Stephanie Jane recenzis Beyond What Separates Us de R.A. Morris
Impressively ambitious scale
4 steloj
Beyond What Separates Us is a science-based novel that explores the aftermath of global devastation caused by climate change. Four characters, located in different parts of the world and living in very different circumstances, illustrate scarily plausible futures for humanity within the coming century. Having recently read Jonathan Porritt's depressing nonfiction work, Hope In Hell, on just this subject, I can attest to the accuracy of Morris' research. While I did struggle to keep each of the four lead characters separated in my head (because they all speak with remarkably similar voices) the scenarios in which they find themselves are vividly portrayed and convincingly authentic. I liked that Morris takes into account the present and recent history for each area, using this to extrapolate into the future so the Colombian character's life is still dominated by gangs and local warlords while, in Canada, an orderly megacity is thriving and India …
Beyond What Separates Us is a science-based novel that explores the aftermath of global devastation caused by climate change. Four characters, located in different parts of the world and living in very different circumstances, illustrate scarily plausible futures for humanity within the coming century. Having recently read Jonathan Porritt's depressing nonfiction work, Hope In Hell, on just this subject, I can attest to the accuracy of Morris' research. While I did struggle to keep each of the four lead characters separated in my head (because they all speak with remarkably similar voices) the scenarios in which they find themselves are vividly portrayed and convincingly authentic. I liked that Morris takes into account the present and recent history for each area, using this to extrapolate into the future so the Colombian character's life is still dominated by gangs and local warlords while, in Canada, an orderly megacity is thriving and India has vast crumbling slums.
Beyond What Separates Us focuses on what sort of society could be rebuilt on a planet where half the human population has been wiped out by lack of resources (and the resultant long-running wars to cling to what remained) over just a few decades. There are lots of discussions around what constitutes freedom and ideas of social responsibility versus personal choice which I found interesting. Some people are trying to reinstate outdated concepts of government and democracy while others are building independent self-supporting farming communes. There is a surprising lack of any religious beliefs among the survivors though which is perhaps overly optimistic, and farmed animals still 'give us' their eggs and milk (as if they have freedom of choice too!).
Beyond What Separates Us is a novel on an impressively ambitious scale, especially for a debut, and one which I felt achieved its aims in an entertaining yet thoughtful way. It depicts humanity at our absolute worst, yet with moments of joy and hope. Its premise that we failed to reverse the climate emergency in time will hopefully resonate with enough readers to help avert this disastrous prophecy and keep the novel as science fiction. As a fatalistic-resilient though, I expect many of Morris's predictions to come true.