Jennifer R. reviewed on + 3 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book, mostly because it was one of the better written books I've read in a long time. James does an excellent job of creating effective characterizations- honest, human (or realistically inhuman), and believeable. It was not much like the movie, however.
From here on is a spoiler- important details will be revealed.
The premise is that there is a plague of infertility throughout the world in the late 1990's. The last generation to be born, the Omegas, are treated with almost religious awe in hopes they will reproduce (they can't). The first half of the book develops the history of the crisis and the cultural reactions developed to help people live in a world that is dying. Old people kill themselves in mass numbers, in events called a Quietus, because there is no one to care for them. As cities shrink, those remaining move to urban areas to concetrate services like power and water, which the government tries to guarantee as long as possible. Schools and colleges develop adult learning programs to take up time of those normally using it to raise children and grandchildren. Women invite friends for a celebration in the birth of a pet, who they christen like a child, or carry around dolls in prams to disguise their desperation to conceive. Others are expected to congratulate them on their new arrival. There is a general sense of hopelessness because it is certain there will be no human future.
The story is told through the eyes of Theodore, a history professor in his 50's, and cousin to the leader of England. The story deals with the relationship between the two men, interspersed with information about the world created by mass infertility. Theodore meets a woman, Julian, who approaches him to intercede for a group of 5 people who wish to reform the government, which they feel has become a dictatorship. Theodore quickly falls in love with her, unrequited due to her married state. He leaves the country for six months, only to return and find her the first pregnant woman in 25 years. The rest of the story deals with Julian and the birth of her child, which she wishes to conceal from the outside world as long as possible.
Brief literary analysis
This book reminded me a lot of 1984, and seems to especially follow the style and tone of the book. I almost wonder if James took up the project with this in mind. Theodore's constant relationship with his cousin is much like the protagonist of 1984 to Big Brother. Theodore is initiated into a protest of the leader (Xan or Big Brother)through his relationship to a woman who reveals to him the honest horror of aging. (Similar to 1984 where the protagonist confronts aging with an elderly prostitute, then finds love with a young woman who reflects his changing world view.) The ultimate conflict is with Theodore's identity becoming the state identity, a change Julian notices immediately when he puts on the ring of the dead leader, just as the protagonist of 1984 ultimately realizes after his torture, that he is Big Brother. The text is very rich and could be analyzed much further. I recommend it to anyone who likes books of the genre.
From here on is a spoiler- important details will be revealed.
The premise is that there is a plague of infertility throughout the world in the late 1990's. The last generation to be born, the Omegas, are treated with almost religious awe in hopes they will reproduce (they can't). The first half of the book develops the history of the crisis and the cultural reactions developed to help people live in a world that is dying. Old people kill themselves in mass numbers, in events called a Quietus, because there is no one to care for them. As cities shrink, those remaining move to urban areas to concetrate services like power and water, which the government tries to guarantee as long as possible. Schools and colleges develop adult learning programs to take up time of those normally using it to raise children and grandchildren. Women invite friends for a celebration in the birth of a pet, who they christen like a child, or carry around dolls in prams to disguise their desperation to conceive. Others are expected to congratulate them on their new arrival. There is a general sense of hopelessness because it is certain there will be no human future.
The story is told through the eyes of Theodore, a history professor in his 50's, and cousin to the leader of England. The story deals with the relationship between the two men, interspersed with information about the world created by mass infertility. Theodore meets a woman, Julian, who approaches him to intercede for a group of 5 people who wish to reform the government, which they feel has become a dictatorship. Theodore quickly falls in love with her, unrequited due to her married state. He leaves the country for six months, only to return and find her the first pregnant woman in 25 years. The rest of the story deals with Julian and the birth of her child, which she wishes to conceal from the outside world as long as possible.
Brief literary analysis
This book reminded me a lot of 1984, and seems to especially follow the style and tone of the book. I almost wonder if James took up the project with this in mind. Theodore's constant relationship with his cousin is much like the protagonist of 1984 to Big Brother. Theodore is initiated into a protest of the leader (Xan or Big Brother)through his relationship to a woman who reveals to him the honest horror of aging. (Similar to 1984 where the protagonist confronts aging with an elderly prostitute, then finds love with a young woman who reflects his changing world view.) The ultimate conflict is with Theodore's identity becoming the state identity, a change Julian notices immediately when he puts on the ring of the dead leader, just as the protagonist of 1984 ultimately realizes after his torture, that he is Big Brother. The text is very rich and could be analyzed much further. I recommend it to anyone who likes books of the genre.
