The Herd: the thought-provoking and unputdownable must-read book club novel of 2022

Elizabeth and Bry are best friends and godmothers to each other’s children. They trust each other implicitly until one fateful day that trust is tested to its absolute limits - what happens has catastrophic consequences that shakes their friendship to its core.This brilliant book tackles the often contentious issue of vaccinations and vaccines. It is extremely thought provoking and explores huge moral and ethical questions. At times, it almost made me livid with anger. As a nurse, I struggled to understand why some of the characters chose not to have their children vaccinated, but the author writes so insightfully and empathetically that she challenges beliefs, attitudes and ideals so much so that, as strongly as I believe in vaccinations, I was able to feel for those on both sides of the debate. We never know how someone’s life experiences impacts on their judgements or how our experiences affect our decision making processes.As the author says in her notes at the end: “We all just want to do the right thing for those we love and we are terrified of getting it wrong”This book would be a fantastic book club choice - it’s sure to open a lively debate. I loved it!

As so many reviewers have said, the timing of this book is very apt. The vaccine debate is once more in the public's consciousness, this time raging around covid 19 vaccinations. How much responsibility does one owe to the rest of society when the decisions you take effects other people?The Herd tackles the subject of childhood vaccinations in a neutral but thorough way, with no judgement. Both sides are given a fair hearing, both are shown to be coming from a position of love for their child.Elizabeth and Bry are best friends, despite being chalk and cheese. God Mothers to each other daughters, both families are close. Elizabeth's daughter, Clemmie has not been vaccinated because of a series of febrile convulsions when she was a baby. She relies on herd immunity to keep her safe. Bry has been brought up to be terrified of vaccinations. Her brother is severely autistic and non verbal, his condition blamed by his mother on the MMR vaccine.Tragic events following a birthday party brings the world's of both these women crashing down. The story leads up to a court case where emotions run high and both sides feel sure they have right on their side. Interspersed within the main story are brief viewpoints from a variety of characters, that underline the depth of belief on each side.I admit to being invested in this story as I was unable to vaccinate one of my children for similar reasons, although she was eventually vaccinated when she started school. The Herd helped me to understand anti vaxers a little better, though not to agree with them. It is hard to be objective when the health of one's child is at stake.All in all this is well written and provides much food for thought. I would like to have read it as a buddy or book club read as there is so much I would have liked to discuss.

I absolutely adored this book! I couldn’t put it down and the ending was so simple yet so clever. I didn’t see it coming at all yet it made perfect sense. I got really drawn into the characters and loved how the book alternated between the courtroom and the past events. Simply perfect! My next book has a lot to live up to.

Felt the story was pretty predictable. Interesting and thought provoking during this particular "covid" age and the arguments surrounding it but didn't find it the best book to read.

This was a really good book, I couldn’t put it down!