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Jump to navigationJump to searchStrangled Silence by Oisin McGann (view source)
Revision as of 07:33, 21 September 2020
, 07:33, 21 September 2020no edit summary
The book takes in crackpot alien abduction theories and discredits them for conspiracies much, much closer to home. False memory syndrome, propaganda, fake reporting, brainwashing computer programs, shady and murderous government operatives - they're all here. And it's all very unhappily plausible in the wake of those non-existent WMDs.
''Strangled Silence'' presses all my political buttons and I was going to love it before I even started reading but positive prejudice aside, it really is a great book. The three central characters are all credible and sympathetic - even alien nut Chi, but particularly sad and confused veteran Ivor. And the manner in which the central conspiracy is eventually revealed to be a combination of cock-up and domino effect is not only credible, but a rather sad indictment on government.
It's pacy and direct and energetic, and it might also wake up the political sensibilities we're always bemoaning twenty-first -century adolescents have forgotten all about in favour of iPods and Wiis and designer labels. Recommended.
My thanks to the nice people at Corgi for sending the book. We also have a review of McGann's [[Rat Runners by Oisin McGann|Rat Runners]].
If they enjoy a little more of the sci-fi and a little less of the government cover-up, they'll love [[The Starlight Conspiracy by Steve Voake]].
