r e n r o Book C Two sisters, two nuclear power stations, one child caught in the middle...
The Half-life of Snails By Philippa Holloway
Nuclear power often gets placed within the extraterrestrial, a buzz word in a news item, a debate in a science lesson, or just focussing on the cartoonish glowing green hue of its toxicity. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in recent years has
nuclear power station on the coast of Anglesey. Jennifer
become more and more popular amongst the curiosity of
works for the nuclear industry and welcomes the boosts
dark tourists, as well as being used as an omen warning
to employment and the local economy. When Helen has
of the devastating impact that humans can have on our
to travel to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone to research
environment. Empty classrooms and the yellow carousel
her campaign to oppose the nuclear plans, Jack is left
serve as a stark reminder that these were once people’s
with Jennifer for the first time. With both sisters out
homes. However, the deserted landscapes often omit
of their routines and in new territory, both literally and
the stories of their previous residents. In her debut
metaphorically, they must face up to their fears and
novel The Half-life of Snails, Philippa Holloway uses the
discover the long-lasting impact of their actions.
power of these landscapes to bring life to her characters, demonstrating what could be learnt from their trauma and
Philippa Holloway is a writer and senior lecturer at
the loss suffered within these catastrophic events.
Staffordshire University. During research for her PhD, which examined nuclear psychogeography, Philippa
The Half-life of Snails follows the narratives of two sisters,
visited the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Her extensive
Helen and Jennifer. A bond that has been intertwined and
research has shaped her novel and grounded her work in
tested by the looming Wylfa Power Station that marked
exploring the relationship between the land around us and
their childhood on Anglesey.
our sense of belonging.
Helen is a self-taught prepper and a single mother to
The Half-life of Snails is available now in hardback,
five-year-old Jack and opposes the plans for a new
published by Parthian Books.
NWM 2022 Page 53
