Nekropolis

"Nekropolis" is a short but moving book set in a future Morrocco governed by a repressive neo-Islamic order. However, the exotic location is almost (but not quite) beside the point, since the true focus of the book is on questions of love, choice, and the divergent natures and needs of the lovers. The two main protagonists, Hariba and Akhmim, are unlikely pair, since neither one is truly free to love without compulsion. Hariba is a "jessed" servant in a rich man's house. The "jessing" is a psychosurgical procedure that fixes her loyalty on her master. If she leaves, she will sicken and die. Akhmim is a genetically engineered being, a "harni," designed to be the ultimate lover, but unable to be truly happy separated from his own kind. His nature dictates that he will bond irrevocably to a single person and will, if neccesary, sacrifice his own needs and desires for that person's happiness. Hariba's naive love for Akhmim prompts her to leave her master when they are separated, and, because he has bonded to her, Akhmim's love compells him to follow when she runs away. But their new-found freedom cannot give them happiness, and therein lies the sadness of the book. Much of the action takes place in the characters' psyches, and the narrative focus switches from chapter to chapter between Hariba, Akhmim, and other important figures in Hariba's life. The alternating perpsecives can be disconcerting at first, but they widen the angle of the lens focused on the lovers. This is not the book to read if you're in the mood for space opera or other plot-driven genres of SF. But if you're interested in a more philosophic look at the nature of love then McHugh's novel is a rewarding read.

I've been a fan of McHugh's since her first novel, "China Mountain Zhang," but have felt as though she hadn't written the book I've been wanting her to write. Well, with "Nekropolis" she has delivered that book. This is an engaging, extremely well-written view of the future, from a perspective that most science fiction writers simply don't give us -- the perspective from the 'have-nots' in a more technologically sophisticated time. She explores issues of class, gender, sexuality and power in an emotionally accessible, even compelling, fashion. There is not a trace of didacticism in this book, yet it is an extremely serious look at important sociological issues. For fans of LeGuin, Russ, Tepper, I would immediately and highly recommend this novel.

With the same gritty reality Mission Child and China Mountain, Nekropolis lets the reader experience life as a believable person in a future world gone wrong. In clean and vivid first person narration, we hear of the courage and compassion of seemingly ordinary people as they struggle with the bizarre cirumstances of their lives.

This is the first book I read from this superb author. Not only is the story beautifully crafted, the situations keep you connected and tense until the end. The book is constructed in five chapters, each narrated in first person by one of the main characters. I will not bore the reader explaining what the story is about (read the other previous reviews), but I will say that the author has found a very unusual, touching and profoundly unsettling way to approach delicate issues, such as prejudice, fear of rejection, genetic engineering of beings and its consequences, social stigma, sex and love among different sub-cultures. It's magnificent in every way, the proof that a good sci-fi book doesn't need a huge amount of complicated paraphernalia to be interesting and powerful, or to keep the reader involved. As a matter of fact, it would be extremelly limiting to classify it as a "sci-fi" book; instead, let me just say it is an incredibly well crafted book, by an undeniably gifted author. A must read for book lovers.

In a future Morocco, slavery is legal, an institution deeply ingrained into the fiber of society. Slaves are jessed, given mind-altering drugs that make them loyal and eager to please their master. Hariba, born into poverty in the NEKROPOLIS, actually lived with her family in adjoining crypts until her brother was caught in the sin of adultery. He was flogged and sentenced to thirteen years in prison. Hariba fearing any deep emotion sold herself into slavery and was jessed to her new master Mbarek. She becomes a housekeeper in his home where she meets the biological construct Akhmim. Despite herself, and knowing any relationship between them is illegal, she falls for him. When she is resold, she runs away from her new masters, taking Akhmim with her. Unless they can find a way to be smuggled into a country where slavery is illegal, even for Chimeras like Akhmim, the two risk capture and death at the hands of the authorities. Maureen F. McHugh has written a literary science fiction novel that will be enjoyed by fans of Ursula LeGuin. The story line is riveting, but what makes this work so very special is the way slavery is accepted by both slave and master alike. The subcultures of the biological constructs raise interesting social and ethical issues, especially what constitutes humanity. This is a novel that makes readers think and ponder their own values system. Ms. McHugh is going to be a giant in the science fiction genre.Harriet Klausner