Overdrawn

September 28, 2020
Crosskey (Poster Boy) uses this powerful futuristic novel to explore the ethics of a health-care system built on capitalism. Following the collapse of a socialist utopia, the New Church holds that staying alive too long is selfish, and big companies promote euthanasia of the elderly and sick in order to financially benefit the younger generation. But elderly Henry Morris is determined not to let his wife, Chloe, who has dementia, go gently—even though he can no longer afford her medication. Kaitlyn Thomas is a waitress facing a similar financial dilemma to keep her brother, Jack, on life support. The two protagonists meet by chance at the hospital and devise an unusual plan to help each other make money: as “sterilization and termination considered responsible and sacred,” babies have become both rare and extremely valuable on the black market. So Henry donates his sperm and Chloe agrees to carry the child to term to sell to rich would-be parents. Meanwhile, Henry’s scheming son, David, works to secure his inheritance, and a tragic revelation about Henry and Chloe’s daughter is slowly teased out. Examining ageism, ableism, and misogyny, Crosskey succeeds in showcasing the value of human bonds while dealing with illness, trauma, and bureaucracy. Agent: Emily Sweet, Emily Sweet Assoc.

October 2, 2020

Enduring his wife's daily struggle with dementia, Henry Morris treasures her moments of clarity more than anything. In a dsytopian society where growing old is no longer cherished but considered irresponsible, and euthanasia of the elderly is prevalent, Henry continuously battles with the financial pressures of his wife's illness. Kaitlyn Thomas refuses to believe her brother, Jack, won't wake from his coma, but the bills are piling up and her fear of being alone is all-consuming. When Henry and Kaitlyn meet over a cup of coffee, their lives become intertwined in a way neither of them thought possible. They bring contrasting narratives but are still equally relatable. Their heartwarming relationship will draw in readers. VERDICT Crosskey (Poster Boy) delivers a compelling look into an ageist culture motivated by concern for environmental sustainability but completely devoid of the true meaning of life. Yet despite the nefarious state of this postapocalyptic world, Crosskey proves that out of the darkest circumstances, kindness and selflessness can still reign. A must for all sf/dystopian fiction collections.--Carmen Clark, Elkhart P.L., IN

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