In America City Chris Beckett gives us a frighteningly convincing vision of the future in a 22nd century world suffering the devastating effects of man-made climate change.
Most of the action takes place in North America, much of the rest of the world having descended into chaos and anarchy. Within the US extreme weather is forcing large-scale migration north and east creating tensions and hostility in the receiving areas.
Politicians and pressure groups manoeuvre to enlist support for their proposed and probably only temporary solutions, often using morally compromising tactics which include sophisticated methods of generating fake news.
We also see events through the eyes of individuals trying to cope with the upheaval in their own lives. The characters are believable and mostly engaging and sympathetic so it is easy to identify with their dilemmas. We may also be challenged to examine the stories we tell ourselves to justify our own choices, since many of the themes explored are relevant today.
There are some great futuristic touches, imagining how language, music and technology will develop.
This is a thoroughly satisfying and thought-provoking read, with an engaging story skilfully told.
Most of the action takes place in North America, much of the rest of the world having descended into chaos and anarchy. Within the US extreme weather is forcing large-scale migration north and east creating tensions and hostility in the receiving areas.
Politicians and pressure groups manoeuvre to enlist support for their proposed and probably only temporary solutions, often using morally compromising tactics which include sophisticated methods of generating fake news.
We also see events through the eyes of individuals trying to cope with the upheaval in their own lives. The characters are believable and mostly engaging and sympathetic so it is easy to identify with their dilemmas. We may also be challenged to examine the stories we tell ourselves to justify our own choices, since many of the themes explored are relevant today.
There are some great futuristic touches, imagining how language, music and technology will develop.
This is a thoroughly satisfying and thought-provoking read, with an engaging story skilfully told.