Climies

by Michael J. Vaughn

"The Handmaid's Tale" Meets Climate Change Russell Peppers emerges from a curious labyrinth to find that the world has changed. He kayaks over underwater towns, past woods cut in two by new shorelines, and meets Mimi, owner of a Victorian that cruises the bay atop a barge. The survivor community of Skyline is beautiful, but the erratic weather and a drowned metropolis point to a species that fell prey to its own greed.

241 pages, Paperback

Published November 20, 2020

About the author

Michael J. Vaughn is the author of 29 novels, including Punks for the Opera and Mermaids' Tears. He is also a fine arts painter, and drummer/vocalist for San Jose's El Camino Revival Band.

Reviews

[Fiona Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dreamlike sequence not unlike Alice in Wonderland brings Russell via kayak to one the the few remaining towns in a post apocalyptic world. After being led by butterflies and talking poodles, he finds a kayak and further exploration leads him to a floating Victorian house, a gift shop owned by a motherly figure. She immediately takes to him and invites him to visit the secluded mountain top home of Skyline. Russell has lost his memory and is surprised to find out he actually has many talents such as a game played in” a high-ceilinged room with a floor made from long strips of wood. Hanging at either end are thick squares of glass with metal rings draped with netting where six boys are gathered at one end, bouncing and passing an orange ball.” He’s also surprised when a new friend shows him “a shelf out of the wall, holding a circular pad with a small bump at its center. She shows him a square of cardboard featuring a picture of five long-haired men. From the square she pulls a black disc resembling obsidian. Shandhra places the disc onto the circular pad; a hole over its center fits neatly over the bump. She presses a button, causing the disc to rotate, then lifts a stick and sets the tip onto the spinning surface.”

I love the imagery created in this alter world. The description of everything is brief but the adjectives bring every item into clear focus.

While I consider myself a patriot, and thus one of the bad guys in this political commentary, the writing and the story were compelling enough to allow me to ignore the slights and even appreciate the tree huggers and the bio-meats created in this climate changed world. It’s a lovely story. Don’t let politics one way or the other keep you from this delightful story.

[Gill Metcalf]

A mild post apocalyptic story. Based on a interesting concept of mass mind manipulation and prejudice. Probably worth a read since it is interesting but definitely not a thriller

[CINDY MCLAUGHLIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

A good read. Hard to follow in the beginning. But hang in there, it turns into a good read. Recommend.

[Oscar Turtle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little end of the world as we know it tale. Large portions of thevworldnare flooded, but people survive and fight for survival. A nice read but really nothing new.

A good read