Published by Berkley
Publication date: August 21, 2018
Genres: Book Clubs, Contemporary, Debut, Dystopian, Fiction
Remember two weeks ago when, after reading Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win, I was surprised that a political novel would turn out to be such a trigger for me? Magnify that times ten and you’ll have a picture of my reaction to Christina Dalcher’s dystopian debut, Vox. There’s a new American president, one not suited for the job, but well propped up by the religious right. Within the early days of his presidency women are deemed the greatest danger to making America great again. What to do? First of all, invoke the Bible. A lot. Remove women from the workplace, segregate schools and change the curriculum so that girls only learn basic math and Home Ec. And then because the women will rage and howl, enact an executive order that forbids them to speak more than 100 words a day. Enforce it with wristbands that count the words and administer an electric shock when the total is exceeded. In short, render 51% of the population mute.
Dr. Jean McClellan is (or was before she was removed from her job) a scientist in the field of cognitive linguistics. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and four children, the youngest of which is a six-year-old daughter who must also wear the band on her wrist. Her oldest is a teenage son who has dropped AP Biology and Physics to take AP Religious Studies because it now has greater weight for getting into college. Her life is shrinking until the President’s brother suffers brain trauma that leaves him unable to speak intelligibly. His special advisor, Reverend Carl, offers her a deal if she will resume work on the serum she created that restores function to the part of the brain that controls speech. It’s here that novel switches from simply rage and fear inducing to fascinating. Would you do it? What would you demand? So many questions.
Dalcher populates this new America so completely that every question likely to spring up in the reader’s mind is answered—and the answers are all grim. America is returning to 1950s domesticity and bliss. Even good men decide they’re not too bothered by wives who don’t say much. There are more jobs for them so the economy looks to be doing well, if you don’t count the women who are no longer employed. On and on it goes and it is so terribly real; it feels close enough to where we are now, that my Kindle copy of the book has more highlighting than not and notes that read: I am literally going to vomit and oh no, he didn’t.
Which is not to say the novel is perfect. Dalcher does an outstanding job exploring and illustrating the implications of apathy amongst voters and thinking ‘that could never happen here’, but other aspects of the novel don’t hold up quite as well. The science details are complex enough that as the pace quickens they become confusing. To the point that Susie, the blogger who recommended the book to me, thought the novel ended differently than I did.
What Vox is is very good dystopian fiction. Dalcher creates such a mood that the novel felt like a blade being held against my throat. My pulse ratcheted up with fear and anger and I wanted to move away from it, but knew I couldn’t. Her writing may have lacked finesse, but it got the job done in evoking strong emotion. Even if you’re not at all worried about the state of this country, Vox is still compelling reading about the slippery slope of civil liberties. And great reading.
After finishing Vox I’m struck by this thought: over 18 months ago a cadre of female fiction authors starting writing their emotions about where this presidency would take us and those books are hitting the shelves hard. Whether it’s satire, literary fiction, or science fiction all are smart and scary. I’ve read more books this year with plots about entitled white men, sexual assault, racism, and marginalization of minorities then I ever have before. I hate to say it, but as important as this crop of fiction may be I feel as if I need a break. Reading is my escape, but I’m finding that escape less and less. Have any of you noticed this trend?
Lynn @ Smoke & Mirrors says
August 22, 2018 at 6:45 amYour last paragraph echos exactly my thoughts upon reading this review! Although I have greatly limited my exposure to “news,” I am still so beaten down by this “presidency,” the U.S. already feels very dystopian to me! The book club I facilitate has concentrated on “feel good” reads for this next year. Although I can still handle reading such works, I really have to limit myself, else I feel as if I’m sinking with no hope of ever being able to work my way back up. It is so sad. I can only hope that these last two criminal court verdicts, especially against Cohen, will prove to be the end of DT’s time in office. I realize MP is not much better, but I feel as if he might actually be a bit smarter! Let those who oppose this presidency just get out and vote in the mid-terms! Please! This country has sunk so low in just these past 18 months! Oh, my, I’m on a soapbox…again! The owner of my favorite used book store mentioned that she wanted to read this one. Maybe she’ll select it for the store book club! Thanks for your thoughts!
Catherine says
August 23, 2018 at 5:22 pmThank you for stopping by! You are right about Pence being smarter, but that’s what makes him so scary. Truly, the America in Vox is EXACTLY what he wants. The options aren’t good right now.
After this month’s heavy reading I need to find good, lighter fiction!
Renee (Itsbooktalk) says
August 22, 2018 at 10:11 amI just got a copy of this, really looking forward to reading it after hearing what you have to say! This will actually be my first type of read this year that has that political undertone
Catherine says
August 23, 2018 at 5:19 pmI read Charlotte Walsh at the beginning of the month and then Ohio, so my picks have just been too intense and real. I have got to find some fun chick-lit!
Allison says
August 22, 2018 at 12:57 pmGreat review, Catherine. This is high on my TBR right now, even if it is rage inducing. To be honest, I’ve been a little head-in-the-sand when it comes to news lately. I just can’t take it–and I realize that doing so is a privilege that many people don’t have. I’ve noticed the trend as well, but right now I’m still up for a good novel exploring the issues you mention above (for the most part–I’ve also been squeezing in some fluffy reads). Maybe if I was more into the news cycles I wouldn’t be, but I feel like they help me explore the issues more fully and they’re less crazy-making than actual current events.
Catherine says
August 23, 2018 at 5:18 pmThank you! I monitor my news intake to one day a week- mostly because it is so ludicrous and negative but nothing changes. Vox will be perfect for you because it is, at heart fast-paced fiction, and there is some hope of a satisfying ending. I need to find some good fluffy fiction!
Laila@BigReadingLife says
August 22, 2018 at 2:04 pmGreat review – I have noticed the trend. I did read The Power by Alderman and Red Clocks by Zumas. I loved Red Clocks and sorta liked The Power. I am intrigued by this one but I don’t know if I can stomach it right now. What with the way things actually are in the country. Those early/mid-20th century British women writers are more and more appealing by the day…
Catherine says
August 23, 2018 at 5:15 pmI was just talking with another book blogging friend and we’ve decided historical fiction is the way to go. But British women writers also sounds good!
Susie | Novel Visits says
August 24, 2018 at 8:12 amI actually follow the news more closely than I did three years ago. Then I felt like the world was safer and I could afford to not not pay attention for a few days at a time. (Though I realize many parts are not safe for many people.) Now, I record the nightly news each day in case I’m busy when it’s on. I need to know each day what has happened and to be honest, I’m always wishing that something more has happened to reveal criminal corruption in the president. But, more and more, it appears that NOTHING matters to his base. I feel like he could shoot a man on camera and they would say it was okay. The U.S. has become a nation of sheep!
But, I digress! I loved VOX and found its ending empowering. Dr. McClellan accomplished what many of us are hoping for…change!
Catherine says
August 25, 2018 at 1:05 pmThe ending definitely made it worthwhile!
Sadly, I agree with you, but I simply can’t understand why they’re so cultish. Nothing he’s done has made life better for blue collar America. There are no more manufacturing jobs and the only people getting rich are corporations and those who have money for the stock market. They’re voting against their own economic interests. Sigh.