String Theory
Book Review: The Measure by Nikki Erlick
“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to save the world and a desire to savor the world. That makes it hard to plan the day.”
― Nikki Erlick, The Measure
Genre: Speculative Fiction
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nikki Erlick’s The Measure blends speculative fiction with profound philosophical questions about fate, free will, and the value of time. The premise is simple yet haunting: one day, every person in the world over the age of 22 receives a small wooden box containing a string—its length corresponding to the span of their remaining life.
From this chilling premise, Erlick explores how different characters react to this knowledge. Some choose to open their boxes immediately, while others resist temptation, clinging to the belief that not knowing is better. The book follows a diverse cast of characters—including a politician, a journalist, a doctor, a teacher, an architect, all whose relationships are tested by the revelation of their strings—each grappling with the implications of knowing (or not knowing) their fate.
What makes The Measure so compelling is how Erlick weaves together personal stories with broader societal consequences, showing how institutions, relationships, and cultural attitudes shift in response to this new reality. The novel raises powerful questions: Would you live differently if you knew exactly how much time you had left? Would society treat people with short strings differently?
The writing is accessible yet poignant, and Erlick balances moments of heartbreak with hope, reminding readers that while life’s length may be predetermined, its meaning is not. While some readers might wish for a deeper exploration of the sci-fi mechanics behind the mysterious strings, The Measure doesn’t get into that. It’s a book that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the last page, sparking discussions about destiny, choice, and the way we define a life well-lived.
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