In a future Thailand,
calories are the greatest commodity. Anderson is a calorie-man whose
true objective is to discover new food sources that his company can
exploit. His secretary, Hock Seng, is a refugee from China seeking to
ensure his future. Jaidee is an officer of the Environmental Ministry
known for upholding regulations rather than accepting bribes. His
partner, Kanya, is torn between respect for Jaidee and hatred for the
agency that destroyed her childhood home. Emiko is a windup, an
engineered and despised creation, discarded by her master and now
subject to brutality by her patron. The actions of these characters
set in motion events that could destroy the country. Bacigalupi has
created a compelling, if bleak, society in which corruption,
betrayal, and despair are commonplace, and more positive behavior and
emotions such as hope and love are regarded with great suspicion. The
complex plot and equally complex characters require a great deal of
commitment from readers. Even the most sympathetic people have darker
sides, and it is difficult to determine which character or faction
should triumph. This highly nuanced, violent, and grim novel is not
for every teen. However, mature readers with an interest in political
or environmental science fiction or those for whom dystopias are
particularly appealing will be intrigued. If they are able to immerse
themselves completely into the calorie-mad world of a future Bangkok,
they will not be disappointed.
