The central plot of the novel is that a young girl appears to be addicted to electricity, and whilst high on a fix (administered via ECT) can feel vibrations that enable her to predict the very day that storms, earthquakes and other natural phenomena occur anywhere on the globe a hurricane in Rio, a tornado in Aberdeen, an earthquake in Istanbul. But to set such a realistic aspiration within a plot of such ridiculous arrant nonsense is itself disingenuous. In fact, I was happy to bite my lip in the name of fiction, until I read the in the acknowledgements … ‘that anyone wishing to explore the science further, I recommend the website I suppose that the core of my irritation in regard to this novel surrounds a recurring theme in Jensen’s novels – that of the disingenuousness of evangelical Christianity, a theme I am in total agreement with.

Matt Lauer an American TV pundit once asked John Grisham in an interview, whether his latest story was a little far-fetched, to which Grisham replied, ‘It’s already happened.’ With even a few emails from renowned scientists, Liz Jensen must know that her story isn’t even a little far fetched, it is far fetched to the point of hilarity. Perhaps though, these experiences should preclude me from both reading and offering my thoughts on the basis that I might be inclined to be vituperative. But then, I have a degree in earth science, I have been a member of the evangelical community church and have had electro-convulsive-therapy, so I do feel ideally placed to offer some observations. The Rapture to date has had very good reviews.

The Rapture by Liz Jensen