What did you think of the novel’s conclusion? How did it leave you feeling? Have any of your opinions changed after reading The Herd? Had me so gripped I raced through it in two days. A story about parenting decisions, betrayal and friendships - guaranteed to spark lively conversations with everyone who reads it. Sarah Turner, The Unmumsy Mum Super-organised, methodical Elizabeth and bohemian Bryony “ weren’t exactly chalk and cheese; more like cheese and pineapple - a weird, unexpected pairing that just worked”. Close friends and now neighbours, they’re godmothers to one another’s daughters, and have found a way to balance each of their differences, except on one big issue - vaccinating their daughters. The unravelling of their friendship begins with a birthday party and ends up with tragic consequences, explosive public show-downs and unexpected revelations. Powerful, pertinent stuff. Emily Edwards has effectively and compassionately raised awareness for not just one side of this 'debate', but both which I will always say is an extremely hard concept to master. Her writing is simple yet intellectual which fit perfectly for me as this was the first novel I had ever read around this topic. I am yet to be a parent so I can only imagine what lengths a parent would go to to lessen that overwhelming sense to protect their child. As the story unfolded I found myself empathising with both Bry and Elizabeth because at the end of the day, they both wanted to do the same thing which was to do what they saw as the best way to give their child the protection all parents want to give.

A white lie told just before Elizabeth’s young daughters birthday party takes an unimaginable turn. What a clever book. A very divisive subject written with such understanding and empathy but still light enough to be an enjoyable easy read. Truly a must read for all parents. Megan, NSW, 4 Stars I want to start by indicating that this novel is based on a very contentious issue of vaccination and herd immunity. But it does so in a way that does not preach for either side. It highlights the pain that may be experienced by those making their choice on either side of the debate. I found myself not wanting to put this book down, I was so engrossed in what would happen. It moved me in many ways and highlights the highs and lows of friendship. Life can be extremely difficult sometimes, but enduring friendship can be a salve for the pain. Except this is MMR and how many parents were scared or ignorant or didn’t want the MMR for their babies for all sorts of reasons. Did you know, James, the UK has one of the most concentrated vaccine schedules in the world? By the time your little one’ – she placed her warm hand on my bump – ‘is four months old, they will have had twenty-three vaccines? At eight weeks old their immune system will be flooded with aluminium – over two hundred times the recommended weekly intake, in one injection.’ I felt our baby twitch.On the other hand however, the author has produced a book that is pretty sympathetic to the anti-vaxx movement and reeks of privilege. 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.

Wow! What an incredible book, and so timely. I was riveted! Really beautifully written, compassionately told and incredibly thought provoking. A truly immersive telling of both sides of a story. - Susan Lewis 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. That was it. That was the moment. I stopped bouncing and stopped listening to the row. The choice was terrifying. If we vaccinated, we were – according to Sophie – risking damaging our baby’s nervous system, or, if we chose not to vaccinate, did we cross our fingers and hope they didn’t con- tract meningitis? I was entirely responsible for this new little life, but also helplessly out of control. And that was the moment the idea for The Herd was born. According to Transworld, The Herdprobes the line between individual choice and social responsibility. 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 . . .

Select a format:

I’d pushed for us to choose Sophie – she was the kind of mother I wanted to be. Strong, unafraid and incredibly kind. Alternative, yes (she had a yurt in her garden where she’d perform rebirthing rituals), but her life choices were rooted in experience and her shelves were heavy with books about birth and parenting. They were arguing because Sophie had just asked us whether we intended to vaccinate our baby. Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it properly yet, but was eager to hear Sophie’s wisdom, while James scrunched up his face as though her question had released a terrible smell. Discuss the theme of responsibility in the novel. Do you think the characters are justified in acting in the way they do? Would you have made the same choices had you been in their place? It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue.' Jodi Picoult Really beautifully written, compassionately told and incredibly thought provoking. A truly immersive telling of both sides of a story' Susan Lewis When was the last time you heard of someone contracting polio in this country?’ Sophie asked, still calm, still smiling.