The World I Found

'The World I Found' is a young adult dystopian adventure story by Indian New Zealander Latika Vasil which focuses on a young girl’s quest for survival in the aftermath of a devastating virus.

Written in a simple and accessible register, this is an easy and enjoyable read that feels very similar to zombie and other apocalypse survival narratives where you never fully trust any new characters you meet along the journey.

Thematically, this book covers survival, identity, trust, power, corruption, and was quite jarring to read in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic – a speculative “what-if” and “worsecase scenario”.

The narrative is broken into five parts: The Island, Back on the mainland, The Community, Heading Home, Endings and beginnings, which makes it quite easy to pick up and put down. While the plot is engaging and has momentum, the ending leaves a number of unanswered questions and unresolved plotlines which is quite frustrating.

Overall, a fun read with some moments of discomfort and disgust, woven seamlessly with hope and quite a pastoral tone.