The Declaration
Imagine you are living in the mid-22nd century in a world in which aging is no longer feared and longevity is infinite? Yet in this seeming idealism—there is one ultimate price— children are outlawed! ‘If no one dies and people have more children, there’s nowhere for everyone to go.’ This is the world that Gemma Malley expertly conveys in her excellent debate novel, The Declaration.
Anna is a fourteen-year-old ‘surplus’. In short, a child, who is an abomination by society. Snatched away from her parents as a toddler, she resides at an austere boarding school, where she and her fellow ‘surpluses’ are taught that their existence is a crime against Mother Nature and humanity as a whole. Due to the creation of longevity drugs in 2030, death has all but disappeared. As a result, the world has become overpopulated and lacks natural resources. In 2080, The Declaration is introduced—an agree to never have children. But Anna’s ‘selfish’ parents did both; they broke The Declaration – and now Anna must to pay the price. Her only hope is to continue to train at Grange Hall – where she is a prefect—in order to become a Valuable Asset to the Legals (those who are allowed to exist. We follow Anna’s experiences in the world outside of Grange Hall as she is forced to question the doctrine which has been forced upon her for most of her life and the events which turn her world upside down forever.
The novel fulfils on several levels. It is on the surface a fabulous read. For those willing to go a little deeper, it questions the very nature of scientific advancement and delivers fascinating social commentary on the possibilities of longevity and what some scientists already now believe - that everyone under the age of sixty-five may live indefinitely. Previously the idea of immortality intrigued me. But Anna’s dark, disturbing world, casts an altogether more eerie light on the subject. We see the concept of youth, which is often so desperately desired in our society, turned on its head, as the children of the world are shunned in favour of the ageless.
When competing against such classics in this genre as Orwell’s 1984, and Huxley’s Brave New World, most authors, no matter how brilliant, would have their work cut-out. Malley, however, achieves this in such a breathtaking fashion, that it’s no surprise The Declaration has been compared very favourably to such classics. Unlike most Science-fiction novels, Malley paints an incredibly realistic picture of a dystopia society, that doesn’t feel fictitious in any way. Similarly, the characters come to life on the page— particularly Anna, who experiences a strong metaphorical journey throughout the novel.
The plot is crafted artfully; bravely tackling various ethical arguments with refined subtlety and skill. Many would say that the book can be seen as an introduction to philosophical thinking— and if you are one for pondering the depths of mortality, society and human relationships, then this novel is for you!
9/10 **********
By Jessica Beasley