Shikasta

[ethelfleda]

Shikasta - a book I didn't finish. Mainly because of its very strong religo-fascist overtones; everything is wrong in the world because we are out of touch with the cosmic plan. If we were in touch with the cosmic plan and unfailingly, unquestioningly obedient to it we'd all be happy and everything would be wonderful. Disobedience is called the '

Comments

[silvertarna]

Pro-eugenics in 1979? That astounds me in books without swastikas on the front and a title like 'White Power Rise Up: The Jewish Conspiracy' or something. I'll make a note to avoid.

[ethelfleda]

Indeed - that's why I thought it must be from, say, the 1920s when you could write like that without people batting an eyelid. It's not an isolated thing, the "eugenicists" are mentioned numerous times as a profession, along with mentions of trying to breed the "stock" correctly. And this book is recommended by a lot of people, and has good reviews!

And yeah, probably a better title for the book would be "Judeo-Christian Mysticism Nazism A-Go-Go".

[ibid]

I think it must have been ironical, her other works (admittedly I've only read her short fiction) hardly endorse such a worldview

[ethelfleda]

That's why I checked the wiki on it - no, this seems to have been deadly serious, influenced by Sufi mysticism.

[ibid]

Yes I checked too and now I'm worried.
However don't condemn her entirely - her African fiction is excellent and often quietly subversive. But I know to avoid the sci fi!