It is all too easy to accept the world created by Lanchester in this novel set in a post climate disaster dystopia. The setting is not too far fetched, particularly when you look at the medieval instincts those in power have signed onto around the world over the last several years. But the realism at work in this novel goes beyond its fantasy scenario and expresses itself through the inner life of the protagonist, which I would argue is the real story Lanchester is telling.

Kavanagh is an alienated figure, in the Marxist sense. He is disconnected from agency over his existence, from the acts of violence he must commit for his job (training "takes over"), from the ability to define his relationships with the people around him, even from the very passage of time, which is mostly a torture of duration. All of this is a result of living in a strictly hierarchical society. A society where his activities are dictated by another (the bourgeoisie).

When you track this inner story, the one about the alienated figure in search of his species-essence (Gattungswesen) while competing for survival, the novel really opens up and has an inevitable and yet surprising end. For those who have read (don't worry, no spoilers), the wikipedia definition of Gattungswesen:

"...the intrinsic human mental essence that is characterized by a "plurality of interests" and "psychological dynamism", whereby every individual has the desire and the tendency to engage in the many activities that promote mutual human survival and psychological well-being, by means of emotional connections with other people, with society."

The ending, with that definition in mind, works brilliantly. It also highlights the power of narrative to (re)gain species-essence. When you recite a narrative you provide both nourishment for your community of listeners and agency over its fabula.

So while the story may come off as a Game of Thrones spin off I believe there is a lot more under the surface than it seems to be getting credit for (at least here on GR, I mean it DID get longlisted for the Booker) and I do recommend this.