How I Live Now summary

The Start of an Unlikely Journey

In How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff, we meet Daisy, a fifteen-year-old girl from New York who is sent to England to live with her aunt and cousins. Daisy is a complex character, dealing with anorexia and a dysfunctional family. When she arrives in England, she is immediately captivated by her cousin Edmond, who is a few years older than her and has a mysterious, magnetic personality. Edmond's twin, Isaac, is more reserved, and the youngest of the three, Piper, is an adorable but wild little girl.

Initially, Daisy is skeptical of her new family and their rural lifestyle. But as she spends more time with them, she starts to appreciate the simple, idyllic life they lead. She also begins to develop a deep bond with her cousins, especially Edmond, who she falls in love with. Their relationship is complicated, intense, and atypical, but it becomes the central focus of Daisy's life in England.

War and Separation

However, their peaceful existence is abruptly shattered when war breaks out in the UK. The government is overthrown, and the country is occupied by an unnamed enemy. The cousins are separated, with the boys sent off to work camps and Daisy and Piper left to fend for themselves at the family farm. The two girls become increasingly isolated, and their survival becomes an arduous task as food and resources become scarce.

Despite the grim circumstances, Daisy's narrative voice remains strong. She describes the horrors of war with a detached, almost matter-of-fact tone. She focuses on the practicalities of survival, refusing to dwell on the emotional trauma that she and Piper are experiencing. Daisy's resilience and resourcefulness become increasingly evident as she navigates this harsh new reality.

Reunion and Resilience

After a long separation, Daisy and Piper finally manage to escape the farm and set off to find their cousins. Their journey is perilous, and they face numerous dangers and challenges along the way. However, they are driven by their determination to be reunited with their family. The girls' resilience and their unwavering love for each other keep them going through the toughest times.

When Daisy and Piper finally reunite with Edmond and Isaac, they find them changed by their experiences in the work camps. The boys are scarred, both physically and emotionally, and the family dynamic is strained. Daisy's relationship with Edmond, in particular, is fraught with tension and guilt. The war has taken a heavy toll on all of them, and their struggles are far from over.

The Bittersweet End

As the story progresses, the war escalates, and the enemy's presence becomes more oppressive. The cousins' situation becomes increasingly dire, and they are forced to make difficult decisions to ensure their survival. In the midst of this chaos, Daisy and Edmond's relationship deepens, despite the odds stacked against them.

However, the novel's ending is bittersweet. Without giving away too much, the cousins are once again separated, and Daisy's future is left uncertain. Despite the hardships they face, the characters' resilience and their enduring love for each other shine through. How I Live Now is a poignant exploration of the impact of war on young lives, and the unbreakable bonds of family and love.