Civilisation is collapsing…
Frustrated and angry after years of denial and inaction, in a last-ditch attempt to stave off disaster, a government of youth has taken power in North America, and a policy of institutionalised ageism has been introduced. All those older than the prescribed age are deemed responsible for the current state of the world, and are to be 'relocated', their property and assets confiscated.
David Ashworth, known by his friends and students as Teacher, and his wife May, find themselves among the thousands being moved to 'new accommodation' in the abandoned southern deserts – thrown together with a wealthy industrialist and his wife, a high court lawyer, two recent immigrants to America, and a hospital worker. Together, they must come to terms with their new lives in a land rendered unrecognisable.
As the terrible truth of their situation is revealed, lured by rumours of a tropical sanctuary where they can live in peace, they plan a perilous escape. But the world outside is more dangerous than they could ever have imagined. And for those who survive, nothing will ever be the same again…
What did I think?
Oh my goodness, this book chilled me to the bone. It's not a murder mystery (unless you consider what we're doing to the planet as murder) but it is so scarily realistic that it gives me goose bumps just thinking of it now.
The Forcing is a cli-fi dystopian thriller that acts as a timely reminder of what we could be facing as we overpopulate and destroy our planet. The government have put a relocation programme in place, not unlike the 'relocation' of the Jewish population in World War II but this programme relocates older people to make room for the young.
There is a dual timeline as David aka Teach tells his story many years later so spoiler alert he clearly survives the relocation. I really felt for Teach when he got his relocation letter and his only comfort is that his wife is going with him...although it's no comfort to his wife as she was happy to think that Teach would be going on his own! Married life, eh?
I couldn't help but compare the plight of the people to the concentration camps of WWII and what is more scary is that I could imagine it actually happening now. The Forcing is a powerful and timely reminder of how fragile and precious life is.
Compelling, thought-provoking and relevant, The Forcing is a chilling dystopian thriller that feels so incredibly possible. A highly recommended read.
I received a digital copy for the readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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