dwhatson reviewed 2121 by Susan Greenfield
An Interesting, If Not Prescient, Premise
3 stars
In Greenfield's novel, the line that divides humanity is the use of technology by the NPs and the use of technology by the Others. The NPs are extremely ordered with everything action and thought geared towards the stability of the system. NPs use technology to manipulate and explore the human brain and mind for the purposes of intellectual advancement. A rigid order runs through this society. The Others make use of technology for purely hedonistic purposes. Think of a permanent festival where food, drugs, accommodation and entertainment is on tap. Implants provide constant auditory and visual stimulus and monitor one's health. One of the NPs, Fred, is tasked with leaving the safety of his structured life to live among the Others and study them.
Greenfield begins with an interesting premise and along the way explores notions of family, our addiction and abuse of technology, social structure, freedom and selfhood. …
In Greenfield's novel, the line that divides humanity is the use of technology by the NPs and the use of technology by the Others. The NPs are extremely ordered with everything action and thought geared towards the stability of the system. NPs use technology to manipulate and explore the human brain and mind for the purposes of intellectual advancement. A rigid order runs through this society. The Others make use of technology for purely hedonistic purposes. Think of a permanent festival where food, drugs, accommodation and entertainment is on tap. Implants provide constant auditory and visual stimulus and monitor one's health. One of the NPs, Fred, is tasked with leaving the safety of his structured life to live among the Others and study them.
Greenfield begins with an interesting premise and along the way explores notions of family, our addiction and abuse of technology, social structure, freedom and selfhood. However, her style lacks the elegance needed to propel the story forward and the reader is spoon-fed rather than be entertained by the writing. That being said, I still found the ideas enough to get me to the end.