Official Review: The Seclusion by Jacqui Castle

[Alice Heritage]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Seclusion" by Jacqui Castle.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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As I write, the US Government is shut down over the issue of a proposed border wall. At times like these, science fiction writers may imagine the dystopias that could result from current trends.

The Seclusion by Jacqui Castle is set in a near-future version of Tucson, Arizona. Now a police state with a degraded environment, America is secluded within walls spanning both its northern and southern borders. It is controlled by a shadowy entity known as The Board. A society divided into rigid tiers lives under constant camera surveillance. The story opens with an incident where the heroine, 22-year-old geologist Patricia (“Patch”) Collins, is interrogated by a Compliance Officer after lingering too long near the southern wall. Alarmed though she is about getting onto the authorities’ radar, Patricia continues to explore off-camera areas with the hero, her friend Rexx. A find in one of these areas triggers a chain of events that forces the pair to flee.

Patricia and Rexx embark on a perilous journey through a post-apocalyptic America. Castle’s world-building is excellent. She vividly describes the crater left by the 2029 nuclear bombing and a town cracked apart by a fracking-induced earthquake. As well as imagining future disasters and their aftermath, she has coined terms that are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, like “lumicomm” and “idecation”. They are readily understood in context.

The story is narrated in the first person from Patricia's point of view. In addition to evocative descriptions, the style also features many metaphors and similes. These are sometimes a little clichéd, such as when Patricia compares two characters to deer in headlights; I can’t quite see that she would have experienced night-time driving or deer. Maybe. However, she also explains things to the reader in terms that she surely cannot be familiar with. For example, when referring to her credits that always disappear at the end of the month, she remarks that there are no savings and no safety net. Especially since information is tightly controlled by the Board, it seems implausible that she would have any access to these concepts.

Similarly, she tells the reader: “Every single establishment, whether in the food industry or not, existed under the umbrella of America One.” This seems like a fish describing the water it swims in as wet. When she gives the reader information like this, she does not quite ring true as an individual who has been brainwashed her entire life.

Brainwashing and totalitarian control are important themes in this novel. Sometimes it seems a pallid derivative of dystopian greats like The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984. TV presenter Aelia Ramey lacks the brashness of Serena Joy; Patricia’s pity for the “poor saps” watching her eat dinner fails to chill like Winston Smith being admonished through the telescreen.

This is not to say, however, that Castle does not succeed in creating a disturbing world. She absolutely does. A key theme is the Board's inability to control everything. Banned items and inconvenient memories survive; individuals question propaganda and find ways to evade controls. The book is also about how humans persist in the face of fear. Denunciations are encouraged, and the action plays out in a climate crackling with suspicion. Will the people Patricia and Rexx meet turn out to be more like Nick in The Handmaid’s Tale or O’Brien in 1984?

This tension is sustained throughout a novel full of adventures, with a few slower passages where readers can catch their breath along with the protagonists. Patricia’s character develops alongside her growing knowledge. There is some romance in a subplot but no sex; this book could be suitable for young adults. A few scenes detail the violent methods used by totalitarian enforcers, which sensitive readers might find distressing. This novel would appeal to science fiction fans, especially those whose taste runs to dystopian settings.

The editing is excellent – I encountered only a handful of anodyne errors. Despite some flaws in the narrative as described above, this is a gripping tale set in a cleverly constructed world with likeable, relatable characters. Taking all aspects into account, my rating is 3 out of 4 stars. While the story comes to a definite and satisfying end, the scene is set for a sequel, which I’d be more than happy to read.

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The Seclusion
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Like ButterscotchCherrie's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Helen_Combe]

That sounds like a fascinating book! I saw a joke recently where a library had a sign up saying ’Dystopia has now been moved to Non Fiction’. It’s scary how relevant these stories are becoming. Great review.

[Alice Heritage]

That sounds like a fascinating book! I saw a joke recently where a library had a sign up saying ’Dystopia has now been moved to Non Fiction’. It’s scary how relevant these stories are becoming. Great review.

I know - the writer possibly wasn't even thinking of Trump's wall when she wrote it. Thanks for your comment.

[kandscreeley]

It is amazing how authors sometimes predict the future so well. Or perhaps I should say terrifying? Nevertheless, I do love a good Dystopian novel. This seems to fit the bill, and I would be glad to put it on my list. Thanks.

[gen_g]

Patricia's character does seem slightly inconsistent, which could be jarring for some. Still, I am really intrigued by this premise, and the fact that Castle's world-building skills are fantastic, I'm definitely picking up this book. Thanks for the review!

[Alice Heritage]

It is amazing how authors sometimes predict the future so well. Or perhaps I should say terrifying? Nevertheless, I do love a good Dystopian novel. This seems to fit the bill, and I would be glad to put it on my list. Thanks.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it. Thanks for reading and commenting!

[Alice Heritage]

Patricia's character does seem slightly inconsistent, which could be jarring for some. Still, I am really intrigued by this premise, and the fact that Castle's world-building skills are fantastic, I'm definitely picking up this book. Thanks for the review!

I really enjoyed reading it and hope there will be a sequel. Thanks for your comment!

[kdstrack]

You do an excellent job of highlighting the author's interesting premise. And 2029 is really not that far in the future! This seems like a series worth following. Thanks.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Seemingly an interesting science fiction. Thanks for sharing

[Alice Heritage]

You do an excellent job of highlighting the author's interesting premise. And 2029 is really not that far in the future! This seems like a series worth following. Thanks.

Yes, it's quite Orwellian in that sense. There were some characters described as "elders" who I realized would have been born around now. So it really makes you think about where things are going now. I hope this does develop into a series. Thanks for your comment.

[Alice Heritage]

Seemingly an interesting science fiction. Thanks for sharing

It was a great read. Thanks for commenting.

[Manang Muyang]

Big Brother has become The Board. These writers are scaring me, especially now that I have read The Bible in a Nutshell.

Would anyone be able to go into seclusion?

Would this be Alice's new wonderland?

[Alice Heritage]

Intrigued to check out the "Bible in a Nutshell" now! Thanks for reading and commenting.

[Jackie Holycross]

I like dystopian novels, and this one sounds like a winner.

[Alice Heritage]

I like dystopian novels, and this one sounds like a winner.

Yes, it's really good!