Scan barcode
A review by bethfishreads
The Sanctuary by Andrew Hunter Murray
3.5
As climate collapse starts to reach the breaking point, the world's wealthiest man moves to an island, where he has a built a paradise, which he hopes will be the seedbed for a better future.
When Ben's longtime girlfriend, Cara, stops communicating with him, he finds a way to get to the island where she's been working as a temporary consultant to John, the richest man in the world. Despite tight security and dangerous waters, Ben makes it to Sanctuary Rock, where he finds a peaceful society run by a charming man, who appears think only of the well-being of the people he's invited to the island.
Ben expected to hate John and is initially suspicious when he learns he won't be able to see Cara for a few days. Yet the more time Ben spends with John, the more his doubts fade into the background.
Yet, whenever Ben is about to be completely won over by John, he is confronted with something that raises questions no one will answer. For example, he asks: Where is Cara? What happened to the person who used to live in the room he's been assigned? What's the meaning of puzzling conversations he's overheard? How did John make his money?
The action is slow to develop, and sometimes I wanted to shake Ben to wake him up. But overall the novel prompts us to reflect on several relevant issues: how humans treat each other and the natural world, the economic divide and wealthy people's obligations to the less well off, ageism, isolationism, and genetic engineering.
All in all a solid, entertaining read.
The audiobook was read by the author, who is an experienced audiobook narrator. He did a fine job keeping me engaged and connecting me to Ben's shifting moods and loyalties.
Thanks to the audiobook publishers and libro.fm for the review copy.
When Ben's longtime girlfriend, Cara, stops communicating with him, he finds a way to get to the island where she's been working as a temporary consultant to John, the richest man in the world. Despite tight security and dangerous waters, Ben makes it to Sanctuary Rock, where he finds a peaceful society run by a charming man, who appears think only of the well-being of the people he's invited to the island.
Ben expected to hate John and is initially suspicious when he learns he won't be able to see Cara for a few days. Yet the more time Ben spends with John, the more his doubts fade into the background.
Yet, whenever Ben is about to be completely won over by John, he is confronted with something that raises questions no one will answer. For example, he asks: Where is Cara? What happened to the person who used to live in the room he's been assigned? What's the meaning of puzzling conversations he's overheard? How did John make his money?
The action is slow to develop, and sometimes I wanted to shake Ben to wake him up. But overall the novel prompts us to reflect on several relevant issues: how humans treat each other and the natural world, the economic divide and wealthy people's obligations to the less well off, ageism, isolationism, and genetic engineering.
All in all a solid, entertaining read.
The audiobook was read by the author, who is an experienced audiobook narrator. He did a fine job keeping me engaged and connecting me to Ben's shifting moods and loyalties.
Thanks to the audiobook publishers and libro.fm for the review copy.