Karen Thompson Walker's The Age of Miracles delves into a world where the Earth's rotation slows, unfolding a young girl's coming-of-age against a unique, catastrophic backdrop. The prose is praised for its lyrical quality and fresh take on dystopian themes, but some critics find the plot's pace too slow and its characters underdeveloped. Overall, it offers a thought-provoking and melancholic narrative worth exploring.

Fans of speculative and coming-of-age fiction, similar to Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel or The Road by Cormac McCarthy, will appreciate The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. Readers curious about the impact of extraordinary situations on everyday life and human resilience will find this novel compelling.

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker follows 11-year-old Julia as she navigates personal and societal challenges amid a dystopian world where Earth's rotation has slowed, causing environmental catastrophes and societal divides between "real-timers" and "clock-timers." Sensitive topics in the book include bullying, infidelity, and illness.

Melancholic / Contemplative / Mysterious / Bittersweet / Serene

- Karen Thompson Walker's inspiration for The Age Of Miracles came from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which made her think about the fragility and unpredictability of everyday life. 
- Before becoming a novelist, Walker worked as an editor at Simon & Schuster, where she honed her skills in storytelling and narrative structure.
- The Age Of Miracles was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2013, which recognizes the best science fiction novel published in the UK during the previous year.

**Julia**  
The narrator and protagonist who reflects on the onset of a global event called “the slowing” that started when she was 12 years old. She navigates the challenges of adolescence, relationships, and the world shifting around her.

**Seth Moreno**  
Julia’s adolescent love interest, characterized by his quiet nature and skateboarding skill. He shares a brief but impactful romance with Julia amid the chaos of “the slowing.”

**Helen (Julia's Mother)**  
A former actress who turns to survivalist behavior and later struggles with health issues amid “the slowing.” She copes with the drastic changes in their world in various ways.

**Joel (Julia's Father)**  
An OBGYN specializing in high-risk births who faces personal and family challenges. He is depicted as a caring father trying to navigate the moral complexities in the face of global change.

**Sylvia**  
Julia’s piano teacher and a naturalist who maintains a “real-timer” lifestyle, adhering to natural time despite societal shifts. Her relationship with Julia’s father adds complexity to Julia’s family dynamics.

**Gene (Julia’s Grandfather)**  
An eccentric man known for his strong opinions and resistance to conforming with community expectations. His character serves as a familial touchstone for Julia.

**Hanna**  
Julia’s former best friend whose relationship with Julia changes after moving away with her family due to “the slowing.” Her character represents the first significant loss of Julia's childhood friendships.

**Gabby**  
A rebellious girl from the neighborhood and Julia’s last remaining friend before circumstances lead to their separation. Her actions highlight divergent paths taken in response to the new world order.

Karen Thompson Walker

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Age Of Miracles reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Age Of Miracles | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Age Of Miracles and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Age Of Miracles Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

The Age Of Miracles Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-9

The Age Of Miracles Chapters 4-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-15

The Age Of Miracles Chapters 10-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-20

The Age Of Miracles Chapters 16-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-27

The Age Of Miracles Chapters 21-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-34

The Age Of Miracles Chapters 28-34 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Age Of Miracles Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Age Of Miracles Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Age Of Miracles Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Age Of Miracles Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Age Of Miracles Essay Topics

Introduction

The Age Of Miracles Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

The Age Of Miracles Before Reading

During Reading

The Age Of Miracles During Reading

After Reading

The Age Of Miracles After Reading

The Age Of Miracles

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Age Of Miracles?

Reading Age

Book Details