Review: "The Children's Hospital" by Chris Adrian

The Children’s Hospital by Chris Adrian may be one of the most surreal books I have read, and rivals 2666 as one of the hardest books I have read. It proves again that Adrian is someone to watch. He doesn’t really follow any trends, and creates these weird tales with a since of child-like imagination one would not expect from someone whose a pediatrician/ divinity student and a world class writer (not too mention that he seems like a humble guy from the few interviews I have seen of him). This mammoth novel will challenge your notions of story and maybe your patience as well. The plot is kind of like a more sophisticated and thoughtful version of Stephen King’s Under the Dome. A hospital is kept afloat when the whole of the earth is flooded underneath seven miles of water. But not to fret, there are four different angels aboard this large vessel, all with different powers, like creating replicators that can turn shoes into anything, and feces into shoes. The main character, Jemma, is a medical student with a tragic past that keeps her from loving anyone, is put in a place of leadership, and onto a dark destiny that may or may not save the world (still not sure). I love some of the weird things but not all. Toward the end two things happen that really grabbed me, one involving another ship they find, and another involving a disease that turns those affected into ash. These two parts are welcomed after about 400 pages of intriguing yet demanding and exhausting prose that loses some of its narrative power. I do recommend this book, despite how difficult and long-winded it is over all of its 600 pages. There are rewards in it, not the least of which is Adrian’s talents as one of the most original writers working today.

Rating: 4/5