DEEM

Barry Tomkins
Zumaya Otherworlds (2005)
ISBN 13: 97815554102785
Reviewed by Linda Benninghoff for Reader Views (6/06)

In this richly imagined, fictional city-state, materialism seems to be rampant and superficiality seems to have a stranglehold on its citizens.  The Gift, some magical machine left to Deem by aliens, provides all material necessities—it’s not necessary to work, to shop, to make clothing, to farm--to do much of anything.  Some people do work, though, whether because this gives them a sense of making a contribution or personal gratification--they do it, but not from necessity.  Though Deem might seem like an ideal place, some people hate Deem, and Deem has been the victim of a series of terrorist attacks, as if someone wants to destroy the citizens' comfortable way of life.

The characters in "DEEM" are original and well-drawn.  Spright Mass grew up with her father in the wilderness, and, after he died, came to Deem when still quite young on her own, traveling through unmapped, wild territory.  Her combination of innocence and other not-so-innocent qualities will startle the reader.  Orlando Mott likes writing poetry.  He also grew up away from Deem, on a farm, and his mother was killed in one of the terrorist bombings.  The characters have things in common, yet they contrast; each is three-dimensional.

Deem and the surrounding wilderness makes for a well-imagined setting to this science fiction novel.  The novel is well-written, and the world it creates seems well-thought out and believable.  Indirectly, it comments on our own society.  Are there U.S. citizens too self-satisfied, interested in pleasures, without a spiritual sense?  In Deem, all sorts of religious expressions are beginning to develop, and one of the main characters admits to being religious in a society where religion is suppressed and looked down on. 

My favorite part of the book occurs when the mystery is unraveled, and I knew who did the bombings.  This book is a mystery but it also has the depth of social commentary.   I highly recommend it. 

Make comment on weblog