The dystopian novel The City of Ember reviewed

The City of Ember is a famous dystopian novel about a dying city written by Jeanne DuPrau. The story was so popular that it received a movie adaptation. This article reviews the book and compares it to the movie so you can understand what to expect from this read.

About the author

Jeanne DuPrau was born in 1944 in San Francisco, California. Jeanne’s father, James B., was a steel company executive, while her mother, Dolly, was a painter and homemaker.

Jeanne is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She works as a teacher, technical writer, and editor.

Jeanne drew inspiration in her writing from Dickens’s work and started writing stories in his style in high school. After graduation from Scripps College, Jeanne taught English in high school and was the head of a creative writing club.

She has written four novels, six non-fiction books, and numerous short stories and essays. Her series The City of Ember is a New York Times bestseller.

Jeanne is passionate about books with magical themes like The Secret Garden, Mary Poppins, or The Chronicles of Narnia. She also likes playing piano, building houses, ice skating, music, and gardening.

A review of The City of Ember

The City of Ember is the first of the Book of Ember series. The book was first released in 2003 and has won numerous literary awards, including the California Book Award for Young Adults in 2003. While it is a book aimed at young adults, it is worth reading for readers of all ages. Penguin Random House published The City of Ember in 2003.

Ember is a city created by the Builders. The city’s creators imagined Ember would operate for 200 years. Food, electricity, and resources are scarce here, so the residents eat canned foods stocked by the Builders hundreds of years ago. Electricity in the city runs through generators.

Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, the two protagonists, do everything in their power to save the residents of Ember from doom. They embark on a mission to find a secret door away from the city. In the meantime, they discover major corruption in the government.

For his Assignment Day task in school, Doon gets to work in the underground “Pipeworks” where the electricity generators are placed. He uses his exceptional mechanical skills to try and stop the blackouts caused by malfunctioning great lamps. Lina, his partner in crime, investigates further into the supply situation.

Lina gets her hands on a mysterious note that her little sister Poppy is trying to eat, which damages the paper. Lina is sure the message on the paper is important for Ember residents but can only guess its meaning. Together with Doon, they join efforts to put the pieces together.

After further investigation, they discover horrible things about the city’s mayor and start a race against time to save the residents.

The story line and characters in The City of Ember show more than they tell. If you’re a careful reader, you’ll embark on a deep dystopian journey of corruption and greed that may feel quite Orwellian.

This novel is part of the Books of Ember series. It’s the first one to be released in 2003. Other books from the series include:

• The People of Sparks (2004)
• The Prophet of Yonwood (2006)
• The Diamond of Darkhold (2008)

Comparing The City of Ember book and movie

The City of Ember has received a movie adaptation by the Walden Media studio. The release date was October 10, 2008. The movie’s director was Gil Kenan, while Caroline Thompson wrote the screenplay.

The main characters are portrayed by the following stars:

• Saoirse Ronan (as Lina Mayfleet)
• Tim Robbins (as Loris Harrow)
• David Ryall (as Chief Builder)
• Mary Kay Place (as Mrs. Murdo)
• Harry Treadaway (as Doon Harrow)
• Bill Murray (as Mayor Cole)
• MacKenzie Crook (as Looper)
• Toby Jones (as Barton Snode)
• Martin Landau (as Sul)
• Marianne Jean-Baptiste (as Clary)

The movie doesn’t stray too far from the books. However, some of the differences worth mentioning include:

• The kids are older in the film than they are in the books.
• The film explains the story of the Builders in the beginning, while the books do so later on.
• Mrs. Murdo’s importance in the film is greatly lessened.
• Sul only appears in the film.
• The guards are meaner in the film.
• Lina’s father’s death is more dramatic in the film.
• The movie made Doon more likable than the books.
• Clary doesn’t appear as often in the film as in the books.

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FAQ

Was The City of Ember movie a flop?

The City of Ember movie made less than $18 million at the box office while being on a $55 million budget, depriving many fans of the chance to see a prequel or sequel. Still, this movie offers a thought-provoking adventure many consumers will enjoy.

Why is The City of Ember so dark?

The movie depicts a city ruled by a corrupt government on the verge of collapse. As an underground city, Ember receives limited light except for occasional lampposts and flood lamps. Either way, it is a dark book, but, as USA Today said in their review, “It leaves the reader wanting more.”

Is The City of Ember appropriate?

The City of Ember movie has a PG rating by MPAA. The books are age-appropriate.

Is there a City of Ember 2?

No, there is no City of Ember 2 at the moment.

Is The City of Ember on Netflix?

No, The City of Ember is not available on Netflix. You can watch The City of Ember on Amazon Prime Video.

Why do the people of The City of Ember have to eat canned food?

Food is scarce, and the people of Ember don’t have access to many other food sources other than the canned foods collected by the government centuries ago.