Review of 2084
1 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "2084" by Kadon Landon Peterson.]
No one could ever conceive the enormous tragedy that a delay of no more than five minutes in the arrival of a train could cause in this dystopian future, where every aspect of life is precisely controlled by the so-called World Peace Authority. Likewise, nobody could imagine what witnessing this incident would trigger in the head of Dune, the strange protagonist of the story. 2084, by Kadon Landon Peterson, tells the story of Dune Burnswick, one of the last “Nats” still existing in this world. To see someone who was born naturally, in a world where that is forbidden, can be strange and even frowned upon. Dune's psychological condition and his past, have made him a deeply disturbed and lonely man, who will not hesitate to carry out his goals, no matter the consequences or who he might hurt in the process.
Dune wants to destroy the WPA, but in order to defeat this sick system of control and all its followers, he must work hand to hand with a group of people he can't stand, and who in turn, can't stand him. His only consolation, Fennec. A woman genetically modified to have features similar to those of a fox, with whom he has a strange relationship, as she is the only one who can understand him and his thoughts without judging him, since she has her own inner demons with which together, they can identify; and Dune's unborn daughter, whom he cares for and protects zealously.
As the story progresses, the viewer gets to know the context in which the story takes place and the events that led to the world ending the way it did, through the thoughts and inner reflection of the protagonist. At the same time, we get to know the character's beliefs and opinions, as well as the reasons behind his actions, through his interaction with other characters that, although he considers insufferable, he easily manages to analyze, understand, and thus, use to his advantage. Not before feeling for a few lucky or perhaps unlucky ones some sympathy.
Although it is an interesting story, full of mystery and complex characters with well-constructed pasts and motivations, Dune's constant and extensive introspection, while allowing the reader to contextualize, can make the reading a bit slow in the first half of the book. Still, I find the story, in addition to being very well written, to be striking as it presents a perspective of the story from the point of view of a character who can in no way be called a hero or a villain, a character far from perfect, but with relatively good intentions towards those he likes, as long as they don't get in his way.
Personally, I was very much struck by, and I think it is one of the reasons why I got really hooked with the story, the way in which the terms "breed" or "breeding" take a great relevance within the story from beginning to end for each and every one of the characters, and even for the dramatic universe itself, as they all seem to relate to it in some way, affecting the progression of the story, although only Dune gets to realize it and explain it from his own point of view.
All in all, it is a book that anyone with a taste for Sci-fi and psychological thriller stories might come to like. However, due to its highly sexual and violent content, I consider it a book recommended only for adults, as these are not topics that are taken lightly in the narrative. Finally, for its great writing, depth and arc of transformation of the characters, and construction of the dramatic universe, I can say that it is a story that deserves, without any doubt, 4 out of 4 stars.
******
2084
View: on Bookshelves |
No one could ever conceive the enormous tragedy that a delay of no more than five minutes in the arrival of a train could cause in this dystopian future, where every aspect of life is precisely controlled by the so-called World Peace Authority. Likewise, nobody could imagine what witnessing this incident would trigger in the head of Dune, the strange protagonist of the story. 2084, by Kadon Landon Peterson, tells the story of Dune Burnswick, one of the last “Nats” still existing in this world. To see someone who was born naturally, in a world where that is forbidden, can be strange and even frowned upon. Dune's psychological condition and his past, have made him a deeply disturbed and lonely man, who will not hesitate to carry out his goals, no matter the consequences or who he might hurt in the process.
Dune wants to destroy the WPA, but in order to defeat this sick system of control and all its followers, he must work hand to hand with a group of people he can't stand, and who in turn, can't stand him. His only consolation, Fennec. A woman genetically modified to have features similar to those of a fox, with whom he has a strange relationship, as she is the only one who can understand him and his thoughts without judging him, since she has her own inner demons with which together, they can identify; and Dune's unborn daughter, whom he cares for and protects zealously.
As the story progresses, the viewer gets to know the context in which the story takes place and the events that led to the world ending the way it did, through the thoughts and inner reflection of the protagonist. At the same time, we get to know the character's beliefs and opinions, as well as the reasons behind his actions, through his interaction with other characters that, although he considers insufferable, he easily manages to analyze, understand, and thus, use to his advantage. Not before feeling for a few lucky or perhaps unlucky ones some sympathy.
Although it is an interesting story, full of mystery and complex characters with well-constructed pasts and motivations, Dune's constant and extensive introspection, while allowing the reader to contextualize, can make the reading a bit slow in the first half of the book. Still, I find the story, in addition to being very well written, to be striking as it presents a perspective of the story from the point of view of a character who can in no way be called a hero or a villain, a character far from perfect, but with relatively good intentions towards those he likes, as long as they don't get in his way.
Personally, I was very much struck by, and I think it is one of the reasons why I got really hooked with the story, the way in which the terms "breed" or "breeding" take a great relevance within the story from beginning to end for each and every one of the characters, and even for the dramatic universe itself, as they all seem to relate to it in some way, affecting the progression of the story, although only Dune gets to realize it and explain it from his own point of view.
All in all, it is a book that anyone with a taste for Sci-fi and psychological thriller stories might come to like. However, due to its highly sexual and violent content, I consider it a book recommended only for adults, as these are not topics that are taken lightly in the narrative. Finally, for its great writing, depth and arc of transformation of the characters, and construction of the dramatic universe, I can say that it is a story that deserves, without any doubt, 4 out of 4 stars.
******
2084
View: on Bookshelves |
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