This novel has at least two observations about human nature woven into the plot: we seem to require one strong leader, to whom we as a society cede much of our freedom, in exchange for the basic needs of life; second, we tend to make daily choices for our personal benefit, failing to see the role of those choices in determining the overall health of our society and our planet. Alderman takes these notions, and many more, and puts them to the test in this suspenseful, dystopic, science tech thriller. She takes us where we were a little while ago, then moves us a couple of years forward in time, to see the consequences.

Three gazillionaire tech moguls have made plans to escape to their own lavish bunkers, since they can see the world on the precipice of crashing, due to some confluence of political, social, and environmental disasters. Their strategy is to use their power and influence to lay low and wait out civilization’s collapse, only to emerge with as much or more power than before. The moguls include Lenk Sketlish, founder and CEO of Fantail social network (think Mark Zuckerberg); Ellen Bywater, new CEO of Medlar Technologies, a personal computing company (a Bill Gates type); and Zimri Nommik, CEO of Anvil, a retail and logistics company (reminiscent of Amazon and Jeff Bezos.) The three people closest to these CEOs see the selfish behavior of their fellows, and realize that with all the power and resources they could muster, the people of the world could be influenced to take a better course of action to step back from the precipice. These are Martha Einkorn, Sketlish’s admin and get the details done person; Selah Nommik, Zimri’s current wife, and brilliant coder; Albert Dabrowski, founder of Medlar, recently ousted by Bywater; and Badger Bywater, Ellen’s youngest, non-binary child, a teenager with radical views. The last key character in this story is Lai Zhen, a survival expert, specializing in tech gear, with a YouTube channel, and massive social media influence. She begins an affair with Martha Einkorn, and becomes a critical piece of the plot to save civilization.

Also woven through the plot is a cult in Oregon called the Enochites, founded by Martha’s father. She grew up at the remote compound, until she escaped as a teenager and found her own way in life. The philosophy and influence of Enochites is felt through their message board (think Reddit), and the cult’s teachings about the Fox and the Rabbit. I don’t want to dive too deeply here, just give you enough information to get the picture: man’s efforts toward survival, and hopefully happiness and fulfillment, as individuals and part of greater society, and whether we can make choices that benefit our world and the future, or if we are destined to ruin our home and harm the future.

This is an excellent book discussion club choice, so much to chat about here. Great for dystopia fans, great for futurists, and for scifi tech nerds. Highly recommend.