Mark Reece's Blog - Posts Tagged "dysopia"

Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Make Room! Make Room! is set in a version of 1999 New York where the population has expanded beyond the city's ability to comfortably feed and home the populace. As such, most people live in degrading squalor. Although the perspective switches between a number of different characters, the main protagonist is Andrew Rusch, a detective in an extremely overworked police force, where the majority of crimes are barely investigated. Other significant characters include Billy, a Chinese boy looking for new ways to survive, and Shirl, a woman Rusch starts a relationship with after they meet during one of his cases.

The main strength of the book is the description of the created world. The surroundings are suitably grey and despoiled. Despite being poor himself, Rusch uncritically accepts the world around him, and is harshly critical of those trying to change it, in a way that feels very realistic. The book also feels well paced; it is the type of novel that can be read quickly.

There are flaws, however, that make both the plot and setup feel not fully realized. Firstly, the novel has only a single idea, which is harped on about repeatedly, that over-population is the source of all problems, and would be solved by birth control. There is no discussion of the inequality of power within the society, or why people need to have lots of children. It is also strange that no effort seems to have been made in this world to find alternative energy sources, or, in fact, to do anything to solve any of the problems. The world doesn't quite make sense; perhaps it would have benefited from a character who was in a more powerful social position, and so would be able to provide context for what had occurred.

Next, the characterization, and hence the plot, are ultimately unsatisfying. The central conflict of the story is between Rusch and Billy, but the significance of that conflict simply disappears part way through the book, meaning that its resolution is very low key. Also, the motivation of many of the secondary characters is unrealized. Shirl's bodyguard is very loyal for some reason; Shirl attaches herself to powerful men to survive, then doesn't, then does. These factors combine to make the book feel ultimately lightweight.

Make Room! Make Room! is an enjoyable, although ultimately shallow read; one feels that the main theme could have been tackled with more energy and sophistication.



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