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A review by ladylothlorien
Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read this one as part of a book club and it was a great book for that purpose. There was a lot for us to discuss! Overall, I enjoyed it, but my main complaint is similar to something I read from a book critic about the book: it's hard to tell what/who is satire and what/who is not. Some characters, like the Durants, are very obviously being satirized from start to finish. Other characters seem to only sometimes be satirized. However, it makes me uncomfortable to think about the two characters who are survivors of genocide (Mostar and Palomino) being satirized, mostly because I don't understand what the point of the satire would be. I don't *think* they were, but I'm honestly not sure, which is a problem in a book that is ultimately a satire.

That being said, I do think the main part of the satire worked pretty well. A high-tech community in a remote location where there are regular grocery deliveries by drone? Perfect. A couple who has a "pied a terre" in Seattle to get away from the remoteness of the community? YES. There is no emergency plan for what happens if the internet goes out? Absolutely would happen. It's a more specific version of the "clueless but confident man versus nature" story, featuring terrifying sasquatches in the role of "nature." 

I think if you don't mind just letting the story be what it is and don't ask too many questions about what a person can realistically do with their smart home with an iPad and no training, this is an enjoyable read.

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