The Measure

A story of love and hope as interweaving characters display: how all moments, big and small, can measure a life. If you want joy, love, romance, and hope—read with us.” —Jenna Bush Hager

A luminous, spirit-lifting blockbuster that asks: would you choose to find out the length of your life?

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

Enchanting and deeply uplifting, The Measure is an ambitious, invigorating story about family, friendship, hope, and destiny that encourages us to live life to the fullest.

From the Publisher
A Read With Jenna Book Club Pick!
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
An Amazon Best Book of July 2022: Nikki Erlick presents a simple yet irresistible question in her debut novel: if you had the choice, would you want to know how long you had to live? When every adult across the globe receives a wooden box with the captivating inscription, “The measure of your life lies within,” the world changes in an instant. People everywhere are faced with the decision of whether or not they want to know how much time they have left, and society has to decide how to deal with those whose days are numbered. Erlick deftly explores the impact on individual relationships and the larger ramifications for global institutions, while keeping the story focused on eight individuals navigating the new status quo. Heartbreaking and life-affirming, The Measure is sure to be a hit with book clubs. —Marcus Mann, Amazon Editor
Review
“Perfect for book clubs, Erlick’s The Measure is equal parts charming and thought-provoking. It takes a philosophical question—what if everybody on earth knew exactly how long they had left to live?—and explores, with compassion and pragmatism, how the implications would trickle down into every area of modern life, from politics to intimacy.” — Marie Claire

“Despite its chilling premise, Erlick’s novel is an escape from—rather than a window into—our own terrifying reality.” — New York Times

“So often, high-concept novels are all conceit, no heart, but Nikki Erlick gives us both in spades, a fascinating and timely setup buttressed by a compelling cast of characters finding their hard way through unprecedented times. It makes The Measure a heartfelt parable for our own unprecedented times but also its opposite: a lesson in what doesn’t change even when everything else does.” — Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of One Two Three

“What an incredible book! It’s truly original with an intriguing premise that’s beautifully executed. I loved the fact that it was written from so many POVs, each adding depth and perspective to the overall narrative which made it a rich and satisfying read. I found it gripping, poignant, and intensely thought-provoking.” — Ruth Hogan, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things

“A compelling, heart-breaking story of life and love with a perfect, elegant premise.” — Bridget Collins, bestselling author of The Binding

“One of the most life-affirming novels I’ve read in a long while, The Measure is exactly what our world needs right now.”
— Christina Dalcher, bestselling author of Vox

“The Measure is utterly original and wonderfully mysterious. Through Erlick’s deft prose and clever logic, I threw away all disbelief and fully plunged into the unsettling but life-affirming world she creates.” — Jessica Anya Blau, author of Mary Jane

“The Measure is an utterly original and hugely compelling story, which drew me in from the very first page with its beautiful writing. Weeks after reading it, I’m still thinking about this smart, uplifting novel and its wonderful characters.” — Freya Sampson, author of The Last Chance Library

“Nikki Erlick has created an irresistible hook about a question that everyone asks but no-one ever wants to answer. With thoughtful and compelling detail, she crafts a strange—and strangely familiar—world full of new moral and political conundrums. And while the novel is full of ideas, The Measure has a strong emotional heart—with an array of characters exploring their frightening, but sometimes beautiful new worlds. Ultimately, The Measure is about the power of human resilience, a new world where people get to choose their own kind of freedom.” — Luke Allnutt, author of We Own the Sky