Jonathan Lethem's first novel is set at an indeterminate time in the not too distant future. The United States - and possibly the whole world - is now run by the Inquisition, also known as the Office. You need a licence to ask questions. Everyone has to carry a card which registers how much 'karma' they have: the level can be increased or reduced at the discretion of an Office inquisitor - once it drops below zero, you're taken off to the deep freeze. Narcotics are freely available courtesy of the state: you just pop down to the 'makery' for your preferred blend of Addictol, Forgettol, Regrettol, Believol, Acceptol, Avoidol. Thanks to the pioneering genetic work of Dr Twostrand, 'evolved' animals are almost like people: they talk, wear clothes and walk on two legs - but they still look like animals and are treated as second-class citizens. Newspapers consist of 'the usual captionless pictures of the government busy at work'.

LRB 6 September 2001 | PDF Download