Can you call it dystopian when it sounds alarmingly similar to real life? Butler said that in writing this novel and the sequel she imagined what natural consequences we would suffer if we continue on our current trajectory with no extraterrestrial or psycho telekinetic influence. She imagined irreversible climate damage, economic crisis, a wider gap between the rich and the poor, and a government promising to protect us while enabling corporations to exploit us.

Brilliantly written, engaging and poignant for our time especially.