Juno of Taris

“WOW” - Fleur Beale’ s 2008 novel transported me late into the night two evenings running.  A teenager put it under my nose and said “you should read this” - the highest recommendation going.  After a few pages I decided that I would have to read it quickly if I was going to be able to resist the urge to read the ending before finishing the body - always a sign for me that I’m into an exceptional book.

Setting - the 21st century world is in self destruct mode and in response to this a select group of 500 people are sent to a remote island with a biodome.  They are the Taris Project.  In theory this community will be self-sufficient, self-perpetuating, self-preserving.  But in reality …….

There are many themes within this book such as sustainability, freedom of choice, power, deception, genetic engineering, going against the tide and more.  For me the wordsmith fan the intrigue lies in ‘what will happen to this community who have had everything containing the written word confiscated from their everyday lives?’  There are no books, noone is taught to read, oral history gets dodgier by the day …..  it appears that people denied knowledge become people with no identity and no concept of choice.  Thank goodness for Juno and the other rebels in Taris society.  Best not say anymore - read it - you won’t be disappointed.

It’s right up there with some of my other favourites -The Giver / Lois Lowry,  City of Ember series / Jeanne Duprau, Inkheart / Cornelia Funke,  Ender’s Game /  Orson Scott Card