Shriver is labeled an extremist by some critics for her barely dystopian novel about contemporary America, subjected in a decade to a mandatory and debilitating “mental parity.” No sign of superior intelligence is tolerated anymore. The leveling down overturns even the foundations of statistics, since no one with “above-average” abilities exists. Everyone is equal. But since this is clearly impossible, the axe leaves only those “below average,” and the half who don’t fit the mold pretend to belong to the other half. But by constantly convincing themselves of this… To find out what happens next, delve into this absolutely terrifying story, so close to the workaholic world we are experiencing today.
Shriver is anything but an extremist thinker. On the contrary, her character Pearson Converse’s position perfectly embodies what I call the “hard center” in politics: reasonable people who vigorously reject the totalitarianism of extremists. Instead of responding to the fool with a tolerant smile, so as not to marginalize him, the hard centrist unfurls his fire hose and sprays him with cold water. If the agitated person still has a functioning brain, his ideas are reset! Shriver debugs her era with undeniable talent. The shower is quite icy. A few furious readers leave the book in a huff. The others calm down and think, “Oh yes, indeed.”
Are there any flaws in this book? There are. A few conspiratorial lapses. Shriver hates Pfizer. But Pearson repeats several times: “I never claimed to be particularly intelligent.” That’s not necessary to be well-centered politically. Common sense is enough. The sense of having to manage our inequalities, including one’s own.
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