The Utopia Of Us: An Anthology Inspired by Yevgeny Zamyatin’s ‘We’ edited by Teika Marija Smits (book review).
To celebrate the centenary of the original publication of ‘We’ by Yevgeny Zamyatin, editor/author Teika Marija Smits envisioned an anthology of fifteen stories inspired by the novel. She collaborated with Francesca Barbini at Luna Press to bring this vision to life. ‘We’, recognised as the first 20th-century dystopian novel, inspired ‘1984’ and ‘Brave New World’ and is acclaimed as a classic.
It depicts a scientifically managed totalitarian United State where individuals are reduced to numbers, uniformed, and under ceaseless surveillance. Reading ‘We’ is advisable to fully appreciate this homage, although a brief summary on Wikipedia might suffice for a cursory understanding, which could be enough to prepare readers for the fifteen tales that follow, a few of which are discussed below. The use of hyphens in titles reflects the styling of the original book.
‘Intrinsic – Extrinsic – Terrific’ by Aliya Whiteley explores the United State’s underground transport network through the perspective of U914. As travel tends to foster chattiness and a breakdown of social barriers, it sometimes leads to indiscreet conversations. U914 and her colleagues mitigate this by activating ‘pricklers’ in the seats, delivering subtle electric shocks to discourage such exchanges. One day, U914 overhears a woman talking to herself and decides to follow her, offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of ‘We’.
The existence in the United State feels overwhelmingly claustrophobic, especially for V-330, whose life revolves around decoding messages in his cubicle and passing them along. When one of his sources begins writing personal notes on the slips, V-330 faces a dilemma. Adrian Tchaikovsky crafts this story with a clever, unexpected twist, paralleling the mundane, bureaucratic life of Winston Smith in ‘1984’.
Anne Charnock’s ‘The Earth Heals – Silent Days – Vagaries and Savagery’ takes place in a sealed agricultural biosphere. A young rebel attempts to convince the conservative elders to adopt more adventurous methods. This compelling narrative, while brief, has the depth of a novel’s opening chapter, showcasing the versatility of the short story format.
Douglas Thompson’s ‘In Praise Of Two State – Epiphanies – The Morning After’ is narrated in the first person, reminiscent of ‘We’. It describes the narrator’s daily life in a different, yet equally intriguing state, challenging the reader to identify it.
Liam Hogan’s tale, ‘A Peculiar Job – The Wash – Someone Waiting For Me’, is set during the nascent stage of a new dystopia, where Electronically Assisted Telepathy, pioneered by HiveTech, links millions in shared thought. This backdrop hosts a uniquely personal story.
In ‘The Library Is Perfect – An Error – Underwater’ by Fiona Mossman, a misplaced book in a vast library triggers a profound shift in a librarian’s perspective, illustrating how minor disruptions can have transformative effects.
Ian Whates’ ‘Education – The Final Ingredient – The Cost Of Living’ blends humour with social commentary, depicting the urban elite’s disdainful view of agricultural workers through the eyes of Meredith, a crop overseer inconvenienced by a school visit.
Rayn Epremian’s ‘Swimming – Hunger – A Rusted Drum – A Ruinous Discovery’ presents a reverse scenario: a corporatist Martian society sends a mission to a chaotic Earth. Through surveillance, HR-33 learns crucial truths about himself and the mission, adding depth to the original’s themes.
This anthology, through its varied tales, serves as a fitting tribute to Zamyatin’s ‘We’, enticing new readers to explore the seminal work.
Eamonn Murphy
July 2024
(pub: Luna Press Publishing, 2024. 208 page enlarged paperback. Price: £16.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-91555-645-5)
check out website: www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page/bundle-anthologies-2024
