I remember as a young adult going through an intense science fiction phase. In my literary naïveté science fiction, then, was about space, robots and galaxies far, far away. I think I lived on a sole diet of Isaac Asimov for many months. If, like the younger me, that is your expectation when a book is described as science-fiction then be warned for this book is so, so much more than that.
Following Asimov, though, I progressed to the work of Philip K Dick which broadened the science-fiction perspective for me. From the space, the robots and the far away galaxies there was a more dystopian, apocalyptic feel to the work. Is it my imagination or is science fiction an undersubscribed genre for today’s authors? Derek B. Miller’s Radio Life might just be the book to change that.
I guess as you read the opening paragraphs you might be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled into a reworking of Frank Herbert’s Dune. But as you read on you find yourself immersed and enveloped into a dystopian, post-apocalyptic thriller that will have you gripped from beginning to end.
‘When Lilly was first Chief Engineer at The Commonwealth, nearly 50 years ago, the Central Archive wasn’t yet the greatest repository of knowledge in the known world, protected by scribes copying every piece of found material - books, maps, even scraps of paper - and disseminating them by Archive Runners to hidden off-site locations for safe keeping. Back then, there was no Order of Silence to create and maintain secret routes deep into the sand-covered towers of the Old World or into the northern forests beyond Sea Glass lake. Back then, the world was still quiet, because Lilly hadn’t yet found the Harrington Box.’
Thus runs the opening paragraph of the blurb. And if that isn’t enough to whet your appetite I’m not sure what is. Miller has created an alternate civilisation and culture resplendent with jargon and language idioms that require the reader to behave actively. This is not a book for the passive reader who just wants to sit back and be entertained with a nice little story. Oh no. This is going to have you on the edge of your seat in some places and musing intently on the current state of the world and what our future might be. Knowledge and wisdom are key. What we have, how we interpret it, what we do with it, and what it means for a future are some of the concepts explored in this novel. I found the book to be perceptive in its insights.
Populated with some strong female characters, women of action and women of intellect, our reader journey runs alongside theirs. Lilly, Elimisha and Alessandra are pivotal characters in the progression and development of this post apocalyptic society. But there are men who play their part as well. But as in all cultures and societies things don’t always run smoothly. People seldom share the same beliefs. And those who oppose can seek to destroy. But who is right? And who is wrong? And our science fiction, dystopian, post-apocalyptic story has a political slant that will determine some of the actions and interactions.
I found it an immersive and absorbing read. Whilst reading of an imagined future world I couldn’t help but think of the current world and the situation we are in at the moment. There is even a section titled “lockdown”! And that’s as well as the titled parts that recall Dante’s poem, Paradiso, Purgatorio and Inferno. It’s a very substantial book and I guess if you want to you can just enjoy it as a story. There is plenty of action, plenty of intrigue. But I defy anyone to read this book and not come away from it thinking deeply about what they’ve just experienced. For me, it was one of those books where, as I was reading it, I was thinking I’m going to have to read this again. For there are some truths here amongst the fictional narrative. Truths that we might do well to take note of and learn from.
‘Is it knowledge that will save us…or ignorance?’
I was wondering as I read whether this might translate to the large screen - Derek B Miller might be come Derek B. DeMille!
Thanks to Ella Patel and Jo Fletcher Books for a gifted copy of this book and an opportunity to participate in the social media blast.
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