If you want a better future tomorrow, you’re going to have to fight for it today.
Here are four urgent stories from author and activist Cory Doctorow, four social, technological and economic visions of the world today and its near – all too near – future.
‘Unauthorized Bread’ is a tale of immigration, toxic economic stratification and a young woman’s perilously illegal quest to fix a broken toaster.
In ‘Model Minority’ a superhero finds himself way out his depth when he confronts the corruption of the police and justice system.
‘Radicalized’ is the story of a desperate husband, a darknet forum and the birth of a violent uprising against the US health care system.
The final story, ‘The Masque of the Red Death’, tracks an uber-wealthy survivalist and his followers as they hole up and attempt to ride out the collapse of society.
This was a brilliantly thought provoking yet hugely entertaining set of novella’s, each one self contained, taking on a meaningful social issue and using speculative fiction to hit home.
Some immersively clever writing with a hugely authentic set of characters, yes even the superhero, who you’ll definitely recognise, all thrown into various dangerous situations which they may or may not be able to extricate themselves from.
From a distinctly perilous attempt to utilise technology we all take for granted, to being caught up in a terror campaign Cory Doctorow plays with the deep seated fears and casual prejudice we have inside all of us. Darkly humorous on occasion but always with a wry eye on human nature, each tale brings it’s own set of challenges to your thinking.
Unauthorised Bread was my favourite story mainly down to the main protagonist and the feeling that not to far in the future it could all be genuinely happening, but every story engaged my brain in different ways.
Overall very good indeed. Take a leap of faith out of your comfort zone and give this one a go.
Recommended.
You can purchase Radicalized (Head of Zeus) Here.
Happy Reading!
