Title: CULL
Author: Tanvir Bush
Genre: General Fiction, Sci-Fi, Dystopian
Publisher: Unbound
Release Date: 23rd January 2019
BLURB from Goodreads
A sharp and outrageous satire about the deadly
dark side of discrimination Alex has a problem. Categorized as one of the
disabled, dole-scrounging underclass, she is finding it hard to make ends meet.
When in her part-time placement at the local newspaper she stumbles onto a
troubling link between the disappearance of several homeless people, the
government's new Care and Protect Act, and the Grassybanks Residential Home for
the disabled, elderly and vulnerable, she knows she has to investigate
further... but at what cost to herself and her guide dog Chris?
PURCHASE LINKS
REVIEW
The first thing that attracted my interest to the book was in
fact the cover. I think the cover though quite simplistic is presents a
powerful image. The way the C in the word Cull is used to represent a
wheelchair leaves the prospective reader in no doubt about what is trying to be
“culled” in the book. I then read the blurb and felt a strong urge to read the
book. With having health issue’s myself as well as looking after both my
parents who had multiple health issues and both of them are or have been wheelchair
uses too I could view the problems the characters have in this book from their
point of view and the point of view as a carer too.
I have seen this book labelled as general fiction, sci-fi and
dystopian. I would say that perhaps the sci-fi label could be a little off
putting to some readers but I have to agree with the genres listed. The
dystopian element is more of a futuristic slant of what could actually be
happening in our present society. I suppose the Sci-Fi and Dystopian themes
also refer to the “survival of the fittest” aspect of the book.
I really enjoyed reading this book from the point of view of
Alex who is visually impaired and needs a guide dog. At first I thought I
couldn’t like the sections done from the perspective of Chris, who is Alex’s
guide dog but upon reading them I found some parts from Chris’ view point
interesting too. I found the book thought provoking and I am sure some people
will find the language used in it and some of the books perceptions to be
controversial. This book takes place in a time that could well be coming to
Britain soon. The government are making budget cuts to benefits and help they
provide disabled people. Rather like we see, in our present day, people are
dying and committing suicide rather than being made to feel a burden on
society. There are also those elements of society who like to apportion blame
for the “state of the country and its finances” on those less fortunate or with
disabilities. In this book there are various incidents throughout where certain
characters are verbally and physically abusive to the characters who have
disabilities.
The government are putting money into extending a local facility
called Grassybanks. The attitude of those in power is to find the cheapest
way to take care of those that are costing them money. There is a group of
Doctors and Professors that are running various schemes and building new
hospital type equipment such as chiller beds and a machine called the
resomator. In fact there is somewhat of a competition going on for who can
"take care of the problem" the quickest.
The tables are turned at one point in the book where a movement
calling themselves Boudicca try to show those in charge and working at
Grassybanks what they are doing and how they would feel being treat the way
they are doing with disabled people. I don't want to reveal much more as that
would mean giving away spoilers.
I adored all the aspects of the character of the guide dog
Chris. He is all serious when working, and in his harness and feels both
responsible and protective of Alex. I thought the descriptions of the “off
harness” times when Chris is obsessed about chasing a ball just like any other
dog. There’s also the inevitable part when Chris is being cared for by a friend
of Alex who has a baby. The baby is being fed and dropping food on the floor
and though Chris knows he shouldn’t, he can’t seem to help himself from licking
up the food.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this book were that
I found it interesting, thought provoking, as
well as totally believable. Today's society isnt that far away from having
chilling beds and resomator......who knows they may already exist somewhere.
I could seriously identify both with being a
carer and also with having disabilities. The fight to be heard, get the
diagnosis and the end up begging for help that is supposed to be readily
available but you cannot seem to get access too no matter how much you beg,
plead, cry, shout or scream for it! I have also been left with an uneasy
feeling that this government is steering the country and it's people towards
this type of society.
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