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[books 2012] the new Ken Macleod
May. 13th, 2012 08:49 pm25. Intrusion by Ken Macleod
A near-future UK where everything is supposedly wonderful, but actually a complete nightmare. The nanny state has completely taken over and women can't drink unless they can prove they're not pregnant, and they're barred from most workplaces because these premises might not be safe if they were pregnant.
It centers on a pregnant lady who refuses to take "the fix", a pill that fixes most genetic defects in the foetus. Unlike anti-vaxers, it doesn't compromise herd immunity, and any problems that do come up can be fixed easily and cheaply at an early age. Now, if she were a religious person, she would be allowed to be exempt. But even though the fix is not compulsory, her health visitor and social services are a little too interested in her.
This book is atypical of Ken in that although it's still political, it's light on the theory (except for a couple brief passages) and heavy on the angry-making. The parallels to 1984 are explicit. It's much more a "this is exactly where we're headed, people" than his other stuff - the UK has become a 2-party state - Labour vs The Liberal and Conservative Party. Not subtle.
Good, very good, but it will make you very angry.
A near-future UK where everything is supposedly wonderful, but actually a complete nightmare. The nanny state has completely taken over and women can't drink unless they can prove they're not pregnant, and they're barred from most workplaces because these premises might not be safe if they were pregnant.
It centers on a pregnant lady who refuses to take "the fix", a pill that fixes most genetic defects in the foetus. Unlike anti-vaxers, it doesn't compromise herd immunity, and any problems that do come up can be fixed easily and cheaply at an early age. Now, if she were a religious person, she would be allowed to be exempt. But even though the fix is not compulsory, her health visitor and social services are a little too interested in her.
This book is atypical of Ken in that although it's still political, it's light on the theory (except for a couple brief passages) and heavy on the angry-making. The parallels to 1984 are explicit. It's much more a "this is exactly where we're headed, people" than his other stuff - the UK has become a 2-party state - Labour vs The Liberal and Conservative Party. Not subtle.
Good, very good, but it will make you very angry.
