

By: Nikki Erlick

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

‘GRIPPING AND POIGNANT’ RUTH HOGAN, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things

‘CLEVER AND ENTERTAINING’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

‘A THOUGHT-PROVOKING READ’ PRIMA

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like just another morning.

Around the world, people wake up, check the news, open the front door.

On every doorstep is a box. Inside that box is the exact number of years that person has left to live.

Whether they open it or hide it under their bed, each person must learn to live in this new world: a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush their life together, a doctor who cannot save himself from his own fate, best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything…

Enchanting and deeply uplifting, The Measure is a sweeping, ambitious and invigorating story about family, friendship, hope and destiny that encourages us to live life to the fullest.

‘EXAMINES THE BIG LIFE AND DEATH QUESTIONS IN A CLEVER AND, DARE WE SAY IT, ENTERTAINING WAY’ WOMAN & HOME

‘INTRIGUING’ WOMAN’S WEEKLY

‘LIFE-AFFIRMING’ CHRISTINA DALCHER, bestselling author of Vox

‘DESPITE ITS CHILLING PREMISE, ERLICK’S NOVEL IS AN ESCAPE FROM — RATHER THAN A WINDOW INTO — OUR OWN TERRIFYING REALITY’ NEW YORK TIMES

‘COMPELLING AND HEART-BREAKING’ Bridget Collins, bestselling author of The Binding

'A SHARP LENS FOR REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS' DAILY MAIL

‘A HEARTFELT PARABLE FOR OUR OWN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES’ Laurie Frankel, bestselling author of One Two Three

‘BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED AND HUGELY IMAGINATIVE’ Claire North

‘BRILLIANT – I COULDN’T STOP READING’ Christina Sweeney-Baird

‘UTTERLY ORIGINAL AND WONDERFULLY MYSTERIOUS’ Jessica Anya Blau, author of Mary Jane

‘HUGELY COMPELLING’ Freya Sampson, author of The Last Chance Library

‘AN IRRESISTIBLE HOOK AND A STRONG EMOTIONAL HEART’ Luke Allnutt, author of We Own the Sky

Critic reviews

‘The Measure is a fantastic first outing for Nikki Erlick. […] It’s a timely, page-turning triumph and I can’t recommend it enough’ LoveReading

‘A sharp lens for real-world problems’ Daily Mail

‘Perfect for book clubs… equal parts charming and thought-provoking. It takes a philosophical question – what if everybody on earth knew exactly how long they had left to live? – and explores, with compassion and pragmatism, how the implications would trickle down into… modern life, from politics to intimacy’ Marie Claire

‘Utterly original and wonderfully mysterious. Through Erlick's deft prose and clever logic, I threw away all disbelief and fully plunged into the unsettling but life-affirming world she creates’ Jessica Anya Blau, author of Mary Jane

‘The Measure is exactly what our world needs right now’
Christina Dalcher, bestselling author of Vox

‘[a] hugely compelling story, which drew me in from the very first page with its beautiful writing. Weeks after reading it, I'm still thinking about this smart, uplifting novel and its wonderful characters’ Freya Sampson, author of The Last Chance Library

‘The Measure has a strong emotional heart with an array of characters exploring their frightening, but sometimes beautiful new worlds. Ultimately, [it] is about the power of human resilience’ Luke Allnutt, author of We Own the Sky

‘A brilliant concept cleverly executed. I couldn’t stop reading’ Christina Sweeney-Baird, author of The End of Men

‘What an incredible book! … beautifully executed’ Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things

‘A compelling, heart-breaking story of life and love with a perfect, elegant premise’ Bridget Collins, bestselling author of The Binding

‘This novel examines the big life and death questions in a clever and, dare I say it, entertaining way’ Woman & Home

‘Intriguing novel’ Women’s Weekly’s best pick

Excellent narration

This was an intriguing concept resulting in an enjoyable story. I enjoyed the characters and the story structure.

Fabulous story

Loved this book, such an original story, I hung on every word. Was sad to finish it, the characters were so real

Thought provoking but light

The tale is told from the perspective of eight people, whose lives intertwine in both expected and unexpected ways after a world wide life altering event. There is a sort of dystopian theme, which highlights the manipulative and malicious nature of humans, as well as the beauty and love of it. Overall - the book remains fairly light hearted (if the theme of it is taken into account). There are a few twists here and there but somewhat connectable. All the stories ends are tied up neatly. It is a thought provoking book, and truly a great conversation starter. Perfect for book club. It does force one to evaluate your own thoughts and ideas on fate and humanity. Really the worst part of this audiobook is the downright awful South African accent the narrator attempted to deliver - luckily it only lasts a minute or so. Overall I'd rate it 4.5/5.

Excellent

Interesting concept and very well delivered - thought provoking without being cliche or cloying in sentiment - timely themes

The first half was great.

The idea was good and it kept me interested until things turned syrupy midway through.