The Resistance

Following on from The Declaration about a dystopian society where immortality is a reality resulting in children being banned to cap population growth, Malley continues the story of Peter and Anna who were brought up under this repressive regime. In The Resistance Anna is declared legal and is entitled to take the drug Longevity via which immortality is attained. This raises an ethical dilemma, given her background and knowledge of the society upon which the immortals exist. Will she take the drug?

Switching largely from Anna’s perspective to that of Peter, a disenfranchised ‘surplus’ who was raised in hiding, the novel charts Peter’s quest to overthrow a rule he sees as restrictive and incapable of change. Opportunity presents itself when he is able to work at Pincent Pharma, a drug company. Narrative thrust is achieved through exposition around Peter’s efforts and the chilling outlining of a society that relies solely upon its elders proving itself unequal to renewal or regeneration.