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If you are looking for a thrilling, thought-provoking, and diverse science fiction novel, you might want to check out On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis. This book tells the story of a teenage girl who struggles to survive and find a place in a world that is about to be destroyed by a comet. In this article, we will give you a brief overview of what this book is about, why you should read it, and how you can download it as a PDF file.

On the Edge of Gone download pdf

Introduction

On the Edge of Gone is a young adult science fiction novel by Corinne Duyvis, a Dutch author who is also known for her debut novel Otherbound and her co-founding of Disability in Kidlit, a website that reviews and discusses disability representation in children's literature. On the Edge of Gone was published in 2016 by Harry N. Abrams and received positive reviews from critics and readers alike. It was nominated for several awards, including the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, the James Tiptree Jr. Award for works that explore gender issues, and the Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award for works that portray individuals with developmental disabilities.

This book is worth reading because it offers a realistic, compelling, and diverse portrayal of a post-apocalyptic scenario, with characters that are complex, relatable, and marginalized in different ways. The protagonist, Denise, is a biracial autistic girl who has to deal with her drug-addicted mother, her missing sister, and her uncertain future. The book also explores themes such as family, identity, survival, ethics, disability, race, class, and sexuality.

Summary of the Plot

The story takes place in Amsterdam in 2035, on the day that a comet is scheduled to hit Earth. Denise and her mother have been assigned to a temporary shelter near their home, but they are running late because Denise's mother is looking for drugs. Along the way, they encounter Denise's former teacher, who invites them to join him on a generation ship that is about to leave Earth behind and colonize new worlds. However, everyone on the ship has been chosen because of their usefulness, and Denise fears that she will not be allowed to stay because she is autistic. She has to prove her worth by helping out with various tasks on board, while also searching for her sister Iris, who has gone missing.

The plot follows Denise's journey as she tries to find her place on the ship and in her family. She meets different people who have different opinions and motivations about leaving Earth or staying behind. She also learns more about herself, her autism, her sexuality, and her potential. She faces various challenges and dangers, such as a saboteur, a fire, a riot, and a mutiny. She also discovers a secret that could change everything. The story ends with a hopeful but ambiguous note, as Denise and the others await the fate of Earth and their new destination.

Analysis of the Themes

One of the major themes of the book is survival. The book explores what it means to survive in a world that is on the brink of destruction, and what people are willing to do to ensure their survival. It also questions who deserves to survive and who gets to decide that. Denise has to fight for her survival not only against the comet, but also against the prejudice and discrimination that she faces as an autistic person. She has to prove that she is not a burden or a liability, but a valuable and capable human being. She also has to balance her own survival with the survival of her family and friends, and decide whether to stay loyal to them or to pursue her own interests.

Another theme of the book is identity. The book explores how people define themselves and others in terms of their abilities, disabilities, race, class, gender, sexuality, and beliefs. Denise has to deal with her identity as an autistic person, as well as her identity as a biracial person and a bisexual person. She has to cope with the stigma and stereotypes that are attached to these labels, and also embrace them as part of who she is. She also has to respect and understand the identities of other people, such as her sister Iris, who is transgender, or her friend Tamara, who is Muslim. The book shows that identity is not fixed or simple, but fluid and complex.

A third theme of the book is ethics. The book explores the moral dilemmas and choices that people face in a crisis situation, and how they affect their actions and consequences. Denise has to make ethical decisions about whether to lie, cheat, steal, or kill to secure her place on the ship or to help others. She also has to question the ethics of the ship itself, which is based on a meritocratic system that excludes and exploits many people. She has to consider the ethics of leaving Earth behind or staying behind to help rebuild it. The book shows that ethics are not clear-cut or easy, but ambiguous and difficult.

Evaluation of the Style and Structure

The author uses language and tone to convey the mood and atmosphere of the story, which is tense, suspenseful, and emotional. She uses short sentences, vivid descriptions, and sensory details to create a sense of urgency and realism. She also uses humor, sarcasm, and irony to lighten the mood and add some comic relief. She uses different dialects, slang, and jargon to reflect the diversity and personality of the characters.

The author uses point of view and narration to tell the story from Denise's perspective. She uses first-person present tense narration, which allows the reader to experience Denise's thoughts, feelings, actions, and reactions in real time. She also uses stream-of-consciousness narration, which shows Denise's inner monologue and how she processes information and stimuli. She also uses flashbacks, which show Denise's memories and backstory.

The author organizes and paces the story to create suspense and interest. She divides the story into four parts, each corresponding to a different phase of Denise's journey: Before Impact, After Impact, On Board, and After Departure. She also uses chapters of varying lengths, some as short as one page and some as long as twenty pages. She uses cliffhangers at the end of some chapters to keep the reader hooked. She also uses subheadings within chapters to indicate changes in time or location.

Comparison with Other Works

On the Edge of Gone has some similarities and differences with other works by the same author or genre. For example:

• It is similar to Otherbound, Duyvis's debut novel, in that it features a diverse cast of characters with different abilities, disabilities, races, genders, sexualities, and backgrounds. It also features a protagonist who has to deal with multiple realities: one in her own world and one in another world.

• It is different from Otherbound, however, in that it is set in a near-future dystopian world instead of a contemporary fantasy world. It also focuses more on science fiction elements than fantasy elements.

• It is similar to other science fiction novels that deal with post-apocalyptic scenarios or generation ships, such as The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey or Across the Universe by Beth Revis. It also explores themes such as survival, identity, ethics, family, and humanity.

Comparison with Other Works

On the Edge of Gone has some similarities and differences with other works by the same author or genre. For example:

• It is similar to Otherbound, Duyvis's debut novel, in that it features a diverse cast of characters with different abilities, disabilities, races, genders, sexualities, and backgrounds. It also features a protagonist who has to deal with multiple realities: one in her own world and one in another world.

• It is different from Otherbound, however, in that it is set in a near-future dystopian world instead of a contemporary fantasy world. It also focuses more on science fiction elements than fantasy elements.

• It is similar to other science fiction novels that deal with post-apocalyptic scenarios or generation ships, such as The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey or Across the Universe by Beth Revis. It also explores themes such as survival, identity, ethics, family, and humanity.

• It is different from other science fiction novels, however, in that it features an autistic protagonist who is not stereotyped or tokenized. It also offers a realistic and nuanced portrayal of autism and how it affects Denise's perception and interaction with the world.

Conclusion

On the Edge of Gone is a captivating and thought-provoking science fiction novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It tells the story of Denise, an autistic girl who has to survive and find her place in a world that is about to end. It also explores themes such as family, identity, survival, ethics, disability, race, class, and sexuality. It challenges and changes your perspective on certain issues and topics. It leaves you with questions and thoughts that will linger long after you finish reading it.

If you are interested in reading this book, you can download it as a PDF file from this link: https://www.pdfdrive.com/on-the-edge-of-gone-e196102460.html. You can also buy it from Amazon or other online retailers. You can also check out the author's website for more information about her and her other works: http://www.corinneduyvis.net/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the common questions that people have about this book:

• Is this book suitable for young readers?

This book is suitable for young adult readers who are 13 years old and above. It contains some mature themes and scenes that may not be appropriate for younger readers, such as violence, death, drugs, sex, and swearing. It also deals with complex and sensitive topics that may require some background knowledge and critical thinking.

• Is this book part of a series?

This book is not part of a series. It is a standalone novel that has a conclusive ending. However, the author has expressed interest in writing a sequel or a companion novel that would explore what happens after the events of this book.

• Is this book based on a true story?

This book is not based on a true story. It is a fictional story that is set in a near-future dystopian world. However, the author has done extensive research and consulted experts to make the story as realistic and accurate as possible. She has also drawn inspiration from her own experiences as an autistic person and a biracial person.

• What are some of the main messages or lessons of this book?

This book has many messages and lessons that can be interpreted differently by different readers. Some of the possible messages or lessons are:

• The value of diversity and inclusion in society.

• The importance of family and friendship in times of crisis.

• The power of resilience and determination in overcoming challenges.

• The responsibility of making ethical choices and facing their consequences.

• The potential of human creativity and innovation in solving problems.

• How can I learn more about autism?

If you want to learn more about autism, you can start by reading some of the resources that the author has recommended on her website: http://www.corinneduyvis.net/on-the-edge-of-gone/resources/. You can also check out some of the websites and organizations that provide information and support for autistic people and their families, such as:

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network

• Autism Acceptance Month

• Autism Society of America

• Autism Speaks

• National Autistic Society

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