by John Hersey
First published 1965
When the United States loses a war to China, all resources—including people—are seized at will. We follow White Lotus, a captive whose pre-slave identity is lost, on her harrowing journey from capture to resistance. In this bold allegory, Hersey compels us to confront the brutal dehumanization of slavery, even as White Lotus fights to reclaim her humanity and dignity.
Genres: science-fiction, dystopia, historical-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, political-thriller
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: dehumanization, enemies-to-lovers
Setting: China, New Southwest, Arizona
Period: Never stated nor indicated
683 pages · Paperback · Vintage
Content warnings: slavery, violence