#65 For Darkness shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreud
We have pushed too far. Our growing experiments with genetics have lead to the Reduction, leaving a large portion of the population
“reduced,” or mentally handicapped and mute. Those not impacted by the Reduction have swung to the other extreme, choosing to live lives completely shut away from technology. Elliott North is one of these “Luddites.” Her thoughts are haunted by memories of Kai, a childhood friend who could have become more before he ran away four years ago. Elliott had the opportunity to leave with him but chose to stay and take responsibility for the farm. Now Kai has returned as the wealthy and successful Captain Wentworth, who clearly still resents Elliott's rejection.
When I heard that Diana Peterfreud was interpreting Jane Austen's Persuasion, I was a little confused. This was not so much because it was a science fiction version of Persuasion (admittedly, a unique choice) but because it was a young adult version of Persuasion. Anne Elliot (the protagonist of Persuasion) is an older Austen heroine, nearing spinsterhood, and the themes of regret and second chances give the book a more mature feeling. I was happy to see that despite my skepticism, For Darkness Shows the Stars does a really good job of interpreting these characters and themes. I found Elliott in particular to be a great heroine, intelligent and mature, yet understandably conflicted about the world around her.
The thing that initially drew me into For Darkness Shows the Stars was the strong worldbuilding. The idea of the Reduction and the Luddites cleverly puts the story into a setting which resembles that of Regency England. As a result, there aren't many times when the characters old fashioned actions feel out of place (a problem I had with the recent young adult interpretation of Jane Eyre). This unique setting also works as a dystopia. Today, some people respond to genetic tampering in food by eating organic produce. It makes sense that an extreme consequence from genetic manipulation would result in an extreme response. Of course to today's reader, the way that the Reduced and Posts (children of reduced who are just as intelligent as the Luddites) are treated seems monstrous, but I can understand how the world got to this monstrous point. Another strength of For Darkness Shows the Stars is although it pulls it's characters and basic storylines from Persuasion, it isn't slavishly devoted to it. This results in a story that still has surprises for even fans of Persuasion.
For Darkness Shows the Stars is a satisfying young adult sci-fi version of one of my favorite Jane Austen novels. It's true that conflicts seem to be resolved way to quickly at the end of the book, but this didn't bother me too much. The book as a whole reads very quickly, is filled with likable characters, and has a nice romantic storyline. I would recommend it to people who like Jane Austen and sci-fi, as well as fans of dystopian literature with romantic undertones.
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 402 pages
Source: Lewiston Public Library
Other books I've read by this author: this is my first
Next I will be reviewing Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
xposted to temporaryworlds, bookish and goodreads
“reduced,” or mentally handicapped and mute. Those not impacted by the Reduction have swung to the other extreme, choosing to live lives completely shut away from technology. Elliott North is one of these “Luddites.” Her thoughts are haunted by memories of Kai, a childhood friend who could have become more before he ran away four years ago. Elliott had the opportunity to leave with him but chose to stay and take responsibility for the farm. Now Kai has returned as the wealthy and successful Captain Wentworth, who clearly still resents Elliott's rejection.
When I heard that Diana Peterfreud was interpreting Jane Austen's Persuasion, I was a little confused. This was not so much because it was a science fiction version of Persuasion (admittedly, a unique choice) but because it was a young adult version of Persuasion. Anne Elliot (the protagonist of Persuasion) is an older Austen heroine, nearing spinsterhood, and the themes of regret and second chances give the book a more mature feeling. I was happy to see that despite my skepticism, For Darkness Shows the Stars does a really good job of interpreting these characters and themes. I found Elliott in particular to be a great heroine, intelligent and mature, yet understandably conflicted about the world around her.
The thing that initially drew me into For Darkness Shows the Stars was the strong worldbuilding. The idea of the Reduction and the Luddites cleverly puts the story into a setting which resembles that of Regency England. As a result, there aren't many times when the characters old fashioned actions feel out of place (a problem I had with the recent young adult interpretation of Jane Eyre). This unique setting also works as a dystopia. Today, some people respond to genetic tampering in food by eating organic produce. It makes sense that an extreme consequence from genetic manipulation would result in an extreme response. Of course to today's reader, the way that the Reduced and Posts (children of reduced who are just as intelligent as the Luddites) are treated seems monstrous, but I can understand how the world got to this monstrous point. Another strength of For Darkness Shows the Stars is although it pulls it's characters and basic storylines from Persuasion, it isn't slavishly devoted to it. This results in a story that still has surprises for even fans of Persuasion.
For Darkness Shows the Stars is a satisfying young adult sci-fi version of one of my favorite Jane Austen novels. It's true that conflicts seem to be resolved way to quickly at the end of the book, but this didn't bother me too much. The book as a whole reads very quickly, is filled with likable characters, and has a nice romantic storyline. I would recommend it to people who like Jane Austen and sci-fi, as well as fans of dystopian literature with romantic undertones.
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 402 pages
Source: Lewiston Public Library
Other books I've read by this author: this is my first
Next I will be reviewing Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
xposted to temporaryworlds, bookish and goodreads