Review: Shadows in the Supreme Hall?
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 2, 2014
Irradiance by David Bruns is a brooding science fiction novel that borders on psychological thriller in its focus on the family as victims of a totalitarian society. Maribel and Reese are gifted by twins Gideon and Sariah, but eventually come to realize that their blessing may have come as a curse in their futuristic society. She is continually reminded of the social maxim: the Community is your first responsibility as a Citizen. Bruns pays homage to such classics as Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 as we see how personal liberties and intellectual development are marginalized by a cult of personality. The cultural icon in this case is Supreme Councilor Veelich, who is intent on bringing Maribel into the fold despite her reservations.The author introduces us to the Book Club headed by Dr. Olgana, a group intent on resisting the suffocating influence of the Community. Although Veelich’s top goon Sweepe is able to take Olgana out of the picture, the manipulators are faced with a greater problem in trying to separate a mother from her children. In this we see how Bruns arrives at the common denominator. We can see how media influence in modern-day society can cause us to question our ethnicity, our political allegiances and our religion. Even when sons are turned against fathers and brothers against sisters, the love of a mother for her children is seldom quenched. Bruns takes us to the bottom line where the conceits of community and citizenship cannot endure.For sci-fi fans and suspense/thriller fans alike, Irradiance by David Bruns is one you won’t want to miss.