I want to write about it later in a bit more length, because this short novel was one of the most unexpected positive reading surprises for me this year.
This is the most solarpunk book ever that hasn't been called solarpunk. It's not science fiction, it's a near-past historical with magic realist leanings. But it ticks ALL the boxes I am looking for in solarpunk and does them better than most of the works labeled as such: protecting and restoring both the natural environment and people, kindness, anti-war, collaboration, positive portrayals of disabled and/or elderly people, everyday characters' actions presented with a non-frantic pace, and so on. Also it's by a non-Western author set outside the West, so it's not one of those "I will write Those People for Aesthetic" books either that seem to be released with increasing frequency.
This was the book I needed this 2020, and I got it. I'm really glad for that.
_____
Source of the book: Lawrence Public Library
(Note: I read this book a while ago but did not add it because I wanted to post about it, so the date on the entry is off)