I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

Initially published in 1997, this book was translated into English in 2019, and I stumbled across it earlier this year. Although it's a short book, it packs a lot into its 160+ pages. 

Forty women are held captive in a cage underground. Their living conditions are spartan, and the rules, enforced by guards with whips, are draconian. Years pass, and nothing breaks up the monotony except the delivery of their two meals a day. Then, while being served dinner, a siren sounds and the guards, leaving the serving hatch open, take off. Initially fearful of their freedom, the women, led by a young girl, escape their cage and begin a journey to find civilization and answers as to why they were confined. As they struggle to survive in a desolate world that bears no resemblance to Earth, they learn to rely on each other and form a microsociety.

Despite their depressing conditions and uncertain future, the women form bonds and develop deep relationships to carry them through. They fight to maintain their humanity in a hostile environment that could just as easily break them. I found this to be a haunting book and, at the same time, a tribute to the human spirit and the importance of friendships. 

4/5 stars.

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Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver

 

This is a good science fiction novel set in a dystopian near-future world. It pits AI against humans and throws in a good murder mystery for good measure.

Marcus Tully, an investigative journalist, is given the story of his life: The two candidates vying for world leader of a climate-endangered Earth are an Artificial intelligence named Solomon and former US President Lockwood. Tully may have dirt on Lockwood that could sway the election, but when Solomon's creator is murdered, Tully suspects a broader conspiracy. As Tully begins investigating both the murder and possible corruption, he faces moral and ethical dilemmas in his quest for the truth, as well as a threat to his life.

Numerous subplots made the story hard to follow at times, but for the most part, this is a well-paced, engaging novel. I enjoyed Tully's quest for the truth and the hurdles he faced obtaining it. I especially liked pitting an AI against a human to see who is best at navigating the ecological quagmire that is Earth. I found the ending rather abrupt, but it laid the groundwork for a possible series, which I look forward to. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Del Ray, for an a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

In this post-apocalyptic world, where global warming has melted all the glaciers and water levels have risen dangerously high, All the Water in the World forecasts a future full of uncertainty.

Thirteen-year-old Nonie, her family, and other scientists have found high ground on the roof of New York's American Museum of Natural History. Using Central Park to grow food and hunt animals, this small group is also cataloging the exhibits with an eye to the future. A hypercane strikes and breaches the flood walls, killing most of the people at the museum. Nonie, her sister, her father, and one scientist survive. Taking a canoe from an exhibit, they head north on the swollen river, hoping to reach the family farm in the Berkshires. It's a trip filled with dangers, both natural and human.

This wonderfully written book depicts a world where the best and worst of human nature and society are displayed. It also shows what might happen if the climate crisis is not addressed. It's a chilling tale that is engrossing and frightening. 

4/5 stars.

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The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

 

I was looking forward to this book because the premise sounded similar to the movie Minority Report. While there are similarities, The Dream Hotel fell short of capturing the suspense and drama of the film.

Dreams are used to predict possible crimes in the near future. After returning from a conference in London, Sara, a wife and new mother, is flagged by the Risk Assessment Administration as a danger to her husband. She is sent to a retention facility for twenty-one days of observation. Still, as the observation period turns into months, she wonders what it takes to prove her innocence. Learning to adhere to the unwritten rules, Sara's world is upset when a new detainee, Eisley, shows up and upsets the norm.

This book starts slowly and never gains momentum until the end, which feels rushed. I felt frustrated for Sara and her fellow detainees but could never fully relate to them. For these reasons, I had difficulty caring enough to finish the book—I kept thinking it would get better, but it never did. Given today’s AI controversy, I did find it thoughtful and a bit scary. 

3/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pantheon, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 4, 2025.

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Burn by Peter Heller

 I loved Heller's The River and The Guide. Both were back-to-nature murder mysteries that painted a wild environment filled with natural and artificial danger. My favorite book of his is The Dog Stars, a dystopian work that captured my imagination. Burn is another dystopian work of fiction that is all too probable, given today's political climate. That is not to say it's political, just that it is easy to imagine right now.

Childhood friends Jess and Storey embark on their annual hunting trip in Maine to escape the political turmoil sweeping the United States. They emerge to find towns decimated and being shot at by both secessionists and the U.S. military. Living off their wits and scavenging food, they try to get to neutral territory and work their way home. However, an unexpected encounter alters their plans, and they must adjust to new circumstances using their survival skills.

This book discusses male friendships and the dangers of clinging to an ideology at the expense of family. It has many flashbacks to show why the bond between Jess and Storey is so strong. I liked that it does not take a political stand or seek to explore belief systems. As always, Heller does an excellent job weaving nature into an intriguing plot with well-drawn characters. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is August 13, 2024.

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Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

 

Well, this certainly is not an uplifting book—the dark subject matter combined with the writing style made for a difficult read.

In the near future, Ireland enacts the Emergency Powers Act for an unspecified "ongoing crisis facing the state." This has granted the power to the Garda National Services Bureau to detain so-called dissidents and restrict citizen freedoms. Eilish Stack's husband Larry, the deputy general secretary of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, is taken into custody and soon disappears into the system. Frantic and trying to protect her four children, Eilish tries to discover what happened to Larry. What follows is a portrayal of a country in decline as more citizens' rights are taken away in the name of national security. It is a frightening scenario.

I don't know what the author was attempting to do with this writing experiment, but it failed. There are few paragraphs, no breaks for dialogue, no quotation marks, just long paragraphs with thoughts, descriptions, and dialogue mixed together. Although the story is engaging and moves along rapidly, it is depressing to watch Ireland turn into a dictatorship. My opinions are in the minority, but I can't see why this book is so highly rated. 

2.5/5 stars.

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