Pages

Thursday, 20 January 2011

Review: 0.4 by Mike Lancaster


'My name is Kyle Straker. And I don't exist anymore.' 

So begins the story of Kyle Straker, recorded on to old audio tapes. You might think these tapes are a hoax. But perhaps they contain the history of a past world...If what the tapes say are true, it means that everything we think we know is a lie. 

And if everything we know is a lie does that mean that we are, too?

Over the past year or so I have occasionally had a little moan regarding the lack of intelligent science fiction stories written for young people these days. Keith Mansfield has produced two fine 'space opera' novels as part of his Johnny Mackintosh series, A.G. Taylor is flying a sci-fi flag with his brilliant Superhumans books and over in the US Douglas E. Richards has also produced a trio of cracking books for the 10+ involving alien worlds. But where are the John Wyndhams of the new millennium? Well there just might be a chance that Mike Lancaster is ready to step in and apply for the position. Yes, I know that John Wyndham is a legend in science fiction circles, and books like Day of the Triffids, The Chrysalids and The Midwich Cuckoos are true classics of the genre, but young readers just developing a thirst for science fiction often prefer something a little more modern in writing style before progressing on to the classics, and they could do a hell of a lot worse than start off with 0.4.

The opening pages of 0.4 inform the reader that the item in their hands is a book, and we very quickly work out that this future society no longer reads as we do, and the written word has been obsolete for many years. The book goes on to tell us that the story is a transcript taken off some old analogue cassette tapes, and if what is dictated on the pages is genuine then it could have a huge impact on how these people view their society. The bulk of the story is then written in the first person, that being Kyle Straker, an average teenage boy who lives in a typical small town British village. He goes to school, he has friends, his family situation has been happier, but everything goes on as normal.... until the day he volunteers to be hypnotised at the annual village talent contest. One minute he, and three other volunteers, are being put into a state of hypnotic sleep, and the very next they are 'waking' to discover everyone else in the village has become a living statue, frozen doing whatever they were doing at that single moment in time. The mystery, and their terror, intensifies as the foursome discover that the phones are also dead, and there is nothing but static on the radio. However, this terror is nothing compared to what they feel as the villagers suddenly 'awaken'.......

I really don't want to say any more about the storyline as to do so would create spoilers. All I will say is that older science fiction fans will probably feel that the author was partly inspired by Invasion of the Bodysnatchers, but there are also parallels to be drawn with the previously mentioned The Midwich Cuckoos. I certainly experienced the same sensation of eeriness and creeping dread that I felt when I first saw both Invasion films and first read Wyndham's classic; and it is the kind of feeling that meant I just did not want to put the book down. Usually this only happens with books that I have long been anticipating, but I had not heard of 0.4 until the kind people at Egmonst sent it along with a copy of The Shadowing, and so having started this as I went to bed I found myself reading well into the night.

The engaging and fast moving plot is aided admirably by the author's main character. Kyle is a long way from being the kind of boy we find in many books for the 12+ age group these days - he is certainly no Alex Rider. As I said before, he is an average teenage boy, and it is his very ordinariness that makes the story that much more believable. As I have said before in reviews, children often like their heroes to be normal kids, as they find it much easier to relate to the actions they take when placed in extremely difficult situations.

Throughout the book the narrative is occasionally broken up with editor's notes (Mike Lancaster being named as the editor of this future society). He uses these notes to clarify certain cultural references that Kyle makes, a device that  adds to the concept of this being a transcript of tapes recorded long ago. Let's face it, a society that no longer reads would hardly be expected to know the meaning of terms such as 'Coldplay', 'Britain's Got Talent' and 'Teletubbies'. I say this adds to the concept, but I personally found these notes a little intrusive and distracting at times. Perhaps they would have been better placed at the rear of the book as a glossary? That minor gripe aside this is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I will certainly be looking out for more from him in the future.

39 comments:

  1. This sounds like a good one--thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my gosh, it seems I'll like it ^^
    I'm gonna note it ! Thx

    ReplyDelete
  3. The cover alone is amazing! Your review made me think of The Matrix.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'd like to read this one I think. (Really love the cover!) Spotted it in a few places and it always looks interesting. I always cringe when books have pop-culture references though, they date so quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  5. i loved this book - mega creepy and you're never quite sure what exactly is going on very bodysnatcheresque

    ReplyDelete
  6. I hardly dared to read this as I have this book and I am SO looking forward to it. Completely agree about the lack of good sci-fi books.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really loved this book,keep sharing more.
    Norton setup provides you’re the highly secure antivirus software that protects your PC and Laptops from threats, viruses, and Malware. install the software on your Devices by visiting: https://i-norton.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Really great article, Glad to read the article. It is very informative for us. Thanks for posting.Norton™
    provides industry-leading antivirus and security software
    for your PC, Mca, and mobile devices Visit @: - McAfee.com/activate | norton.com/setup | McAfee.com/activate

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you so much for this wonderful Post and all the best for your future. I hope to see more post from you. I am satisfied with the arrangement of your post. You are really a talented person I have ever seen. Norton.com/setup

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank™ you for sharing excellent information. ✆ Your website is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this website ☞ It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked♠ this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK£ I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What a great website. Visit௹☞ Norton.com/setupoffice.com/setupTelstra supportPlumbers Near Me | office.com/setup | Nurton.com/nu16..

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you so much for this wonderful Post and all the best for your future. I hope to see more post from you. I am satisfied with the arrangement of

    your post. You are really a talented person I have ever seen. Norton.com/setup

    ReplyDelete


  12. To install office setup you have to select the downloaded file otherwise insert the office setup CD disc. If you use the CD disc then you have to enter the Office Product Key for authorizing it. After selecting the downloaded file you have to run or setup this file on your computer.

    office.com/setup

    ReplyDelete
  13. Norton gives protection from the majority of the dangers that endure in the advanced domain. To get Norton setup, go to norton.com/setup.
    Feel Free to contact us:
    norton.com/setup|norton.com/setup|norton.com/setup

    ReplyDelete
  14. To get protection, download, install and activate norton setup with 25-digit alphanumeric product key at norton.com setup. In case a new user, then create an account or log In by entering email address and password.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Norton is a reputed and cost-effective antivirus suite company which offers protection so that

    no virus can damage your computer. It also provides many other products and services apart

    from antivirus.

    norton.com/setup

    ReplyDelete
  16. office.com/setup - Easy guide to install office setup at www.office.com/setup Online. Get Started with MS Office Setup at office.com/setup.

    ReplyDelete
  17. www.trendmicro.com/downloadme For Trend Micro Download , you must create a Trend Micro account from trend micro that can help you in smooth Trend Micro installation.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thankyou for Sharing The Awesome Blog Post I Found This Article
    To Be Very Infromative and Helpfull, I am a Web Developer and
    Graphic Designer From Canada and I Love to read and Write Blog About
    New Techonology Trends.
    Some Of My Web Blogs
    Click to Process
    norton.com/setup
    www.norton.com/setup
    login.norton.com
    my.norton.com
    norton support
    norton com setup
    norton chat support

    ReplyDelete
  20. I really happy found this website eventually. Really informative and inoperative, Thanks for the post and effort! Please keep sharing more such blog.

    norton setup

    spectrum email login

    kaspersky activation

    ReplyDelete
  21. I really happy found this website eventually. Really informative and inoperative, Thanks for the post and effort! Please keep sharing more such blog.

    norton setup

    spectrum email login

    kaspersky activation

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow, What incredible information you have shared through your blog, all information is very important for me to thank you so much admin for sharing such content with us. I have also some links which I am gonna share here. norton.com/setup
    www.norton.com/setup, Norton product key

    ReplyDelete
  23. IJ Network Device Setup Utility is the software application that enables your computer to communicate with the printer. You can use this utility on your computer. Canon.com/ijsetup is a website to download Canon printer drivers, you can also visit .canon com-ijsetup website for the same. | ij.start.canon | ij start canon | canon.com/ijsetup

    ij.start.canon | ij start canon | canon.com/ijsetup | ij.start canon | canon ij setup

    ReplyDelete
  24. I’m really impressed with your article, such great & useful knowledge you mentioned here. Thanks for sharing your information.
    tp link extender setup

    ReplyDelete
  25. You will be given the new and revised Canon drivers for the printing press for the Canon print set-up. This is canon .com/ijsetup or canon com/ijsetup. You should set up a Canon printer with USB and wireless connection. In this CANON.COM/IJSETUP guide, we'll help you set up a Canon printer with USB and wireless connection. Follow the steps below to set up Canon Printer Drivers, and we'll tell you quick steps so you can do it yourself. Visit our site for more information.
    Visit site: canon.com/ijsetup

    ReplyDelete
  26. "Thankyou for sharing the wonderful post and all the best for your future. I hope to see more post from you. I am satisfied with the arrangement of your post.
    You are really a talented person I have ever seen
    aol email login| aol email login|
    netgearrouterlogin|facebooksignin|
    gmail not working|comcastemaillogin|
    roadrunneremaillogin|
    aol email login|
    paypallogin||aol email login||
    yahoo maillogin||yahoo maillogin|
    quickbooks online login||
    intuit quickbooks login||
    amazoncompromocode"

    ReplyDelete
  27. Amazing things here. I am very satisfied to peer your article. Thank you a lot and I am taking a look forward to touch you.
    Start printing the quality documents with ij start canon inkjet printer and download the setup from canon to start printing. You can get help from the official support site to set up the Canon printer. It allows you to gain most printing features from Canon products.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I really enjoyed this content.
    Keep posting all these information.
    To bring your canon printer setup, you have to give a tick at canon by opening an internet browser on your PC framework.
    In case if you have any queries and to solve your troubles just check into my websites or blogs to resolve your problems.
    canon ij setup

    ReplyDelete
  29. Enter Trend micro activation code on www.trendmciro.com/activate | www.trendmicro/activate to download and activate Trend Micro. To activate Trend micro, make sure you already have an activation code that you’ll probably enter on the trendmicro.com/activate site.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Cox Email Login is an online login portal that the company provides to its customers enabling them to operate 10 email accounts each capable of 2 GB storage.
    cox webmail login |
    camps.intuit.com | camps.intuit.com |
    microsoft365.com/setup

    ReplyDelete

  31. Defend against the unknown threats and proceed for Trend micro download with www.trendmicro.com/activate having Advanced Machine Learning Technology. Trend micro security is the best way to save your Connected World to all the digital part. Install www.trendmicro/activate from the official site and get the trend micro activation key to complete the process.

    ReplyDelete
  32. This article is very much helpful and I hope this
    will be useful information for the needed ones.
    Keep on updating these kinds of informative things...
    We are the Bulk SMS Service provider for futher details Please follow the link below
    TransactionSMS

    ReplyDelete
  33. Microsoft Office Setup has an exceptional assortment of applications that can

    perform different tasks with cool features. We provide support for latest

    version of Microsoft office 365. If you have any problem related to

    installation ,activation and much more Feel free to to contact us Visit
    office-setup-key or Looking to

    discover the best partner to help you with office-setup
    and some other kind of software recommendations, you are in the right place
    then. We are here to help students, IT professionals and beginners to learn all

    about setting up office setup with product key.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Visit www.hp.com/go/wirelessprinting and open the door to the world of HP smart printing solutions. HP wireless printer is a versatile printing device that helps you print, scan, copy and fax your documents as per the requirement.
    Visit ij.start.canon | ij.start canon and find out the best way to download Canon printer drivers. Canon printers are ideal for every situation wherever you need a document, paper, or photo print or even if you wish to scan, fax, and do more ijstart.canon will make you learn how to set up a canon printer to get advanced printing features.

    ReplyDelete