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Haw
Mired in a corrupt, dangerous city that is on the verge of collapse, a father and son flee to a rural village, hoping to find refuge from their violent lives. What they find is not the haunted hippie environs of local legend, but a gritty farm community that thrives despite the threat of criminal invasions and the ominous presence of a nearby nuclear reactor.
A bioengineer, Lucas lends his expertise to the efforts of sustainability, while his son—a rising young photojournalist—falls in love with one of the sons of a folksy family whose charm lies in its ability to keep the community together, through music and love—until disaster shakes their fragile world.
A bioengineer, Lucas lends his expertise to the efforts of sustainability, while his son—a rising young photojournalist—falls in love with one of the sons of a folksy family whose charm lies in its ability to keep the community together, through music and love—until disaster shakes their fragile world.
- GenresScience Fiction
184 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 18, 2015
I wound up staying up all night reading until I finished this book. I'm not sure if I can even express how powerful and amazing the story of Haw is. Sean Jackson is a profoundly beautiful writer who seems to know exactly what will grab your attention with eloquent prose or an emotional moment between characters.
I knew I was in for a great read when within the first two chapters I was moved to tears by the interaction between the two main characters.
There were also aspects of the story that scared me because they are things that could actually happen now in our world with the way things are going. However, there are also moments of sweetness and hope. I found myself smiling as I read about Orel and Nico because they represented to me hope for the future; not giving up and that in itself is a powerful statement.
I found myself invested in this story because it was well told and when a writer can make me weep for something that happened to a character in their book; that to me is incredible. I still have goosebumps from reading it. Haw is not just a great book; it is a story that shines a light on all that darkness we see far too often, but shows that even in the darkest hours there is always a glimmer of hope and that hope in itself can be one of the most powerful things.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of Haw and reading it if you haven't already. It is an excellent book with a fantastic story, great characters, and thought provoking ideas. Mr. Jackson is quite a talented writer and I look forward to reading his next book.
I knew I was in for a great read when within the first two chapters I was moved to tears by the interaction between the two main characters.
There were also aspects of the story that scared me because they are things that could actually happen now in our world with the way things are going. However, there are also moments of sweetness and hope. I found myself smiling as I read about Orel and Nico because they represented to me hope for the future; not giving up and that in itself is a powerful statement.
I found myself invested in this story because it was well told and when a writer can make me weep for something that happened to a character in their book; that to me is incredible. I still have goosebumps from reading it. Haw is not just a great book; it is a story that shines a light on all that darkness we see far too often, but shows that even in the darkest hours there is always a glimmer of hope and that hope in itself can be one of the most powerful things.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of Haw and reading it if you haven't already. It is an excellent book with a fantastic story, great characters, and thought provoking ideas. Mr. Jackson is quite a talented writer and I look forward to reading his next book.
January 8, 2016
Jackson weaves a somber and largely depressing tale of a planet that we've destroyed. A planet intent on destroying us back. There's not a lot of world-building here, but your imagination fills in the gaps.
There are no wasted words in Haw, no unnecessarily lengthy exposition. Just riveting storytelling and believable characters desperate to survive in their own very unique, violent, or inspiring ways.
Finished this in two sittings because it really was gripping, yet I felt it could have been fleshed out much more. Perhaps spending more time exploring the corruption, more time in certain settings to get us more attached.
Still, it's a brisk but recommended read especially if you like speculative fiction and dystopian futures. I dug it. And it's begging for a prequel.
There are no wasted words in Haw, no unnecessarily lengthy exposition. Just riveting storytelling and believable characters desperate to survive in their own very unique, violent, or inspiring ways.
Finished this in two sittings because it really was gripping, yet I felt it could have been fleshed out much more. Perhaps spending more time exploring the corruption, more time in certain settings to get us more attached.
Still, it's a brisk but recommended read especially if you like speculative fiction and dystopian futures. I dug it. And it's begging for a prequel.
June 28, 2015
Haw's very title doesn't give much warning about its contents, much less about its futuristic society setting and a father's struggle to save his son from corruption - and that's just one intriguing facet in a genre replete with dystopian writings, here: one just doesn't anticipate the events coming, in Haw.
Bioengineer Lucas and his son live in a city on the edge of disaster, and so they flee to a rural farming community, where his son falls in love with one of the sons of a family.
There are a lot of contrasts in this story: the gritty urban world versus rural struggles, the different facets of love in a time of disaster, and the choices involved in a commitment to personal and community survival. Against this backdrop, the rough world is deftly portrayed.
A nuclear reactor's possible collapse with its wide-ranging social and political ramifications that go beyond radiation, choices made while navigating one's way through the ranks to survive socially and politically, and the collapse of individuals, institutions and communities all prove compelling when accompanied by solid observations and protagonists.
With a title such as Haw, it's hard to predict the nature of the yarn to be spun and the stories played out. Ultimately, it's about love, death, and finding peace in a stormy, changing world. Deliciously dark and compelling insights interspersed with moments of enlightenment and hope are the driving force of a novel that focuses on the course of survival and what is lost in that process. Very highly recommended: a powerful read that's hard to put down!
Bioengineer Lucas and his son live in a city on the edge of disaster, and so they flee to a rural farming community, where his son falls in love with one of the sons of a family.
There are a lot of contrasts in this story: the gritty urban world versus rural struggles, the different facets of love in a time of disaster, and the choices involved in a commitment to personal and community survival. Against this backdrop, the rough world is deftly portrayed.
A nuclear reactor's possible collapse with its wide-ranging social and political ramifications that go beyond radiation, choices made while navigating one's way through the ranks to survive socially and politically, and the collapse of individuals, institutions and communities all prove compelling when accompanied by solid observations and protagonists.
With a title such as Haw, it's hard to predict the nature of the yarn to be spun and the stories played out. Ultimately, it's about love, death, and finding peace in a stormy, changing world. Deliciously dark and compelling insights interspersed with moments of enlightenment and hope are the driving force of a novel that focuses on the course of survival and what is lost in that process. Very highly recommended: a powerful read that's hard to put down!
June 22, 2015
I was traveling so I didn't get a chance to leave the review with my rating.
The name of the book does not give much away about the premise, but upon reading the description I knew it was worth a read. I'm a big fan of speculative fiction, particularly stories with post-apocalyptic/dystopian themes, and Haw delivers.
There isn't much worldbuilding in this book, but the tone of Sean's writing does a fantastic job of making you feel like you're already there. Plus, the setting of the book already feels quite plausible in this political climate, so there isn't very much need to go in-depth: I've already pictured a future similar to this (and clearly I spend too much time thinking). I also really loved weaving between the perspectives of the characters in Haw, and their thoughts and musings gave me a great idea of their hopes, dreams, strengths, and weaknesses.
My only hope is that there are more stories to follow this one! A prequel would also be awesome.
The name of the book does not give much away about the premise, but upon reading the description I knew it was worth a read. I'm a big fan of speculative fiction, particularly stories with post-apocalyptic/dystopian themes, and Haw delivers.
There isn't much worldbuilding in this book, but the tone of Sean's writing does a fantastic job of making you feel like you're already there. Plus, the setting of the book already feels quite plausible in this political climate, so there isn't very much need to go in-depth: I've already pictured a future similar to this (and clearly I spend too much time thinking). I also really loved weaving between the perspectives of the characters in Haw, and their thoughts and musings gave me a great idea of their hopes, dreams, strengths, and weaknesses.
My only hope is that there are more stories to follow this one! A prequel would also be awesome.
September 12, 2015
Haw is a riveting novel set in a dystopian future where life is uncertain and death is imminent.
In a time when danger lurks around every corner and it's often each man for himself, Lucas and his son Orel are grateful just to be alive. Lucus's government job provides them with plenty to eat, while many starve and they are lucky enough to have a safe place to live. However, that's about to change. After Orel witnesses a murder and Lucus feels he may be disposable with his employer the two decide to pack up and head out. Their journey leads them to a small community where life seems to thrive despite the world around them. Lucus and Orel finally find the life they've been searching for, that is until the unthinkable happens. Can Lucus, Orel, and their new found family escape and find safety in the north?
Haw is a compelling and thought-provoking read. The author creates a vivid and believeable story through his exquisite detail and complex characters. The violence and death that surround the city is heart wrenching as many innocent people are left to die and those in power control their fate. I loved the author's creativity and was quickly absorbed within the pages. Haw is well penned and highly enjoyable. I recommend picking up a copy.
In a time when danger lurks around every corner and it's often each man for himself, Lucas and his son Orel are grateful just to be alive. Lucus's government job provides them with plenty to eat, while many starve and they are lucky enough to have a safe place to live. However, that's about to change. After Orel witnesses a murder and Lucus feels he may be disposable with his employer the two decide to pack up and head out. Their journey leads them to a small community where life seems to thrive despite the world around them. Lucus and Orel finally find the life they've been searching for, that is until the unthinkable happens. Can Lucus, Orel, and their new found family escape and find safety in the north?
Haw is a compelling and thought-provoking read. The author creates a vivid and believeable story through his exquisite detail and complex characters. The violence and death that surround the city is heart wrenching as many innocent people are left to die and those in power control their fate. I loved the author's creativity and was quickly absorbed within the pages. Haw is well penned and highly enjoyable. I recommend picking up a copy.
July 18, 2015
Apocalyptic literature at its very best!
September 10, 2020
Finishing this book while the west coast burns... Government violence, public health crises. It's all too familiar. Who would have thought a few years ago we'd be here? Really, really prescient and well-written.
October 19, 2015
In Haw, the future is grim and bleak. The government has become a corrupt facade of democracy, on the verge of collapse, willing to sacrifice the many to maintain the few. Society has evolved into extremes of “haves”—the wealthy who insulate themselves in high rise buildings and hire private guards to protect them—and the “have nots”—citoyens who make up the bulk of society, scrabbling for their daily necessities, drinking heavily because alcohol is safer than the water. Lucas, a bioengineer and father, is on the lower end of the “haves.” He has a job, a home (an abandoned villa), and salary enough to eat fairly well. After the death of his wife, he raises Orel alone. When decreasing purity of water and increasing violence force them to leave this pitiless environment, they journey to a rural village near a nuclear reactor and face a new challenges.
The prose is thoughtful, well-written and contains some unique imagery. Haw is told from an omniscient point of view so the reader sees bits of everyone’s thoughts, which is one of Haw’s strengths as well as its weakness. A review on the back cover says “Haw features an LGBT theme.” For most people, the literary theme is the main topic of a novel whether stated directly or indirectly. In Haw, LGBT issues were mentioned in passing here and there and certainly never reached the point of becoming a major thematic presence. This is where the omniscient point of view becomes a drawback. Had the reader identified more with Orel, the gay son, the fact that he was gay may have made a difference in the book. The LGBT issues may not have become an actual “theme” but might have become a thread or motif. For instance, the reader doesn’t know if Orel has come out to his father, Lucas; if Lucas knows or suspects his son’s homosexuality and, if so, how he feels about it. The reader doesn’t even know how Orel feels about his own sexuality. Jackson missed an opportunity here and could have done better justice to the character, Orel, his psyche, and his lover, Nico.
The prose is thoughtful, well-written and contains some unique imagery. Haw is told from an omniscient point of view so the reader sees bits of everyone’s thoughts, which is one of Haw’s strengths as well as its weakness. A review on the back cover says “Haw features an LGBT theme.” For most people, the literary theme is the main topic of a novel whether stated directly or indirectly. In Haw, LGBT issues were mentioned in passing here and there and certainly never reached the point of becoming a major thematic presence. This is where the omniscient point of view becomes a drawback. Had the reader identified more with Orel, the gay son, the fact that he was gay may have made a difference in the book. The LGBT issues may not have become an actual “theme” but might have become a thread or motif. For instance, the reader doesn’t know if Orel has come out to his father, Lucas; if Lucas knows or suspects his son’s homosexuality and, if so, how he feels about it. The reader doesn’t even know how Orel feels about his own sexuality. Jackson missed an opportunity here and could have done better justice to the character, Orel, his psyche, and his lover, Nico.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews