Rory and mer partner Dylan face difficult decisions in the post-gender world of 2111 on Riddles Island, an idyllic self-sufficient island near what was once Maine. Ridlets (island residents) choose to live without computers, cell phones or children, and to use Newspeak pronouns to identify people in a gender-neutral manner.
"This visionary glimpse into humankind's potential future is an absolute must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction," according to
Kirkus Reviews, and, "The characters here are vividly drawn (even secondary characters are memorable), the world-building is nuanced and convincing, and its examination of gender identity and gender roles in society makes this novel hard to put down." https: //www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jan-e-pat/riddles-island/
Follow Rory and Dylan through a series of life-changing events in their sheltered community and adventure when they encounter threats to their relationship, and navigate journeys to the chaos of the mainland. Despite climate change, the lack of central governments and international business, Riddles Island and other independent villages, called citadels, craft meaningful lives amid the new realities.
The non-binary Ridlets have adopted different ways to use energy, pharmaceuticals, technology and transportation and along with new attitudes towards sex, reproduction and clothing in a world with no federal governments, stock markets or corporations. Genetic engineering has homogenized ethnicity and race, thus eliminating racial tension. Food, farms and clean water have taken on premium value. Fresh clean drinking water provides Ridlets trading power and security.
This visionary, post-gender, futuristic tale belongs on a shelf with
1984, Brave New World, Animal Farm, The Giver, Handmaid's Tale, and Octavia Butler's cautionary stories. The characters create lives full of purpose and community despite the lack of central governments and the impact of pandemics and fallout from nuclear bombs. Far from a disturbing dystopia,
Riddles Island offers hope and a vision of the future evolved from today's realities. People in 2111 manage to live together peacefully in small communities and engage in trade, reproduction, love, agriculture, education and cultural activities.
Ridlets strive to live simply, respect the environment, eschew technology except when absolutely necessary, govern democratically, grow their own food and rely on bicycles for on-island transportation.
Genetically-engineered racial, gender and ethnic homogeneity of the characters eliminates unnecessary labels, fears, discrimination, hatred and prejudice. People are free to be who they choose, without restrictive expectations based on race or gender, reflected by use of new pronouns and other words that promise opportunity and equality.
The author-invented non-binary pronouns and other words used throughout the book provide alternatives to standard English. Readers should expect to adapt to Newspeak throughout the text and refer the glossary provided in the front of the book.
Author Jan E. Pat uses a pseudonym to eliminate pre-judgement of the novel based on labels, gender, sexuality, income, age, race and ethnicity. See more at www.riddlesisland.wordpress.com.
