Hystopia

by David Means

Reviewed by Vijaya Kukutla

Fall 2016

REVIEW: Hystopia by David Means

ISBN#: 9780865479135

THE STORY:

Set in Michigan, America, fixed around the time of Kennedy’s first assassinated and the Vietnam War, the book Hystopia spins out a unique storyline of the enfolded victims of the Vietnam War. Enfolded soldiers come from the Psych Corps building established and initiated by President Kennedy. The author’s America is an alternate America, with bleak violence everywhere. Rake, an enfolded Vietnam War soldier, goes amiss and abducts Meg, who is another enfolded soldier. Though
Rake’s thoughts are not clear, it is obvious he is in pure anger as he goes on a killing rampage, taking away lives of random strangers. Meg, having no choice, must watch all of the murders Rake commits. Rake is disgruntled and always shows control, leaving no room for others to argue. Over in the Psych Corps building, agents are desperately attempting to end the killing spree of Rake, for he is taking perfectly treated enfolds and ruining them. Two agents, also enfolded soldiers, Singleton and Wendy, unknowingly working on the same case, come together and aid each other. Throughout the story, most of the enfolded characters struggle with an internal debate. To remember or to forget? To continue to be enfolded and forget what they have seen or to address the memories that plague them? The theme shows through as Rake’s motives are proved and Singleton and Wendy start to hesitate as well. Throughout a troublesome journey with memories haunting at the backs of their minds, Singleton and Wendy must terminate Rake from his doing. (250)

MY OPINION:

I’ve read various types of books, however, I’ve certainly never read a book like Hystopia. Hystopia’s spins out a unique story line and it is one that has the potential to grasp anyone’s attention. In my point of view, Hystopia contrasts from contemporary books. Frankly, I was hesitant to read this book, because it’s historical fiction and no one has ever mentioned it before. There are a few things within the book that I find as weaknesses. First off, the story is mature and it uses words not meant for younger ages. In the start of the book, there are no quotation marks around the dialogue and it can be quite confusing. It’s not an easy read, I would think, because although the words are straightforward, the story is not. Yet, Hystopia is an amazing book. It takes you back to the aftermath of the Vietnam War and the darkness that followed the soldiers that took part in it. The words, the dialogue and the characters are crafted together in a way where the theme is showed through every chapter. The theme is uncommon. To remember or to forget? And because of the theme, style, and words of Hystopia, I would suggest this book to high schoolers or any mature readers. Altogether, I would rate this book seven out of ten stars and I truly wouldn’t mind rereading it. (226)

STUDY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

FIRST SECTION

1. What is Rake’s credo?

1a. Rake’s credo is to never kill for a good reason. Never go for the easy kill. However, don’t stretch the kill out either. (pg. 31)

2. Why did Rake take Meg in the car with him?

2a. When he heard her name, he believed her past story connects to him and he want to understand the past. (pg. 31)

3. Why are Singleton and Klein hunting down Rake?

3a. Because Rake is taking “perfectly cured individuals” and he’s converting them back to their “traumatized states”. (pg. 47-48)

4. Who is Singleton?

4a. A previously treated patient, now being trained by Klein, a psych corps agent. (pg. 58)

5. When they question Meg about Rake, what does she say?

5a. She grunts, because Rake demanded that she say nothing. (pg. 99)

sequitur (pg. 29)

bleak (pg. 37)

verbiage (pg. 50)

ardor (pg. 72)

cyclical (pg. 103)

MIDDLE SECTION

6. What does it mean to be enfolded and why do people do it?

6a. To be enfolded is a treatment, mainly war survivors choose to take it, that makes people forget the trauma they have experienced. A lot of people enfold so they can forget about the what they have done. (pg. 104 & 115)

7. Why don’t Singleton and Wendy take the pills Chaplain gave them?

7a. Because Singleton does not remember him and they are skeptical that the corps are watching. (pg. 131)

8. When Meg is dipped underwater, what happens?

8a. Someone speaks to her and many of her memories rush back to her. Rake takes a part in them. (pg. 154-169)

9. Why did the news break out about Kennedy?

9a. He was assassinated; someone shot him. (pg. 183)

10. Why doesn’t Wendy’s dad go with Wendy and Singleton?

10a. He no longer to wants to burden Wendy and he feels that he is old. (pg. 208)

lulling (pg. 116)

modality (pg. 141)

redacted (pg. 144)

brambly (pg. 179)

avuncular (pg. 207)

FINAL SECTION

11. Who do Singleton and Wendy go to find help for finding Rake?

11a. They go to Merle. Merle lives in the safe house (place of failed enfolds). (pg. 230)

12. Why can’t Wendy and Singleton be open about their feelings to each other?

12a. They must wait until the story is over and the report is done, because if they don’t wait, the corps can split them apart.

13. What does Hank ask when Wendy and Singleton arrive?

13a. Hank asks hem how he can trust him, because for all he knows, those two are not agents and they are not trying to save Rake and Meg.

14. What do Meg and Singleton do when hank and Wendy go down to the beach?

14a. They exchange memories, because they’re pasts are related. They’re both failed enfolds.

15. What do they do after finding Rake’s body?

15a. They reestablish the house and burn all of Rake’s things.

gimpy (pg. 228)

reconnaissance (pg. 237)

transcontinental (pg. 265)

hue (pg. 287)

snags (pg. 303)