The Children of Men
by P. D. James · first published 1992
100% neutral
"The year is 2021, and the human race is - quite literally - coming to an end. Since 1995 no babies have been born, because in that year all males unexpectedly became infertile. Great Britain is ruled by a dictator, and the population is inexorably growing older. Theodore Faron, Oxford historian and, incidentally, cousin of the all-powerful Warden of England, watches in growing despair as society gradually crumbles around him, giving way to strange faiths and cruelties: prison camps, mass organized euthanasia, roving bands of thugs. Then, suddenly, Faron is drawn into the plans of an unlikely
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…do this, but instead tries to predict the future/near future and present a realistic vision of things, even if it's not precisely what the author hopes would happen? The closest thing I can think of is Children of Men, which is unfortunately a bit too dystopian for me.
on “Why the Culture Wins: An Appreciation of Iain M. Banks (2017; by Joseph Heath)” ↗…for. I didn't say anything about it being optimistic or pessimistic, just that most writers seem to inject their personal politics into their writing, which is a real distraction from the worldbuilding. Children of Men is particularly pessimistic, and I think anyone reading it would agree.
on “Why the Culture Wins: An Appreciation of Iain M. Banks (2017; by Joseph Heath)” ↗I am Malala by Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafzai The Children of Men by P D James
on “Ask HN: What books have you read in the first half of 2016?” ↗Children of Men is actually a novel by P.D. James Just a pet peev when people overlook the original material, but I was pretty surprised to learn this. She mostly writes detective stories and was inducted into the crime…
on “Scientists perform sex change operation on papaya” ↗> A book from a very popular author (no name because spoiler) The author's name is a spoiler? Are you talking about P. D. James' The Children of Men?
on “Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study” ↗The term 'Voluntary Exit Offer' reminds me of the suicide drug Quietus in P.D. James' Children of Men, which the government offers to people who no longer wish to live.
on “Microsoft offers mass buyouts for roughly a quarter of its workforce” ↗…Willows --- Kenneth Grahame Ender's Game --- Orson Scott Card All Quiet on the Western Front --- Erich Maria Remarque The Drought --- J. G. Ballard The Dead Father's Club --- Matt Harris Children of Men --- P. D. James The Islanders --- Pascal Garnier Silence of the Lambs --- Thomas Harris Inherit the Wind --- Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee The Butt --- Will Self Inside Outside ---…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗