Small-Minded Giants

One of the most original and thought provoking books I’ve reviewed in ages. This lengthy, futuristic tale takes on a whole gamut of modern-day issues such as terrorism, environmental destruction, corporate corruption and more.

In the future, the ice age has come and a few settlements found ways to survive. One such is Ash Harbour. This is set in the Southern hemisphere in a mountain crater domed over against the prevailing ice. No new resources can be acquired so everything must be re-cycled. This is the job of four major organisations, vying for power and not above massive corruption. Overarching all is The Machine, source of all energy and pivotal to who has control. The individual is only part of the machine and utterly disposable.

‘It just uses you up and spits you out. You can’t change the whole system, and they’ll kill you for trying. We’re cogs; we don’t count for squat – all you can do is look out for yourself.’

Political, aggressive and macho, this’ll give lads and ladettes plenty to get to grips with and to debate over in their common rooms. It is stylishly and skilfully written and no doubt will catch the eye of judges for prizes. I’d vote for it.