As an exhausted Sara Hussein is making her way through customs after a work trip, ready to get home to her husband and kids, she’s pulled aside for questioning. Though she hasn’t actually done anything, she has what is essentially a jacked up Alexa and her dreams indicate that she’s going to do something bad. She’s sent to live in a government facility in the middle of the desert where everything is monitored and returning to society seems less likely by the day. As her release date is pushed back yet again, a new detainee arrives that throws the balance off.
It is painfully simple to see how we can ease into a situation like this. A new tech makes your life better – sign up, sure, why not? Check the box that allows them to capture your data – nothing will come of that anyway, right? But technology is fallible and relying solely on an algorithm is dangerous. Losing all autonomy is an actual possibility. This near-future dystopian novel is like a combo of School for Good Mothers and Chain-Gang All-Stars, two of the best books I’ve read in recent memory. Lalami has created a complex character in Sara. She is determined but defeated, loving but exhausted, cynical but calm. She is every working mother. She is every wary partner (every wary citizen, for that matter).
This book has never felt as important and relevant has it has this week. Sara feels like she is a slave to the system – a deeply unfair system that punishes immigrants and always asks questions later. This book is infuriating and we should all be furious right now.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Pair with: Golden Road Mango Cart wheat ale
Peaches to Apples 