The Measure: A Novel

The Measure is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you finish it. The premise—everyone suddenly receiving a box that reveals the length of their life—is so unique and compelling, and the author explores it with incredible depth and compassion. The characters feel real, each responding differently to this life-altering knowledge, and their stories weave together in such a powerful way. This novel is emotional, reflective, and surprisingly hopeful despite its heavy theme. A brilliant, moving read that makes you think about the choices we make and what truly matters. Highly recommend!

A truer rating would be 3 1/2 stars, but I usually round up. The premise of the book is intriguing and the story is generally well written. That said, IMO the book drags in too many places and gets a bit too "preachy."

What a sensational concept! Erick delivers a fascinating take on human nature from multiple viewpoints. What would you do if you knew how much time you really had?

The first half of this book is very thought provoking about your life and how you are living it. The second half of the book is focused on how people are marginalized when they are different. The author cleverly uses the string concept to point out how many of us see others who are different than us. I say “clever” because it is not preachy but the message is there. The concept covers, race, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, cultural, political and differences within families. All good. My feelings as a long stringer is that I have learned these lessons in a full life lived and therefore, perhaps this book would be better received by a younger less mature audience. It is not that I disagree with the message, it is just that I thought the book was long and the string while clever, was a bit silly.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick is an emotional story with a unique idea. One day, everyone in the world over the age of 22 receives a box with a string inside. The length of the string shows how long they will live. This changes people's lives and causes a lot of fear, confusion, and big decisions. This premise sparks personal and societal upheaval, raising poignant questions about destiny, choice, and the meaning of a well-lived life. The book follows several characters and shows how each one reacts to the news. The writing is easy to understand and pulls you into the story. It makes you think about life, death, hope, fear, the human connection and what really matters. While some parts move a little slowly, it's a thoughtful and moving book that makes you reflect on how you would live if you knew how much time you had. It's a story about time, choice, and what it means to live fully.

The Measure is a beautifully written and deeply thought-provoking novel that lingers with you long after the final page. Nikki Erlick takes a simple but powerful premise—a mysterious box that reveals the length of your life—and turns it into a moving exploration of fate, choice, and the human psyche. What struck me most was how skillfully the book balances big philosophical questions with intimate, emotional storytelling. Erlick doesn’t just ask “what would you do?” but pushes further: how would this knowledge shape your relationships, your dreams, your fears, and your sense of self? The characters feel real and relatable, each grappling with the boxes in their own way, making you reflect on what you might do in their place. This is not just a speculative concept; it’s a mirror held up to our own lives and priorities. It’s both heart-wrenching and hopeful, reminding us that the true measure of a life lies not in its length but in how we choose to live it. A must-read for fans of thoughtful, character-driven fiction.

Amazing read. Amazing conversation starter. I have recommended this book so many times as I was reading it…I will keep recommending it to everyone!!

Wonderful character development and interesting concept. Thought provoking and wonderfully applied to conversation. I usually prefer mysteries, but this one offered a terrific moral dilemma. Book club must!

El libro es de pasta dura y lo recibí en perfectas condiciones. Tiene una funda amarilla como lo muestra la imagen del producto y se puede quitar revelando un libro negro de pasta dura. La historia es bastante interesante, tiene una trama que te deja constantemente en suspenso. La experiencia en general fue muy buena.

I loved this book! What an interesting story - everyone over the age of 22 years old suddenly finds a box on their doorstep one morning which a string inside. Over time, across the world, it comes to be known that the string is your life span and people are able to work out how long they will live. Would you want to know? Would you want to look inside your box? The book follows several different characters and what they do with the new knowledge and I loved how the characters were linked to each other, even if they didn't know about it. One of my favourites of 2024.

This was a book club read for me, and not something I would normally have been drawn to. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely thought provoking.

I talk about his book more often than I should. Loved it. Very current.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick is a compelling and reflective novel that asks one of life’s most profound questions: If you knew how much time you had left, how would you live your life? Set in a world where every adult receives a box with a string that reveals the length of their life, Erlick masterfully weaves together the lives of interconnected characters as they grapple with the consequences of this knowledge. What I found most powerful was how the novel explores themes of free will, fate, and the value of time. It isn’t just a speculative “what if”; it’s a mirror that forces readers to think about their own priorities and choices. The characters—diverse in their experiences, struggles, and reactions—ground the novel’s philosophical premise in real, relatable humanity. I particularly resonated with Nina’s story, as it revealed the tension between hope and fear in facing the unknown, and her journey stayed with me long after I closed the book. Nikki Erlick’s writing is lyrical and evocative, striking a balance between tender emotion and sharp social commentary. The novel raises questions about love, legacy, and society’s obsession with certainty—without offering easy answers. Instead, it allows the reader to wrestle with these ideas alongside the characters. For those seeking a novel that blends heart with thought-provoking themes, The Measure delivers a captivating and poignant reading experience. It’s a reminder that while life’s length might be uncertain, its depth and meaning remain within our control.