Mania is the latest book by Lionel Shriver, author of many books including We Need to Talk About Kevin, which I read a number of years ago.
This book starts in 2011 but not the 2011 we lived through, more an alternative time when the Mental Parity Movement, where everyone is equally clever, takes hold. The book, based in Voltaire Pennsylvania centres around Pearson Converse, her partner Wade and her children Darwin, Zanzibar and Lucy. Pearson is anti government and her friend Emory Ruth, a journalist and life long friend is not. The story flips forwards and backwards in time including into the future, 2027. It touches on many themes including friendship, family and politics.
This is not a book for everyone, but I personally found it different, interesting and thought provoking, although a little challenging to grasp at times. It is not your average read in terms of concept and, if I am honest I lost my way with it in the mid section, but I kept with it and began to feel compelled and drawn to the story and Pearson as a character towards the latter stages. It will be a great book club read as I am sure it will split opinion and create discussion which is always a positive!