science fiction

This Perfect Day - Ira Levin Book Review

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"This Perfect Day"
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Review Summary
In this 1970's book, the author explores a society in the near future which totally controls and represses all members. Difference between members is negated to the point that all members of the society are considered alike - actually genetic manipulation has taken place to make everyone of equal height, skin color, etc.
Even worse is the mind control which extends to every portion of life - and is augmented by chemical infusions. There are only four names for girls and four names forboys. A frequent theme for the youth is winning and losing are t he same- it is the game. The only heroes of this world are Christ, Marx, Wood and Wei
Gradually, the protaginist, Li (or Chip - his forbidden name given by his grandfat her) - begins to seek a way out of this stifling atmosphere.
His trials and tribulations - backsliding to the safe norm - and eventual fate make for one of the most exhilirating but depressing books I have ever read - given that it was written in1970, it is amazing how much of the total control can be seen to be something that could actually happen.

Laddi , Resident Scholar


Detailed literary breakdown of This Perfect Day
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Repressive society story Yes
Repressive because: - drugs you - controls your mind - strict rationing of freedoms/goods
Inner Struggle Yes
Plotlet: - search for identity/new understanding
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - scientist - blue collar worker
Age: - 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - Computer
Age: - long-lived adults
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount - throughout most of the book.
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Earth setting: - medium future 22-24th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 1st - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed - some scientific explanation
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references only
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog - little dialog
Most similar books to This Perfect Day
THX 1138 by Ben Bova
Air by Geoff Ryman
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Yeresunsa by Abby Goldsmith
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley




Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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