Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Midterm Report The Wastelanders by Tim Hemlin (Brandon Alston)


The Wastelanders by Tim Hemlin

The Wastelanders is a Cli-Fi book written by Tim Hemlin. The story is set in a dystopian future in the Houston area of Texas in the year 2116. The globe is currently suffering from a drought brought about by climate change predictions from scientist in the mid-twentieth century. The Water Cartel controls America as a corporate oligarchy run by The President and his Sub-Czars. in 2089 a global pandemic known as the Yellow Plague originated in Asia and claimed half of the population of China and India as well as many Americans. Due to the outbreak, countries have isolated themselves by closing their borders.

The story begins with Water Cartel Desalination Plant #23 going up in an explosion killing 165 people. Water Cartel Deputy Security Officer Bernie Hawke is being interrogated by Home Sec about his involvement. The government labels this a terrorist attack and identifies Bernie Hawke’s son, Joey Hawke, as the main suspect. Although the story is told through multiple perspectives Bernie and Joey Hawke are the presumed main protagonists. Bernie desperately searches for his son to clear his name and find answers and Joey fights against government conspiracies and the harsh wasteland to keep a boogieman from rising from the grave.

The story is also told through the perspective of Joey Hawke, Wasteland resident who “abandoned civilization” and joined the religious cult Neo-Gnostics, who are suspected of committing terrorist acts and radical thinking. Si-Ting, Joey’s childhood friend and love interest, whose innocent emotions cause her to be used as bait in a political struggle to control society by instilling fear in the hearts of its citizens. Sub-Czar Rex Fielder, Home Sec officer intent on eradicating any force of opposition living in the Wastelands. President J. Henry Bishop, current head of state, and figurehead mostly unaware of the current conspiracy of his administration.

The technology in The Wastelanders is noted to be futuristic as Hemlin illustrates the populated communities living in “Bubble Technology” Biomes. They are electromagnetic solar powered panels locked in a grid with interchangeable parts. In this dystopian future there are hover cabs and buses, heat guns (electromagnetic weapons firing thermal rounds), Speeders (futuristic motorcycles), Iron horses, 2-way vid cams and lie detector scanners. There have also been advancements in Weather Control Implementations and Military Unmanned Bombers and drones. Wastelanders survive by salvaging or trading in scrap metal or selling information to Home Sec and the Water Cartel.

Hemlin tells this captivating story of a world on the brink of survival from a multiple perspectives. Though I wouldn’t quite coin this as a save the world narrative of a rouge vigilante being opposed by corrupt corporation it has been very interesting to read. Assisted by a Seer-like Mystic named the Bear both Hawke’s find their way into the Wasteland seeking their ultimate truths. Bernie wishes to save his son from becoming the ultimate martyr and Joey seeks to save the Wasteland from immenent doom from the invading Home Sec forces.

Quiz Questions
1)What led to countries closing their borders and isolating themselves? (Hint:2089)
2)Who is the main suspect for the bombing of Plant #23?
3)What religious cult does Joey Hawk belong to?
4)What is the main power source use for Bubble technology?
Discussion Questions
1)Do you believe it is beneficial to live in an isolated world, if so what governs that decision?
2)IF government conspiracies led to societal developments could they be justified? Why or Why not?
3)Do you believe that a selected few should be in charge of delegating resources and power in the event of a global crisis? How should they be selected?

No comments:

Post a Comment