FUTURE GIRL by Asphyxia

 (c) 2020

From the blurb: FUTURE GIRL is the art journal of a 16 year old Piper, a visual extravaganza of text, paint, collage and drawings, woven into a deeply engaging coming-of-age story set in near-future Melbourne, created by Deaf writer, artist and activist, Asphyxia.

As with all novels, it comes down to personal preference. I didn't like this book. The story was labored and repetitive. There were pivotal plot lines that were jarring and implausible, such as the so-called genius scientist mother losing her job in spite of being bff with the current prime minister (who pops into her squalid shack for a cuppa to discuss  evolving policies, two guards complete with cammo and weapons standing by the door). There were too many what I class as 'Willy Wonka Golden Ticket' moments - those coincidences that keep arising, one after the other, to set the scene for the next chapter. The protagonist, who is deaf, just happens to fall in love with a lad whose mother is deaf. What are the chances?

It's not all bad though. The concept of creating a novel with original artwork on every page kept me, at least, turning the pages. I also appreciated the author's efforts to evoke empathy in the reader in terms of what it would be like to be deaf. The detail here was astounding, right down to wearing hearing aids, learning sign and/or needing an interpreter. I found it amusing when Piper was fighting with her mum, as kids do, and simply whips out her hearing aids! Discussion over! I think there'd be times when that move would be a blessing.

Asphyxia presents a bleak look at the near future. Throughout the novel Piper is borderline starving to death. There are global food shortages and the synthetic food, invented by Piper's mum, has been shown to have damaging side  effects:

'DO YOU GET FOOD POISONING OFTEN?' I ask.

Marley laughs and holds up a single finger. Once! He mimes vomiting, then makes a dismissive gesture to show it wasn't that bad.

'I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SENDS JOURNALISTS TO HOSPITALS TO PUBLICISE EVERY SEVERE CASE.' It's a brain stretch to put together the individual letters of so many long words and make sense of what he's saying. 'THEY'RE TRYING TO GET US ALL HOOKED ON RECON.'

Once I've digested what he's said, I shoot back, 'I THOUGHT THEY WERE TRYING TO SAVE US FROM THE DANGERS OF UNBALANCED WILD FOOD.'

But even before I've finished spelling out the words, I'm thinking of everything mum told me. Maybe the news makes food poisoning seem more common than it really is, just to get Organicore more money. But what about recon's health benefits?

'MORE LIKE CONTROL US THROUGH FORCED RELIANCE ON BIG CORPORATIONS VIA MASS MEDICATION, LACK OF KITCHENS IN WELFARE PACKAGES, PROPAGANDA IN EDUCATION...'

'RECON CURED CANCER! FIXED THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC!'

Marley squints at me, head to the side. 'I NEVER FIGURED YOU FOR A RECON GIRL.'

(pp. 107-8)

Likely this novel will appeal to 12 - 14 year old girls who may well be enthralled to read about Piper's burgeoning love for Marley, and, that elusive First Kiss.

Happy reading and viewing!

Miss ^_^