Review:
This book surprised me in so many ways. It’s set in a dystopian American society that somehow simultaneously feels unfathomable and very possible at the same time. This book tackles intense and complex topics of racism, patriotism, and what fear will make people do. It’s clear Ng took inspiration from history such as the Japanese internment camps in the U.S. during WWII, the treatment of the Chinese and many other Asian nationalities during Covid, and even the containment centers at the border for this book. This book provoked deep thought and important conversational topics. It challenged how people would react during a crisis and how far they would let their government control them and censor them in the name of “freedom” and “safety.”
Each character was complex in their own way and used their own fears and intense need to protect those they love to motivate their actions. My only drawback of this novel was in typical Ng fashion so much was left unanswered. I left with a laundry list of questions I wish I had answers to and a future I wanted to know much more about.
I highly encourage you to read this book, maybe even with a book club or buddy read to have some of the deep conversations that emerge from it.
Rating:
4.5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫