The Herd: the unputdownable, thought-provoking must-read Richard & Judy book club pick

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When was the last time you heard of someone contracting polio in this country?’ Sophie asked, still calm, still smiling.

This is essentially a book about two middle class women who think they know better than decades of established medical science. Sigh.Despite such a contentious issue, the author manages to make neither heroes nor villains of the two main characters, as we watch their friendship implode after a chain of heart-breaking events that ends up in the courtroom, as well as the other characters we meet along the way. The 80-something with a polio-withered leg, the internet troll who wishes death on anti-vaxxers, the husband who wants to support his wife, while fearing for the health of his child. With two relatable women and a weighty, timely topic at its heart, The Herd seems like the ideal novel for book clubs to get to grips with. Read on for a set of questions to spark your discussions. Little do they know that they differ over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child’s birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined… If you would like a non-fiction look at this subject, we can recommend The End of Plagues: The Global Battle Against Infectious Disease by John Rhodes. For more fiction, try Keep You Safe by Melissa Hill. However the story then seemed to become more about revenge than responsibility and the betrayed mother became the villain of the piece and her friend, who had lied to her and put her child in danger, was painted as the victim in all ways and took on that role with aplomb. Added to this there were circumstances that didn’t make sense – Clemmie was allowed to go to parties with unvaccinated children, and to school with them, but they were banned from her birthday party. These were things that confused me and I wasn’t sure if they were meant to not make sense and confuse the issue further, or whether it was an oversight. I was also a bit disappointed that the court case outcome hinged on a technicality that would have been dismissed in the very first rounds of due diligence and that I and my other book club readers had spotted as a potential banana skin very early on.

Two friends - Bry and Elizabeth - both have young daughters who are good friends. Elizabeth's daughter can't be vaccinated due to fits in early childhood so her mother relies on the concept of 'herd immunity' to keep her safe. Bry has never told her friend that her daughter ISN'T vaccinated because Bry's adult brother has severe autism and Bry's mother had spent all her parental life drumming into Bry that Matty, her brother, was damaged by the MMR vaccine. Though told with clarity and balance, Emily Edwards’ The Herd is an emotional rollercoaster of a novel for readers who like their fiction to have real-life resonance, and family life at its heart. Exploring both sides of the child vaccination debate through two women, its themes and heated scenarios chime with current vaccination debates and conflicts. Namely, how societies and individuals navigate and reconcile public health needs with personal beliefs and fears. I love a book that not only grips me and makes me think but also educates me. The Herd reminded me a little of Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things, because the research was meticulous and unbiased, the topic of whether to vaccinate was fair and balanced and above all I felt I was learning so much whilst reading the book. Elizabeth and Bryony have two completely different personalities. Elizabeth's daughter has an illness which means she should not be vaccinated and her parents have to rely on the herd immunity around them to keep Clementine safe. Elizabeth is quite vocal on the importance of being vaccinated. Bryony doesn't trust vaccines, so her daughter has not been vaccinated. This is quite relevant tp the current situation with covid. It's also quite an emotional read. This is a well written book that debates for and against vaccines.My only issue with this novel was that I really struggled to connect with both Bryony and Elizabeth. I just found their choices and actions difficult to understand at times. That being said, I fell completely in love with Emily Edwards descriptions of children at play. I have never read anything with so much accuracy before, it made the characters of Alba and Clemmie so vivid in my mind. You could absolutely tell that the author is a mother herself. The vulnerability and innocence warmed my heart completely. This is a book unlike anything I’ve ever read before, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HERE Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined.

We have chosen to vaccinate our sons and I believe it was the right thing to do; both for us and to help protect others. That doesn’t mean I didn’t dread the moment the needle entered their soft bodies. But I knew it would be infinitely worse to watch them contract measles, meningitis or whooping cough – knowing I could have prevented their suffering. I liked it. I liked how it didn't feel preachy or didactic. One thing I didn't love was the character of Rosalyn because I did not understand why she had no purpose other than to randomly pop up and offer magical hippie wisdom. Also, all the characters were middle to upper middle class, which is typical of anti-vaxxers, and white, which I honestly don't know if that's typical of anti-vaxxers or not. What does this exchange reveal about the women’s personalities and relationship? What is the author trying to reveal through it? The Herd follows best friends Bryony and Elizabeth. They live for their families and each other, trusting that they have the children’s best interests at heart. But it turns out some things have gone unspoken between them, and some lies may cause irreparable damage.

Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child’s birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined . . . I spoke to anyone who’d talk to me about vaccines. And beyond the noise of the anger, the outrage that people could be so ignorant, so selfish, so stupid, I’d noticed the same quiet panic I’d experienced that humid day in our garden. We all just want to do the right thing for those we love and we are terrified of getting it ‘wrong’. I hope I’ve managed to convey this in the novel. The book is essentially a discussion over whether to vaccinate or not; it’s well written and an encompassing read which you won’t want to put down. This doesn’t conclude on either side of the argument but instead presents a well-researched view on both sides. This is like a Jodi Picoult novel, courageous discussing controversial subjects. It also worked through some of the myths surrounding MMR and autism. The characters were strong and well executed and the research meticulous. The balance the author gives to both sides of the story is just perfect. The court case wrapped up with a great twist I didn’t see coming.

Of the two main characters, Elizabeth the pro-vaccine mum is highly strung and painfully neurotic, while anti-vaxx mum Bryony is a messy, hippy mum “just doing her best”. The author chooses not to come down on one side or the other in the story which I found a bit pathetic and will only serve to enhance vaccine hesitancy in those who are that way inclined. They weren’t exactly chalk and cheese; more like cheese and pineapple - a weird, unexpected pairing that just worked”. Do you agree with this statement about Elizabeth and Bry’s friendship? Why do you think it “just worked”? Personal freedom versus public health. Who gets to decide (and judge) how you raise your own children? How do you know (and choose) what’s right? What happens when your choices have an impact on others? How do we reconcile societal needs and values with personal beliefs and fears? Such questions are at the heart of Emily Edwards’ The Herd, a thought-provoking debut that’s sure to spark big debate as it sets readers off on a heady emotional rollercoaster, with unexpected revelations as it builds to a thrilling, moving climax. The characters are well developed, and various people around the court case balance either side of the argument. I connected to all four main characters and could empathise with them easily.Think about the events leading up to the birthday party. Could the drama that develops from that moment have been prevented? Which characters are to blame for the way in which the tragedy unfolds? This is a brilliant book for a buddy read that will encourage discussion. Thanks to all the lovely readers who read along with me.