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Reminiscent of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, An Unnatural Life by Erin K. Wagner is an intriguing novella you don’t want to miss.
Title: An Unnatural Life
Author: Erin K. Wagner
Pages: 185 (paperback)
Point of View: 3rd person
Genres: Sci-fi
Installment: stand alone
It’s the year 2145 and lawyer Aiya Ritsehrer has taken on her first real case since she moved to Europa, the smallest of Jupiter’s moons, as one of the settlers. Aiya meets 812-3, a cybernetic organism imprisoned for murdering a human worker, through a rehabilitation program. However, when he claims not to have committed the crime, Miss Ritsehrer decides to take on his case.
Very Realistic
This book is very short and thanks to its length the world-building is restricted, but that’s intended as the focus on An Unnatural Life lies on life in the settlement. Specifically, on the coexistence with artificial lifeforms and the laws they are granted. I do believe that the prejudice mentioned is very realistic and could very easily happen sometime in the future.
The writing style itself is very fitting for the book. It feels robotic at times and tells rather than shows, but leaves you with questions at the same time. When you read this you will constantly feel the unfairness twisting your heart. From the way Aiya’s life gets turned upside down to the prejudice displayed time and time again. Fair warning: you might be confused at first by the notes in between chapters, but they will make sense at some point.
“I am sorry there is no place safe from that, from murder.”
Will Make You Think About Social Justice
You’ll be able to sympathize with the characters, but you probably won’t form any attachments, because of the length, point of view, and writing style of the novella. I had a feeling where this story was going and I’m sad to see that I was correct. Also, there is more or less an open ending, but you do have a clue where it is leading to. So, it isn’t that frustrating after all.
Based on a very interesting and realistic notion, this novella will make you think about social justice and the parallels to our time.
Did I succeed in making you want to read An Unnatural Life by Erin K. Wagner? If so, you can buy a copy here: Thalia | Amazon USA