Utopia X by Scott Wilson

First of all, just a quick note for those who are afraid that I’ve slammed my flag into Bookreviewbabes.com and claimed it in the name of Natalina, Don’t worry!  Cheryl is on vacation (or holiday, as I believe they call it in her neighborhood) and she will return.  In the meantime, read on for another of my thrilling reviews.

utopia x scott wilson

Utopia X by Scott Wilson has long been one of my favorites.  Contrary to what you may believe given my prior reviews, this is the genre I’m usually most excited to sink my brain into.  It is a novel about mind control, out of control government, oppression, and hypersensitivity. Although it is not as well known, I’d put this book in the category of Nineteen Eighty Four, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm, It Can’t Happen Here, and even Watership Down. All books that transcend the time in which they were written, and deliver a cautionary sucker punch in our current world climate.

So, the main question of the novel is this.  How does one criticize political correctness without sounding like an insensitive Philistine?  And what happens when a Government hijacks speech an outlaws insensitivity?  Would it increase a sense of oneness and compassion, or would it rob everyone of their identity, and benefit only those who are most likely to oppress the very people they claim to be protecting?

This may sound like a complicated thesis, but it is laid out brilliantly by Wilson.  The year is 2048, and a fascist government is set up under the guise of anti-racism and compassion.  But the ultimate goal is not harmony at all, but control.  By wiping away freedom of speech, no matter how vile it may sometimes be, what really goes away is culture.  The law hurts everyone, because it strips them of their individuality.  The “equality” that the government claims to strive for actually ends up secretly being mandated inequality, and the nation swirls into unending poverty and pain.

Enter a group of rebels who are comprised of a rag tag group of what we would call “Average Joes”.  They formulate a plan to defend freedom for all.  I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll simply add that there is a ray of hope in here.  Something that other novels of this bent tend to gloomily lack.

Sinclair Lewis spoke about fascism coming to America in the ruse of  patriotism.  This book draws that conclusion as well.   The first time I read it, I thought about the parallels between this and Orwell’s Big Brotherly nightmare in 1984.  When I re-read it more recently, I began to see the reflection of this book in my own observation of our government.  And I don’t mean this as a knock against the current administration, the last one, or any prior.  I tend to believe that the real puppet masters of government are not those standing behind the podiums.  But that’s a discussion for my other blog ;)

But look at the similarities.  The powers that be in this book subject citizens to unending war of questionable origin, a tightening of liberties under the false bogeyman of protection and security, and promises of universal fellowship that are on the surface brilliant, but underneath are designed to lift up the aristocracy and further undermine the middle class.

It is a timeless tale of warning against complacency.  It is a dire look at the PC movement, that has wonderful intentions, but can at times be lead astray by a lack of focus on the consequences of too much control over speech and ultimately thought.   Those who are extremely sensitive may have a hard time with this novel.  I will admit that my own foundations were a little shaken after delving into this story.  Ultimately, I think it serves as an apt warning against the sacrifice of liberty in exchange for security. It is not written from a conservative or liberal bent.  You will not come away from this novel feeling propagandized.   However, you may walk away from Utopia X reevaluating your own long held ideals of what a perfect world would actually be like.

As Benjamin Franklin said, “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.”

xoxo

Natalina

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Addition by Toni Jordan

addition toni jordan

We all have quirks.  Some of us have more than others..ahem..but none of us is perfect.  Addition is the tale of one woman who lives with a BIG quirk, and her journey to build a reasonable and fulfilling life around it.

Grace counts things.  Grace counts everything.  She has an extreme form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which compels her to count everything in sight. And the end number must suit her, or she cannot proceed to her next task.  When she eats breakfast, she must first count the number of poppy seeds on her muffin.  This will help her determine how many pieces she must cut the muffin into, which will help her determine precisely how many bites, to take which will determine exactly how many times she must chew the bites before swallowing.  This is Grace’s life.  She’s OK with it.

Except that she’s not really ok.  Her life of counting has interfered with one major thing.  Interpersonal relationships.  Enter Seamus.  Grace meets Seamus at the grocery store when she realizes that she was short one banana.  You see, when you’re shopping, you must buy everything in groups of ten, and Grace only had 9 bananas in her basket.  In her desperation, she steals a banana from the man standing in line next to her.  He confronts her in the parking lot, and thus begins one of the sweetest most amazing courtships I’ve ever read.  And let me tell you, the sex scenes in this book are so hot.  They are awkward and innocent and passionate and real.

Also, this book has some of the best laugh out loud humor I’ve ever found in a novel.  Toni Jordan gives Grace a voice that is both soulful and hysterical (in both definitions of the word).

Addition is more than just a love story.  It is a story about what exactly defines us and what we should do about our personality traits that don’t fit in with societal norms.  Clearly, Grace has a problem.  And yes, she is driven by her counting.  But what should be done about it?  Should we medicate and numb a person in order to relieve them of the one thing that is wrong with them?  The parts of this book where Grace takes medication to get her counting under control are positively heart breaking, and call into question just how we as a society handle people who are not normal.

Actually, the over arching question of Addition is, What IS Normal?  Is there such a thing?  Why do we strive for it, and would we all be better off embracing our manias?

This book reminded me a bit of the film “Lars and the Real Girl” in that it asks the audience to consider whether someone who has a psychological disorder needs drugs or institutionalization…or if the best cure is actually love, compassion, and understanding.

I read this book in 3 hours 53 minutes and 29 seconds… I drank 2 diet cokes and used 6 cubes of ice.  Read Addition, and embrace your inner weirdo.

xoxo

Natalina

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Mary Modern by Camille DeAngelis

mary modern Camille DeAngelis

Mary Modern, by Camille DeAngelis is a tale full of near future intrigue, romance, suspense, and heavy drama. Borrowing some inspiration from that other Mary…Mary Shelley (Frankenstein), Camille DeAngelis has written a tale about the moral and ethical dangers of cloning, as well as what happens to the mind when in a deep state of sorrow and despair.

The book revolves around Lucy Morrigan, a genetics researcher at a Massachusetts University.  She lives a solitary life in a gigantic mansion filled with the memories of her family including the basement lab of her father, who was also involved in the study of genetics and bioengineering.  When she meets fellow professor Gray, they fall for each other, and he moves into the stuffy old house with her. Their relationship blossoms, and is near perfect until  Lucy learns that due to some physical complications, she will be unable to conceive a child. She is truly wrecked by her grief.

As Lucy mourns the loss of her ability to have children, she is overcome by inspiration.  After casting aside the legal and ethical dilemmas she faces,   Lucy decides that she will use the DNA of her grandmother (which is taken from a blood stain on an old apron) and engineer a clone which will be implanted in her womb.  All of the necessary equipment is in the basement lab.  She gets to work and creates the embryo, implanting it herself.

As time passes, her belly becomes huge and impossible to bear, so she has the growing fetus removed (with the help of a trusted but morally opposed colleague) and places it into a big mechanical womb/incubator which was created by her father.  What emerges is a 22 year old (the age she was when she spilled her blood on the apron)  exact replica of Lucy’s grandmother, Mary.

Mary’s memories from 1929 are fully intact, and while she takes some time getting used to her new surroundings (even though she is still living in the house where she last existed) she is soon a very vibrant and likeable character.  Of course, this tale of morally questionable science could not be told without a huge road block.  Mary misses her husband from the past, and becomes adamant that Lucy owes it to her to clone him as well.  In the meantime, Mary and Gray begin to develop feelings for one another, further complicating things for Lucy.  And Mary.  And Gray.

Then there is the matter of the insane preacher, who discovers the secret of how Mary came into existence, and threatens to turn Lucy in to authorities (cloning is strictly illegal, and Lucy’s genetics lab at the University is routinely inspected) unless Lucy creates a clone of Jesus Christ himself.

There is also a side story involving a man who wrote a book from the future, which comes into possession of the Morrigan family.  Exerpts from the book implying some sort of time bending or time travel are placed throughout the book, adding another element of excitement to the story.

Clearly, this novel requires a HUGE suspension of disbelief.  The science is not sound.  Even knowing that the novel is based in the future does not help the cause of buying that one could incubate a full grown human being in mere months from a single embryo.  Also, we must accept the theory that our genes contain a mechanism for storing our memories, in order to believe that Mary could emerge with all of her thoughts and emotions exactly as they had been in her previous life.  However, with the lovely almost old-fashioned prose, and the intriguing tale of morals versus the heart’s desire, Mary Modern is an enjoyable and fantastical tale, that remained in the back of my brain long after reaching the end.

My only complaints are these.  The main character of Lucy, who is at first a sympathetic character, quickly becomes very unlikable.  I wanted to feel for her and her dilemma, and I feel that the story would have been helped if I had been able to emotionally connect with her trials after creating Mary.  Lucy is egotistical, unapologetic, and almost amoral.  Her boyfriend Gray is far more relatable, and his affection for Mary conflicts heartbreakingly with his loyalty and love (although waning) for Lucy.

Also, the book jumps between points of view.  Sometimes we are reading from Lucy’s vantage point, sometimes Mary’s and sometimes Gray’s.  It gets a little confusing as you try to keep track of who is relating the story at any given point.  It also jumps back and forth through time a bit, furthering the frustration at times.

All in all, this story asks the reader to consider many things…who determines what one does with their own body, what is life exactly, and what are the limits of science when it comes to the sanctity of life?  It isn’t preachy, allows the reader to draw their own conclusions, and has a great twist in the end.  However, it is also a cautionary tale, just as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was, and will make you think twice next time you hear about the latest scientific breakthrough in bioengineering.

If you’re looking for a fairytale for modern times, I can think of few that will be as thought provoking and heart wrenching as Mary Modern.

xoxo

Natalina


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The Sacred Book of the Werewolf: A Novel by Victor Pelevin

book The Sacred Book of the Werewolf: A Novel by Victor Pelevin

This has to be one of the most magnificent books I’ve read in ages.  Full of humor, suspense, romance, philosophy, Buddhist principles, and enchanting prose, “The Sacred Book of the Werewolf” is one that I’d recommend a thousand times over.

This is a book about werewolves….actually, a werewolf and a werefox in Russia; Alexander and A Hu-li. 

 A Hu-li is the werefox, who is able to transform herself into an irresistible woman, and use her charms in her occupation as a prostitute.  She hypnotizes her Johns into thinking they’re having sex with her, and she takes their money while retaining her purity.

Alexander is a Russian Intelligence officer…and werewolf.  He and Hu-li fall for each other and enter into a steamy affair that is at once very erotic and terribly sweet. 

But only part of their relationship is sexual.  The rest of it, and perhaps the most intimate, is completely cerebral.  The two talk about everything from religion and art to government and war.  The talks between the two are ultimately what lead to the dramatic change in their relationship, as they attempt to reconcile their need to overpower each other intellectually, physically, and even supernaturally, with the fact that they are hopelessly in love with one another.

But as I said, this is so much more than some paranormal romance.  This book is deep, and at times challenging to read.  The author, Victor Pelevin, takes us on a journey through post Soviet Russia, and laments at the changes in the culture and character of the Country.  Through Alexander, he shows the dangers of globalism to Russia and the rest of the world. In one moving scene, Alexander is in werewolf form, and howls forlornly next to a dried up oil well. 

There is also a deep exploration of suffering and enlightenment in this novel, bringing the principles of Buddhism into the mix.  Throughout, satire and wit are used to highlight much larger issues and agendas, and frankly, it can be enjoyed on either level.

There are major plot twists, huge surprises, and so many tangents, one might be in danger of frustration if the characters weren’t so engaging.  And the seductive, sensual nature of the scenes inside Hu-li’s bomb shelter where she carries out her affair with Alexander….I’m fanning myself just recalling those moments!

So, with an alluring and hypnotic flick of my bushy foxtail, I command you to read and savor this once in a lifetime story.  You will not regret it, I promise you.

xoxo

Natalina

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