Stephanie Jane reviewed HellSans by Ever Dundas
Rather too much vomit!
4 stars
HellSans is an amazing ride of a novel which imparts some uncomfortable truths already evident in our society today. Its central question is, I thought, one of basic rights. Should a majority of people be able to insist on the widespread availability of something they love if that very same something is also incredibly damaging to the health of a minority?
I liked how Ever Dundas chose to present this story from two opposing perspectives. The idea of the two first sections being readable in either order wasn't really relevant to me on this first reading of HellSans - I read the book through as it is written - however I think this could be interesting for future re-reading. I imagine that starting HellSans from the alternative perspective would put a different slant onto my feelings about the characters. Of the two central figures, I could empathise more with Icho, …
HellSans is an amazing ride of a novel which imparts some uncomfortable truths already evident in our society today. Its central question is, I thought, one of basic rights. Should a majority of people be able to insist on the widespread availability of something they love if that very same something is also incredibly damaging to the health of a minority?
I liked how Ever Dundas chose to present this story from two opposing perspectives. The idea of the two first sections being readable in either order wasn't really relevant to me on this first reading of HellSans - I read the book through as it is written - however I think this could be interesting for future re-reading. I imagine that starting HellSans from the alternative perspective would put a different slant onto my feelings about the characters. Of the two central figures, I could empathise more with Icho, but I liked the portrayals of both women. Their story threads are deftly plotted with several moments that had me glued to the pages with excitement. That said, there were also a number of moments that repulsed me. Dundas doesn't shy away from depicting the gruesome physical realities encountered by her characters and this includes an awful lot of vomiting!
The HellSans world is recognisably British, yet with believable futuristic touches such as HellSans itself of course, but also the organic robots, Inexes and Inos, which everyone has come to rely upon to such an extent that being without one makes a person a curiosity and also leaves them incapable of being a full part of society. I was partly reminded of the person-animal bonds in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series. Lacking the Inex electronic interface means one is almost completely excluded from day to day life which I felt strongly reflected much of our present day communications.
HellSans is an exciting dystopian novel which I very much enjoyed reading, and I also appreciated its depth which kept me thinking over the ideas for several days after finishing. Its violence (and all the vomit) might put off some readers, but for those with a stronger stomach, I highly recommend the book.
