2084: The End of the World

Boualem Sansal

This is a humdinger of a dystopian world, run by religious maniacs with an eye to the main chance, and nothing is what is seems. It is not clear who is deluded and who is doing the deluding. Ati, the hero, becomes a heretic by mistake, and this unleashes all hell on the theocratic republic of Abistan. You will find echoes of 1984, of Brave New World and other dystopian future novels - and extra delights for your delectation. Enjoy.

Extract

Ati went back downstairs and locked himself in the storage room, trying to breathe deeply in order to still the pounding of his heart and to overcome his fear. His spirits were aching and his body was a raw wound. Before long his breathing slowed, and he foundered in a deep lethargy.

And so he spent the day between nervous sleep, deep oblivion and semi-consciousness.

Parallels