880 pages and surprisingly readable, considering the length and topic. What it is, big picture, is a near-future dystopian sci-fi novel based on a what we all hope is a worst case scenario for Global warming. The book follows four-to-five groups of characters through the impending global calamity. One is a over-sexed uber-charismatic activist earth mama and her adoring grad-school creative writer partner (obviously a stand in for the writer, he has the last word) – they end up running an organization called A Fierce Blue Fire, that manages to create a coalition of right wing republicans and environmental The second is a brilliant eco-biologist modeler of things like methane hydrates being released from the ocean floor - among other things accelerating the cascading effects of climate change; three, is a brilliant Muslim-America computer whiz, creating algorithms for betting on the NBA, finances, and global environmental collapse; he ends up being a consultant/lobbyist in in Washington and gives us a glimpse into that world; thThere's a white trash meth addict that's sort of the roadkill on the highway to the capitalist future; and then there's a underground network of "eco-terrorists" sort of like the 60's Weathermen and finally there's even a an advertising art director. So, with all of these separate threads, the book takes a while to set up and get rolling. About 180 pages. There are a number of reviews online where people say "I didn't have any idea what was going on for the first 200 pages but hang in there!" And it is worth the ride. Some of the characters are a bit cringey, admittedly. No one is either not incredibly hot, or brilliant and usually both. Kate Morris, the hot earth mama activist is sort of the leftist version of the pixie dream girl and the fact that she can't stop fucking everyone in sight is a transparently literary symbol - of course she stands for irrepressible, fecund nature. Her writer-boy sidekick is a bit prissy. But aren't we all. But that's about where the negativity ends. For the most part the characters are likeable and smart and though the narrative and language pushes the boundaries of believability - especially in the case of Ashir Al-Hasan, the mathemetican/consultant to DC insiders. But while the language may push the bounds of credulity, the circumstances and storyline, unfortunately, do not. The way the carbon interests double down. The way environmentalism is coopted in the name of "environmental security." How the oligarchical interests-that-be capitalize on the fear and diminishing resources to tighten their grip on control and elevate profits. The widening gap between the haves and have-nots. The public acceptance of what is deemed acceptable in terms of gun violence, misinformation and cataclysmic weather events. Some low lights. A fire takes out LA. one of the characters pulls some strings so that they can take a FEMA-style suburban into the firestorm to save his daughter. This is one of the most action-movie type sequences in the book and Markley pulls it off with room to spare. The rising sea levels, the hurricanes, the dust storms. The fact that only a black woman republican president can get through an environmental legislation, which is then gutted because of a an eco-terrorist event. Actually, worse than gutted; it becomes a stealth delivery device allowing surveillance, suspension of habeas corpus and all sorts of vile acts in the name of democracy - all from a gay, good looking ex-military cowboy senator-cum-president who made all of his money in private security; The capitol is taken over by environmentalists. Like if Jan 6 had worked, but non-violent Burning Man. But then of course it gets uglier than ugly. The rise of an ultra right charismatic Christian leader who holds his gatherings in a a VR "Worlde" - these worldes are a big thing and most people are retreating into these alternate realities. And meanwhile, the weather just keeps getting hotter, more unpredictably disastrous and the seas keep rising. In the end, people sorta have to come around and he cobbles together what has to pass for a happy ending. But it's a mess. And honestly, the book reflects the messiness. It jumps narrators and at times, devolves into a pastiche of New Yorker articles, mindover asides, Congressional white papers, tabloid headlines ... but it all works. Some of the commentary on pop culture is even "lol." The stuff we fiddle with while the world burns. I'd say it's required reading. It's well-researched and has given my own personal views on the environment, technology, social and political behaviors and policies and the economic/financial fallout and ramifications for our "way of life" I only wish the near future dystopia painted in this brave book weren't all-too-plausible. As always, let's hope for the best, focus on what's good in people but be realistic and prepare for the worst. Here's the NY Times Review for a more professionalish take.
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