The Merge: A Novel

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""Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." -C.S.LewisThis was the quote that kept coming to mind reading this book. And from covid to climate change, it couldn't come at a better time. The premise is deceptively simple: the climate is changing, the country is overpopulated, what better solution that science? A science that unites 2 people in 1 body effectively halving the population. Doesn't matter that it's horrible and inhumane. Doesn't matter that while purportedly voluntary, in practice the government and society make it almost impossible to refuse. Besides, why would any good, moral person refuse anyway? Don't they care for the environment? And if you don't do it for the environment, do it to save a loved one from a terminal illness. Why are you so worried? It's fine, it's tested, it's proven, trust the experts, trust the science. And if anything turns out to not be so fine, well we wouldn't want the world to know, it may cause hesitancy, and we need more people to acquiesce, not less! Sounds familiar?If it reminds you of Black Mirror, you're on the right track. And just like every episode has stuck with me in its disturbing prescience, i suspect this book will too. It hits all the right notes: the inhumanity of do-gooders, the unscrupulous preying on good people's best intentions, the "greater good" that's invariably the good of a few well stuffed pockets, the media selling itself to the highest bidder, a good dose of Orwellian "don't belive your lying eyes", and the ubiquitous " trust the experts, they would never deceive you".The first 2/3 of the book set up the stage: the social and political situation, the protests, and the main characters. Some reviewers complain it's too long, but i found it did a good job at making the reader invested. I found Laurie, the older lady with Alzheimer's, particularly endearing, which makes what follows a true punch in the gut. I was prepared to get to the end of the book without ever knowing whether Laurie and her daughter went through with the Merge when... well you'll have to read it for yourself.The writing is very clean without flourish, but don't make the mistake of thinking it's simplistic. There's much to unpack in few words. Don't rush through this book, the details are important.And once done ask yourself: what tyranny are you willing to tolerate for your pet idea of the "greater goid"? Food for thought."