sholalohi

This book tells the humerous tale of a future dystopia where the hierarchy is based on coulour perception. The vision of human beings has changed and selective colour blindness is the norm. The protagonist (Eddie Russet) has lived for 20 years in this dystopia without realising so but 4 days change everything. The world seems pleasant enough to eddie but as the story moves on we discover more about this world which has parralels withour own and others in recnet history. There is a strict hierarchy, and underclass, and the outcasts of society who are feared, blindly following the teachings of a long dead writer. There is also the business of social clmbing and arranged marriages either to improve your own social status or to sell your children for cash. colour is everything: status, wealth, medicne and addiction. eddie learns of the seedier side of the world as he lives on the outskirts of society but as the adventure moves on he discovers more of the seedier side of the apparently benign society. Initially aiming to progress in the siciety and marry for prestige eddie finds a love interest who teaches him about the alternate view of society; after several threats and some attempts to kill him first. Towards the end the book also starts to explore the darker sides nd the cost of benevolance and victory. Besides the darker sides explored here there is all the humour of whitty banter and a woman with an attitude that you would expect from Jasper Fforde. As the closing of this book leaves more questions than it answers there is clearly scope for sequels and a series, even though the book stands perfectly complete as a work in its own right.

2023-01-22 17:22