by Marc Laidlaw
First published 1988
William D. "Dad" Johnson should be the perfect patriarch in his fortified suburban enclave. The year is 1998, and white families have retreated into protected compounds while anarchy rages outside. Life moves at breakneck speed inside the walls, where residents focus on household tasks, virtual entertainment, and competing with neighbors over weapons. Dad's community expects total conformity, but he starts asking uncomfortable questions about Dr. Edison, the mysterious figure who controls every detail of their existence. His rebellion puts him at odds with both his family and his neighbors. Dad finds it easier to challenge the sinister doctor than to examine his own beliefs. As he digs deeper into Edison's influence, Dad must decide whether comfort and safety are worth the price of freedom.
Genres: science-fiction, dystopia, 20th-century, action, 21st-century, alternate-history
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-conflict, rebellion
Setting: Fortified Suburban Enclave
Period: 1998
255 pages · Paperback · Critics Choice Paperbacks