The year is 2098 and a revolutionary new drug has been invented that allows people to stay young for decades, perhaps forever. This new drug, of course, is reserved for the rich. The poor are condemned to living normal lifespans. It isn’t all bad, though. We’re told that since the rich are living longer, they finally do something about climate change since they realize they’ll now live long enough to see the consequences. Also, some of the poor celebrate the fact that they won’t live forever since it gives life and their art more meaning.
However, there’s a ragtag group of activists who don’t like this new world. They steal the age-defying drugs from the rich and give to the poor and they’re soon joined by the scientist who invented the drugs in the first place. However, one of their number is secretly a spy.
We’re told the story from the point of view of two different members of the group. We also get letters written a few months into the future from a member of the group who got put into prison. We aren’t told which member of the group this is until the end, but it’s pretty easy to guess. My favorite character is Margo, who gets all the funny lines. The other characters all have their own distinct personalities which makes it easy to see them as real people.
Daisy, the elderly scientist who created the drug that keeps people young, prefers to appear as an acne-covered fourteen-year-old in order to keep away potential suitors. There’s a moment when she watches a 70 year old video of herself of when she was 40, which (if my math is correct) would make her 110. However, later on, we’re told she’s 98. I’m not trying to be nit-picky here, just pointing out one of the things that pulled me out of the story.
Another moment that took me out of the book appears on page 55. A character named Fidget storms out of a room. Another character chases after him to bring him back. Meanwhile the rest of the characters continue talking and suddenly Fidget says something, suddenly back in the room without explanation. It’s another minor point, though.
White guys probably aren’t going to like this book too much since it takes them down a peg: “Cocky and insecure all at once, always needing their egos stroked, blind to their own power, white boys were always going to let you down or f*** you over.” There are a few awkward info dump moments at the beginning, and this book gets a bit too preachy at times, but it’s still an entertaining read with a surprising ending that gets hinted at throughout the book.
Mania Delight 