I actually first watched the Bird Box movie back when it was released in 2018. I had no idea it was based off a book, so imagine my surprise when I found this cover inside of a Little Library! 😃
To be honest, I did not mind the movie, but I don't think it met the hype that surrounded it. The novel, I feel, offers much more sustenance, is more thought out, and there is an emotional connection with the characters.
The book, therefore, follows the same plot. The protagonist, Malorie, lives in an apocalyptic world where unseen creatures cause people to kill themselves, and others.
"'... it's related to seeing something. ... it's the one constant in all the incidents. That the victims SAW something before attacking people and taking their own lives.'"
Malorie is alone, raising two young children on her own, without the use of their sight, and they have just left their house of 4 years in favor of searching for a better life down the river.
The novel is written in two perspectives: the present, where Malorie and her children are traveling on the river, and the past, from when the creatures first emerged to today.
In the beginning, Malorie lives with her sister, Shannon, where they are keeping tabs on "The Problem": a series of events in which people have inexplicably killed themselves.
"... his friend ... attacked him, removing his lips with his fingernails. Then he took his own life ... using a table saw from the truck bed."
"... a second story appeared ... a mother ... buried her children alive ... before taking her own life with the jagged edges of broken dishes."
At the same time that all of this is happening, Malorie discovers that she is pregnant. The incidents start occurring closer to where the sisters live. They begin covering up windows. The government sets a curfew; no one is to go outside.
Eventually, Shannon accidentally sees the creature...
"Shannon is on the floor ... A pair of scissors sticks out of her chest. Blood surrounds her ... Shannon would never do this willingly. ... Something is out there. ... A piece of wood is all that separates her from what killed her sister. What her sister SAW."
Pregnant and afraid, Malorie sees an ad in the newspaper for a neighborhood sanctuary. She makes it to the house, where she finds five other people (and, shortly afterwards, another pregnant woman arrives). Everyone seems to be in agreement that unseen creatures are causing the devastation.
"'Something LIVING is doing this to us. And it only takes seeing one for a second, maybe less. ... our minds can't understand them. ... Something too complex for us to comprehend.'"
They cannot be viewed on camera either -- that theory was tested...
"'We saw what George had done to himself. He'd pressed so hard against the ropes that they had GONE THROUGH his muscles all the way to the bone. ... no matter what prism you view them through, they'll hurt you.'"
One day, two of the housemates go outside, looking for dogs -- to guide and to guard. They eventually do make it back home, with two Huskies and a box of birds.
"'In the BOX ... are birds. ... Whenever we got close to the box, they got louder. ... An alarm system. ... We're going to hang the box outside. ... We'll be able to hear them in here.'"*
Another time, a man shows up at the house, looking for shelter. The man, Gary, says he had to leave his group because their safety was jeopardized.
"'... the creatures were not to be feared. He referred to the rest of us as "those with small minds" who "needed to be exterminated. ... When we woke up the next day, the drapes had been pulled down. ... And Frank was gone.'"
Malorie discovers that it was actually Gary that feels this way, and he is kicked back out of the house. Soon, the due date is upon both pregnant women, as they both give birth at the same time. However, during a huge commotion, Malorie is shocked to find Gary standing in the same room!
"And a man, standing where Don was standing ... It's not possible ... But it is ... 'Gary ... you've been hiding in the cellar.'"
From downstairs, Malorie hears that a housemate has opened the doors -- the creatures are inside. The other mother sees one and commits suicide. Malories keeps her eyes closed and is able to save both babies. Gary leaves; everyone in the house is dead.
"... five bloody streaks trailing from the height of his head to where his hand lies pressed against the floor. ... Her body is horribly, unnaturally contorted. ... she still gasp when she feels the holes in his face. ... she passes one of the Huskies. It is slumped against the wall. ... And there she will step by Tom's body. ... She will find Don on the kitchen floor, reaching for the cellar."
The phone rings; it is a man, letting Malorie know they have a safe community, but she will have to take the river in order to reach it.
Fast forward to the family on said river. They finally arrive at Jane Tucker School for the Blind, a self-sustaining community. Malorie finally names the children: Olympia and Tom.
"... something powerful burns within the woman in the glass. A fire that has propelled her ... that demanded she survive, that commanded her to make a better life for her children."
All in all, it was a decent book! 👍 I thought it was written wonderfully for a horror novel -- it was chockful of suspense. The book was much more structured and graphic. I also really appreciate that the creatures are never fully revealed to us; rather, we are left at the mercy of our abundant and ceaseless imaginations. It's very easy to picture a grotesque monster (and find that frightening enough on its own), but being afraid of "nothing" will always be the supreme fear.