Book Review – There is no Anti-memetics Division

I am a fan of high-concept science fiction.  I like the way the genre explores imaginative thinking and concepts.  I enjoyed my experience with this work.  But, it’s probably not for everyone.  I suspect there will be some that tap-out early because of the non-linear nature of the narrative.  But, if you stick with it, it all ties together in the end.

You can’t understand this book without being aware of the SCP-Foundation.  The SCP-Foundation is a fictional ‘society’ on the internet.  I’m just going to quote the Wiki here – >

The fictional setting of the SCP universe revolves around the findings and activities of the SCP Foundation, an international non-governmental secret society consisting of a scientific research institution and a paramilitary intelligence agency.

In practice it is a place that invites creatives to contribute ideas and work.

This ‘book’ was originally created as a serial in/on the SCP-Foundation.  That explains the mysterious ‘Log-entry’ format.  And also explains the disjointed narrative.

My experience in reading this book was that many of the chapters felt very standalone.  Which they were, originally.  Then they were edited together into a semi-rational novel narrative.

As a writer I can appreciate that this must have been a harrowing process – pasting all these great snippets into something that could be published as a novel.

I also had a unique experience consuming this work.  I read the first few chapters on my Kindle, then listened to the bulk of it on a long car trip, then finished it on the Kindle.

It get’s long and lost at times.  A few more passes with a structural editor might have helped.  But for what it was, it was cool.

The ideas were cool.  It brushes up against apocalyptic fiction.  But the apocalypse of the mind.  It also plays with a concept near and dear to my heart – the power of words and language.  I’m seeing more of this in contemporary science fiction.  And I think that says something about where we are as a society.

At the end of the day, not a perfect work, but an interesting work.  If you’re a Sci-Fi nerd like me and have a little patience, you’ll find it thoughtful and rewarding.