The mystical nature of this story forces us to accept its premise—a black fog filled with glittering insects has killed off almost everybody on the earth—while leaving us silently asking “Why?”
Yet we are thrust into a world that no longer asks this question. This is a world in which a meager number of human beings eke out an existence that is steeped equally in beauty and decay. Decrepit buildings that can’t be repaired are brightened with color, paintings, sketches, sculpture, flowers, etc. Almost everybody has an occupation or an interest that fulfills their lives and gives them meaning. While swords haven’t been beaten into plowshares, former military buildings and tools have been turned towards peaceable purposes.
With hints of mind control, whispers of unspeakable experiments and a mind control that can send people into a deep slumber, it’s clear that something sinister is happening behind the scenes. It takes a few pages before we learn that these people aren’t by themselves on the island. A first-person narrative partially reveals itself to be a voice inside their heads, spying on their personal thoughts, watching their actions and spurring them towards beneficial behavior.
This is a startling mystery. What is this voice? From where did it emerge? Was it created or did it come into being on its own? Is it benevolent in allowing people to relate happily to each other (i.e., preventing murder) or malevolent in its ability to control people?
The author has managed a tale reminiscent of a classic Star Trek episode yet oddly original. There is discontent simmering underneath this bucolic existence. Certain people question the order; happiness is not everywhere. Trouble is brewing in paradise.
Yet we are thrust into a world that no longer asks this question. This is a world in which a meager number of human beings eke out an existence that is steeped equally in beauty and decay. Decrepit buildings that can’t be repaired are brightened with color, paintings, sketches, sculpture, flowers, etc. Almost everybody has an occupation or an interest that fulfills their lives and gives them meaning. While swords haven’t been beaten into plowshares, former military buildings and tools have been turned towards peaceable purposes.
With hints of mind control, whispers of unspeakable experiments and a mind control that can send people into a deep slumber, it’s clear that something sinister is happening behind the scenes. It takes a few pages before we learn that these people aren’t by themselves on the island. A first-person narrative partially reveals itself to be a voice inside their heads, spying on their personal thoughts, watching their actions and spurring them towards beneficial behavior.
This is a startling mystery. What is this voice? From where did it emerge? Was it created or did it come into being on its own? Is it benevolent in allowing people to relate happily to each other (i.e., preventing murder) or malevolent in its ability to control people?
The author has managed a tale reminiscent of a classic Star Trek episode yet oddly original. There is discontent simmering underneath this bucolic existence. Certain people question the order; happiness is not everywhere. Trouble is brewing in paradise.