I really, truly hope that this is not the last book in the universe. I can't imagine spending my very last days reading a book wish such a miniscule glimmer of hope at the end which seems just like a cruel joke.
The concept of the book scared me. I think the overall idea is so extreme that the thought of it seems outrageous, yet at the same time, I'm not completely convinced it's impossible...a world torn apart by the greed of some, wars sparked by the need for censorship, addictions to technology, and unlikely bonds formed out of the necessity for help. Would it really take that long for our society to deteriorate to the point of mass destruction and hatred towards all?
Personally, while the possibility is still there (and will probably always be there), I think we are quite a ways off from any sort of widespread deterioration. Well, at least not in our country. I think our democratic government, and the fact that - for the most part - the people have a say in things, helps eliminate a lot of corruptions and tries to make the playing field a bit more level for everyone. We still have separations between the classes and rely almost too heavily on technology to make it through the day, but a majority of the population still studies our history and enjoys the simpler things in life. Even as we begin to move towards an entirely technology-based lifestyle, we watch movies about our history, and read electronic books about the world's greatest leaders. We're moving forward in life, but we are still very much invested in our past.
Unfortunately, life in the Urb is bit bleaker.
I don't think I'm optimistic enough to believe that things would ever improve for Spaz. True, he's now a Ryter and hopefully he'll be able to keep the world's history alive, but in a world full of destruction and pain, will he ever really be able to make a difference?
I hope so, but I won't be waging a hefty bet on it.
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The failure to read good books both enfeebles the vision and strengthens our most fatal tendency – the belief that the here and now is all there is. - Allan Bloom
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I think Spaz has a few more people--in the latches and in Eden--who are on his side than Ryter. He's not going to live the life of Eden except insofar as the life of the mind--the past, the present--is an Eden of sorts.
ReplyDeleteTime and time again invaders have tried to or have succeeded in wiping out the culture of the invaded. Think of what little remains of the Inca. The last book is too possible...