Eden The Final Solution - Pascal Bouquillard

 The most chilling dystopian fictions are those that offer us a timeline that is not so far removed from our own. A timeline that we can see in the distance approaching ominously. When you add to that a main character called Winston and some supporting characters called Julia, Emmanuel, O Brien and Catherine (does the ‘C’ or ‘K’ matter?) the reader is catapulted into an Orwellian frame of mind. Oh, and much of the narrative takes place in 2084. Homage to Cormac McCarthy and maybe Philip K Dick too sneak into the plot of Pascal Bouquillard’s mesmerizing novel. But most chilling of all, once you are immersed fully into the fiction, is ‘The Final Solution’ which is surely there to echo the Nazi euphemism for genocide. I apologize if that may be construed as a spoiler. It won’t be for many, but I appreciate that perhaps younger readers may not be familiar with the ‘Final Solution’.

Good dystopian fiction takes a current reality or realities and pushes them forward to  boundaries or beyond. But to work there must be a logic to the pushing of these boundaries. Is there a logic in Eden? I should say so. And how!

A common theme in the world of dystopia is some kind of dictator, some all-powerful, all-knowing individual, whose obsessions carry them over the brink of normalcy. Here it is an unendearing character, Nucleus, who is running the show. He names his children, Christ, and Electra J! That gives you plenty to conjure with!

We can see how issues such as genetic modification, our enslavement  to wealth, our embracing of recreational substances can create an apocalypse of sorts. And something that the novel suggested to me was that you take everything to extremes and ask the question whether there’s any redemption or way back from the devastation. I won’t go down the spoiler route to enlighten you, you need to read the book for yourself!

This appears to be a first novel. But it doesn’t read like one. It reads like an experienced author comfortable in his writing skin. It’s a powerful, muscular almost, narrative that draws the reader willingly along. Whilst much of it is dark, and I’ve mentioned chilling before, there are some lighter moments. I loved the writers use of Pear and Androgene instead of Apple and Android! And there are some passages that could’ve come straight out of Henry Miller. 

None of us know what is ahead. We can hazard a guess. We can almost see the way. some things are headed. When you get old like I am, there’s a fear for the younger generations. The technological age may well be our downfall, if it isn’t already. That and money…….

If you enjoy dystopian fiction. If you revere Orwell and other writers of his ilk.And if you philosophize about what lies ahead for this planet, and for mankind then this book is perfect for you.

My thanks to the author for an inscribed copy via Library thing.