The world has changed. Now, after The Change,
people in areas worst affected are even more desperate to get to those places
less so – like Britain. Britain’s answer is The Wall that stretches the whole
coastline and the Defenders who man (and woman) it with searchlights and
rifles.
Defenders are conscripted. Everyone has to do
their two years on the Wall; their tour of duty increased for any lapse of
attention or breach of discipline. Twelve hour shifts, two weeks on two weeks
off, one of which is for training and the other leave. But where to go for your
leave? Back to your parents who have caused the mess, the Change, and put you
on the Wall?
We join Kavanagh on his first day, experience
the cold, the tedium, the fear of action that would break the tedium, looking
out for those trying to get in over the Wall. As for those Others trying to get
in, they are getting increasingly desperate and well organised. There are
rumours of inside help, traitors at work.
And another thing, for every Other who
breaches the wall and gets away, a responsible Defender is sent the other way,
‘put to sea’ and abandoned to their fate.
The book is refreshingly compact and is
convincing in its dystopian outlook. The mind numbing routine and the
interludes of frantic action are nicely balanced. No spoilers, but there are
also tastes of life either side of the Wall.
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