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Song for a New Day (review)


 

I wouldn’t really call Sarah Pinsker’s novel A Song for a new Day a post-Apocalyptic novel because the apocalypse isn’t all that apocalyptic. But then that might be because I have become sensitized to it. The problems start with terrorist strikes, but then there is a global pandemic. You say, this is science fiction? Sounds just like the past couple of years. And it is, except that this book was written in 2019, just before we had a global pandemic.

There are two main characters: a singer named Luce Cannon (great name for a rock singer). She was an up-and-coming talent when everything went south. She gave up music for a while but then found the irresistible pull calling her back.  The other main character is a young wide-eyed talent scout named Rosemary. Rosemary has lived in her bubble for most of her life. She learns to push back some of her fears to grasp new opportunities. Her naivete is endearing but also lands her in trouble. There are two other ever-present entities in the book that aren’t really characters. One is a corporation that has its hands in just about everything, and it is hard not to spot the similarities with Amazon. The other is a sort of virtual reality music space called StageHoloLive that have pretty much monopolized the music industry. If people are not allowed to go to music concerts, StageHoloLive fills the bill. Well, that was the idea anyway. Unfortunately, even the most immersive virtual reality concert is not the same as being at a live concert (for either the audience or the band). But people who have never seen a live concert, don’t know any better. It is interesting that in our real-life pandemic of 2020, virtual platforms started springing up for concerts, conferences, and other “gatherings.” Even if they are not as sophisticated as StageHoloLive, the parallels are striking. Another thing that is parallel is that no matter how many Zoom conferences and concerts, plays, and meetings I have attended in the past two years, they always leave me wanting. It’s just not the same.

A Song for a New Day is a cautionary tale about the overindulgence of fear. People who hadn’t lived much of their lives before the event, were conditioned to fear contact with other people. In this world there are laws against “congregation” and most people seem content to obey them. But artists have always been a different breed, and music is stifled if there is no interaction with an audience. There are corporations and governments who benefit from fear and in the novel, they do everything they can to keep people in fear so they can retain their power.

An important point of distinction: when scientists tell you to fear something, you should listen. When government tells you to fear something, you should question it.

One of the things that does not quite parallel our current world, is the population’s more or less acceptance of the situation and conformance to the laws forbidding large gatherings. The characters we are following are in the rebel minority, but it is clear they are a minority. Most people obey the laws and avoid close contact with others. In our pandemic it started out that way, but it didn’t last long before hoards of people were revolting against restrictions. I can’t blame Pinsker for not seeing that coming. The whole past few years have been rather bizarre, and not just because of the pandemic.

This is not a fast-paced action thriller. It is a human story, and it is a story about trust. Do we trust the system? Do we trust each other? How is trust restored? A Song for a New Day gives a good impression of what it is like to be a musician, to be driven by the impulse to create and perform. Pinsker speaks from experience, being herself a musician. I am not a musician, but I helped raise one, and I know how frustrating and glorious the world of music can be. As well as giving you something to think about, this book will have you craving live music. One person really can make a difference. Thank you, Sarah Pinsker. We could all do with a little optimism right now.

Star Liner

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