Subnormal

Subnormal #1

by Stuart Kenyon, Vicky Kenyon (Editor)

Imagine a utopia where every person has a purpose and not a single life is wasted. Britain has become a hive-like world, with even the weakest and most vulnerable playing their part in the nation's transformation. Crime is low, employment high. But all is not quite as it seems. Though the revolution was quiet and bloodless, countless lives have been torn apart before our very eyes. Whilst the silent majority are mysteriously duped into collaboration, dissenters are ignored or punished. Democracy, civil liberties and equality are replaced by corruption, discrimination and segregation.  Paul, who has Asperger's Syndrome, knows slavery in the Zone is intrinsically unnatural. His first personal rebellion at Industrial Zone Four is crushed and he is forced to suffer alone for years in silence. Until his younger brother, Tommy, is also declared "subnormal" and sent to the Zone following an accident.  Allied with a handful of fellow Zoners and free-thinkers from the outside world, the brothers defy the powers-that-be. Can they beat the odds and restore to the British people a freedom few can remember? "The novel is well written, the characters are believable, and I liked how the author managed to really get across the evilness of one character in particular. I would recommend this book to everyone who enjoys good writing, and who is interested in realistic dystopian ideas." Reviewed by Kim Anisi for 'Readers’ Favorite' - 5 stars

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2014

About the author

His family, friends and readers aside, Stuart isn't a big fan of people, and he's constantly imagining scenarios involving the end of the world as we know it. Of course, he's not a psychopathic mass murderer, so he settles for annihilating the human race with his twisted imagination and word processor instead.

Since surviving the various zombie apocalypses depicted in late '90s video game franchises, he's fantasised about the rise of the undead. Two decades later, it seems that the dead are destined to stay buried. Mankind will no doubt destroy itself in more mundane ways, but in the meantime, Stuart occupies himself by tormenting his fictional characters with hordes of bloodthirsty monsters. Find out how in the AUGMENTED series, published summer 2019.


Praise for the author's critically-acclaimed dystopian series, SUBNORMAL:

“I would recommend this book this book to everyone who enjoys good writing, and who is interested in realistic dystopian ideas" – BOOK 1 reviewed by Kim Anisi for 'Readers Favorite' – 5 stars
“The writing is excellent, and you can’t stop yourself from reading one page after the other... You will be entertained right to the end, and then you’ll want to know even more" – BOOK 2 reviewed by Kim Anisi for 'Readers Favorite' – 5 stars
“The plot builds expertly, the characters provoke sympathy and contempt in equal measure. I found it hard to put the book down ” – Amazon review
"I simply must repeat, this book should be made into a movie" – Amazon review
“The author has a true gift for story telling and a Kafkaesque gift for plunging the reader into a world of nightmare” – Amazon review

Praise for the author's bestselling dystopian novel, SWIFTLY SHARPENS THE FANG:

“This was one of the most intense books I have read in some time” – Amazon review
“Narrative is raw, disturbing and pulls no punches” – Amazon review
“Excellent writing, this is a gripping story” – Amazon review
“Kenyon’s writing style is excellent, the pace a fast pitched race” – Amazon review

Reviews

[Bill Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is both an enjoyable book to read and a disturbing alternative view of life in Britain in the not too distant future. The book is topical given we are living in difficult times and the author cleverly makes us think about where today's decisions might lead. However, the author doesn't preach and the book is a page turning adventure. At the heart of the story, we have an unusual collection of characters trying to save the country. These are classified by the State as subnormal and it was interesting to have heroes for a change who were everyday people not glamorous James Bond types! The ending was shocking and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Ken Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Mr.Kenyon's other book Swiftly Sharpens the Fang, which was an excellent read I was tempted to look at this. SUBNORMAL is again a read with unique and sharp British flavour to it.

At first, I had difficulty in comprehending what was happening, whether it was real or just some sort of paintball war game. It was not!.
What Mr.Kenyon unfolded was a disturbing vision of what can only be described as an Orwellian perspective.
The narrative is densely penned and takes the reader into an extreme and nightmarishly logical Post Thatcherian Britain that has headed full steam ahead into a dictatorial and dystopian socio-politico society....Like his other book, it worried me as being a crystal ball reading of what might be. However I had to read it and I hope you get as hooked as I did.
The writing style is efficient, literate and i spotted no formatting or grammatical errors...Mr. Kenyon deserves an applause for his disturbing visions.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this devilishly clever story of a dystopian Britain run by a meglomaniac woman Prime Minister who sees herself as the queen bee at the centre of a hive of docile subjects. Outwardly, Britain appears to be a secluded, model democracy, but something isn't right...

Stuart Kenyon writes with confidence and poise, taking the reader by the hand and guiding them through a nightmare landscape, where those classified as 'subnormal' end up locked away, working in dingy factories. Eventually, someone tumbles what's gone on and a resistance group is formed of escaped factory workers who manage to enlist the aid of a scientist and disillusioned politician to take on the evil regime. It's a great read, and all the more plausible following Brexit and Britain's insane pull to the right...

[Mistral Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a world where no one questions authority and everyone complies with even the most egregious violations of basic human rights. The government has absolute control over the people, and even questioning why things are the way they are is enough to make someone "disappear." Scary, right? And yet...not so far-fetched, is it? Looking around the world today, it's not difficult to see how close we are to such a world. And that's the point.

Paul is a young man living in England who has Asperger's syndrome. He's incredibly intelligent and has a prodigious memory, but he doesn't quite fit in with the rest of society. Even so, with just a little support he's able to function in the world, and is even pursuing higher education. Then, when a devastating loss leads to a relatively minor incident, Paul is ripped away from his life, given a classification of "subnormal," and locked away with other people who didn't fit into the government's vision of a utopian society for one reason or another.

What's worse, not all of those people even realize how badly they've been treated. But when people start to wake up, Paul and his friends are ready to lead an uprising. Unfortunately, the entire government is against them and it's hard to fight when even talking about resistance is a crime. It's up to Paul and a handful of other "subnormals" to find a way to push back the tide of authoritarianism and save their country.

I loved this book for a number of reasons. First, I think the author did an outstanding job of developing the characters into individual people who I felt like I really got to know and like or dislike. I also think Mr. Kenyon did a good job of presenting Asperger's syndrome and autism as complex conditions that are unique in every individual case.

But, also, I think the topic that Subnormal tackles is both timely and important. The book is set in England, but as an American I see many of the same things that Mr. Kenyon covered in his story. Of course, there was the infamous "Brexit" vote that made world headlines and is just one example of a growing isolationist tendency among authoritarian leaders. But the same thing can be observed in American politics too. Mr. Trump and his demand for "a wall" and the amount of support that the idea of banning Muslims from entering the US seems to have. In a country that was founded by people fleeing religious persecution and which canonized the principle of religious freedom in its Constitution! It seems utterly surreal, and yet it's all over the news.

Then there was the obvious sense of entitlement felt by the politicians. They seemed to believe that they deserved power and obedience, and anyone who didn't give it to them was not only wrong, they were a traitor. It was reminiscent of the connotations that the word "heretic" carried when the Catholic church still burned people for the offense. But I see some of the same attitudes in today's politicians.

Ms. Clinton's assertion that anyone who voted for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary would have to automatically vote for her, and so she had no need to court their votes by representing their interests. And the collusion of mainstream media by the slanting of facts to bolster Ms. Clinton's campaign and refusing to cover things that might be damaging to her. The shaming that many of her supporters try to do against those who say they would prefer to vote for a third-party candidate instead of Ms. Clinton. Implying that those third-party voters somehow owe their votes to Ms. Clinton even if the voters feel she has failed to earn them. This is all just a lesser degree of the same problem.

Subnormal is a dystopian version of the logical conclusion of the direction politics seems to be heading today. It provides a vivid description of just how an authoritarian government could seize control of a populace and force conformity and obedience by suppressing dissent, controlling information through control of the media, and eliminating anyone who doesn't submit. It's a warning, on par with George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's A Brave New World, and I hope very much that people will both read it and heed it. Five stars and I'd give it six if I could. Well done, Mr. Kenyon, and I look forward to reading the rest of your series.

[Larry Landgraf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not certain at first how “subnormal” fit into this story, but it became quite apparent in Chapter 3. The characters were well-developed and their paths began to converge in a realistic plot. The story is quite thought provoking and could be happening in our current world. Maybe not exactly as depicted in the story, but the end result is the same.

Are we being controlled by our government? Of course we are, but maybe a bit differently from what Stuart Kenyon depicted, and then again, maybe not. Do you trust your government totally? I don’t. I doubt anyone does, which makes this story so impactful. There were a couple places where I lost the story a bit, but it grabbed hold of me quickly and sucked me back in.

As I read the story, I wasn't certain as to whether or not this story was a real historical event. It read like it was. That's what made the story so strong. Even if it is pure fantasy, it was believable and maybe something which could very well happen at some point in our future. Job well done, Stuart. I recommend this book!

[Rebecca Gransden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a dystopian Britain of the near future or alternative present, the novel concentrates on brothers Tommy and Paul, although much time is given over to the surrounding characters also. Their thread is the central focus and the one that holds the narrative together. Britain has been inching by stealth towards a totalitarian state, where those citizens branded “subnormal” - including: the infirm, those with certain conditions, individuals labelled as troublemakers, petty criminals, and all those who are considered as not contributing to society at a level they should - face being sent to specialised zones where a regimented routine is implemented. Those who continue to question their place or the fairness of the system, or are perceived to be doing so, are transported to a more remote facility, designed to dispense harsher treatment, with the aim of shocking those taken there into compliance. Meanwhile, the prime minister (a thoroughly nasty and larger than life villain, drawn with great enthusiasm by the author) rules by intimidation, increasingly displaying the hallmarks of the demagogue, leading to equal displays of loyalty and concern within her own party. As events move towards a darker path, a politician must make a choice - whether to stick his neck out, and risk having it slashed; or betray his country in exchange for assurance of his personal comfort.

A bleak picture of when power is consolidated to excess, the novel presents an unsettling vision of a Britain in the grip of a would-be autocrat, and demonstrates very effectively how small concessions by the civilian population when it comes to basic freedoms, rights and responsibilities can very quickly be used as a launching pad for sinister vested interests. The book reads as a solid thriller, switching vantage points at all the right moments, keeping the tangled web of the narrative easy to follow and be gripped by. Another aspect that marks this out is the representation of Asperger’s Syndrome with regard to the character of Paul. Throughout I felt it a layered and nuanced take. For something with the potential for misunderstanding, the insights into how this particular character deals with Asperger’s Syndrome, and also how certain facets of it are advantageous in certain situations, underlines how vast the variations in how it manifests can be.

A smart and tense genre novel, with an unusual premise and execution. Great balance of more conventional structuring with themes less common for a book of this type. Enjoyed.

[Ian Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest ... I was dubious about this book through the prologue and first chapter. They felt hyperbolic to me, as though trying a little too hard for intensity and not quite hitting the mark.

Luckily, I was reading the book on an airplane, and I forged ahead into chapter two without pause.

There, as the book took a turn from seemingly dramatic events to seemingly mundane ones, my interest went into high gear. Good dystopian fiction often hinges on its author's ability to portray for the reader a new normal -- an environment where the ordinary has been shifted from what we find familiar, but without the occupants of the world appearing to notice. Events that readers find ill-omened or foreboding fail to register on the characters, because they live in a universe that is disquieting to us but pedestrian to them. It's here that author Stuart Kenyon hits his stride, drawing us into the life of factory-worker Thomas Kelly on a fateful day that begins like any other ... or at least, like any other for Thomas Kelly. Woven into Kelly's routine are the hints and intimations that something is wrong here -- off-kilter, troubling. I found myself freshy intrigued, sitting a little straighter in my airliner chair.

And a short while later, to my even greater surprise, Kenyon struck gold with a viewpoint character whose version of "ordinary" took me from intrigued to spellbound. I don't want to describe how or why, but Thomas Kelly's brother Paul instantly became one of the most fascinating perspective characters I've come across in years.

With each successive chapter, Kenyon showed me his subnormal world from a new and captivating angle, slowly building a sizable cast and a compelling plot that hit home with the 1984 fan in me.

Despite those uneven spots at the beginning and a couple of others later on, Subnormal earns its Orwellian stripes and owns them with pride. The character of Paul Kelly alone would make the book well worth reading, but there's a great deal more to be appreciated here ... especially considering the times in which we find ourselves living.

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Britain was in trouble. Austerity became the way of life, global recession hit everyone, with the election drawing near everyone wanted to win support, but a new group, Unity, made promises which seemed too good to be true. A self-sustaining, profiting Britain on the rise to the glory it knew in the less than distant past. They planned to stop foreign aid and get their own house in order. They won, but people had no idea what voting them into power would reap. They would keep their promises, but Britain would not be recognisable. Its populace had purpose, crime rates are low, unemployment almost a thing of the past. Everyone has a place where their skills were utilised. At least to those looking in, but the truth of Britain's transformation is darker and more horrific than anyone would realise, and only scarce few evaded the control of this new rule. But they are a minority, subnormal, what could such a selection hope to achieve? Perhaps more than you think, especially when they realise how this drastic and easily-accepted change came about. People thought the government knew what they were doing, but they were wrong. Unity's queen bee was in charge now, and everyone thought exactly how she wanted them to... Well almost everyone.

I'll say one thing for Stuart Kenyon , he likes to write the gritty and unpleasant, pulling the reader far from their comfort zones in an unbuffered, non-diluted way. So much of what he writes could easily come to pass, attitudes for such things are already blooming across the world. He simply takes it that little bit further, and some of what he writes will invoke and stimulate an array of emotions within the reader. In Subnormal he designs a vast and complex cast of characters, all cogs within his tale which beautifully mesh and interlink with each other to craft his vivid and well-connected plot. Everything you read eventually becomes part of the bigger picture, and what a terrible one it is.

[Pamela Canepa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being taken away from your family and sent to a work camp because there is something different about you. Imagine a facist government that does this in the belief it is better for all; everyone is a worker bee with a purpost. No one is allowed to complain or they will face dire consequences. Such is the dystopia Stuart Kenyon has imagined. In this society, those with mental or psychiatric "differences" are the only ones immune to this government's brainwashing technique. This story is riveting from start to finish. It is written in third person point of view but switches focus between a few main characters so that we can see their inner thoughts, even those of the psychopathic government henchman. I found this quite engaging, especially becasue I loved being in the minds of Karl and Paul, two of the stories main protagonists. Stuart's Kenyon's characters are refreshing, and his story is addicting. I could not put it down. Brilliantly done!

[Karl Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the message behind this book, and the ending was shocking and a but unexpected. I did get bogged down in the middle as the author goes to lengths to explain what each character is thinking and feeling. Plus, there seemed to be a lot of characters. Personally, I prefer more action and less introspection, but that's just me. The author is English, and insights into the cultural differences between the US and UK were intriguing as well. I am familiar with the language and grammatical differences, so that did not bother me. The author's work is well edited and I did not find any meaningful errors.

[Gus · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW what a read. Had to binge read this, couldn't put it down. Powerful and emotional. Loved the characters and story line. This book gets full 5* Review from me. Just a warning however ! If you are claustrophobic, I'd skip the prologue, or read it with one eye closed. Scary as. Look forward to reading book two in series.

[Nick Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and disturbing vision of a world not so far removed from our own. Well written and emotionally engaging, Subnormal does what every novel should aspire to do - think. A great introduction to what promises to be a fine series.

[Karen Ingalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating story about how the British government has gained power over its people by infiltrating the water system with a mind controlling substance. The three main characters find themselves in a "prison" where they also are given the same water keeping them lethargic and controlled to do menial work. One character is forced to kill innocent people. So how does such a system come to be and how can it overthrown? Or can it?
A well written book and a page turner. Looking forward to reading more of Mr. Kenyon's works.

[Shaheen Darr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Private Karl Stevenson has been handed an “investigation of conduct” letter. He is accused of not following orders. Thomas Kelly has been termed “subnormal” and not fit to work after an accident and then there are others like them, either vulnerable or daring to question authority. Subnormal is a superb but chilling account of a totalitarian British society that deals with so called “subversive” elements with its own brand of justice. Sometimes it takes a revolution before the voices of the public are heard. Read more to find out in this fast-moving story that grips you right from the start. There are scenes of violence which some might find distasteful but after all they are all elements of a dystopian society. The characters are well developed and although fictional, many elements in the book ring true of modern day dictatorial regimes where democracy continues to remain a distant dream. The ending leaves you hanging on the edge, you want to know what happens next! Do read this book, you will not be disappointed!

[Juliet Waldron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a craftily written dystopian near future story, with many heart-rending scenes of human inhumanity (!). For that reason, it's sometimes a uncomfortable read--especially if you are already in a state of anxiety and this is why 4 stars. I don't want to cast any doubt upon the writer's skill, though. Subnormal is one of those hair-raising bits of s/f that already rings true in stealth ways, in the style of PKD.

[Harmony Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dystopian novel with a difference where the mentally ill and those with Aspergers have the advantage. It has an interesting plot and gets told from many different character points of view. Britain's benefits culture has become a thing of the past. Dynamic Prime Minister Alison Latham has created a hive-like world where every person has a purpose. And if you don't fit in or make the quota, you get sent to the zone. And woe betide anyone who tries to resist. As well as the despotic PM, you have a compliance drug (Servol) that helps keep the populace in line, all except the mentally ill or those on the autistic spectrum: those folks seem to have an immunity. And that's when things get more interesting.
Unfortunately, numerous mistakes let down the narrative, which proves littered with passive writing, spelling errors, punctuation errors, and generally unpolished writing. However, if you can ignore those, the book offers an entertaining read. It's clear that the author knows Aspergers well, and he gives a good account of it here from Paul's perspective, which I liked immensely. The ending also proved interesting and deviated from what you'd expect.

[Grant Leishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subnormal by Stuart Kenyon is absolutely my type of book. I'm not a conspiracy theory nut, by any means, but I love the idea of a supposedly "democratic" government going totally haywire and attempting some sort of mind-control over its populace, for "the greater good".
In Subnormal, the first of a three-part series on this topic, Kenyon introduces us to a strange group of characters, who for various reasons have been declared "subnormal" by the state. These characters will play an unlikely part in defeating a rampant, out-of-control Government, that has imposed its will on the people, not by force of argument, but by more devious means - all for the "greater good" of Great Britain, determined to put the Great back into Great Britain (now where have we heard that before?)
The characters, who have been declared subnormal and are shipped off to what is essentially a forced labour prison, to make a contribution to the British society, slowly become aware of what is being done, not only to them but to the rest of Britain as well. The "subnormals" decide it is up to them to fight back and expose the Government for the lying, cheating, bastards they really are.
I loved all of the characters in Subnormal, but most especially I had a soft spot for Paul, the young man with Asperger's syndrome, but also the uncanny ability to solve problems with logic and common sense. Having worked alongside someone (also named Paul) with this syndrome, I could fully identify with the character traits and little peculiarities that Kenyon pulled out of his character. He clearly has a first-hand understanding of the character. What I found particularly insightful, especially for readers who have never encountered Asperger's before was Kenyon allowing us inside Paul's mind and showing us his thought processes, so totally different from our own, yet so illuminating.
I don't want to go overboard on this aspect, as it is only a small part of the overall story, but it helps me to illustrate just what an excellent job Kenyon has done in this book.
This is a great thriller and I found it riveting (unable to stop reading, even when I knew I should). I highly recommend this, if you like thrillers, with real applicability to the current environment we citizens of the world find ourselves in today.
This book is worth every one of the five stars I've given it.

[William Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subnormal by Stuart Kenyon showed up in my Amazon recommendations. I thought the blurb was interesting and picked it up. Read on for my review!

Synopsis (from the author): Imagine a utopia where every person has a purpose and not a single life is wasted.

Britain has become a hive-like world, with even the weakest and most vulnerable playing their part in the nation's transformation. Crime is low, employment high.

But all is not quite as it seems. Though the revolution was quiet and bloodless, countless lives have been torn apart before our very eyes. Whilst the silent majority are mysteriously duped into collaboration, dissenters are ignored or punished. Democracy, civil liberties and equality are replaced by corruption, discrimination and segregation.

Paul, who has Asperger's Syndrome, knows slavery in the Zone is intrinsically unnatural. His first personal rebellion at Industrial Zone Four is crushed and he is forced to suffer alone for years in silence. Until his younger brother, Tommy, is also declared "subnormal" and sent to the Zone following an accident.

Allied with a handful of fellow Zoners and free-thinkers from the outside world, the brothers defy the powers-that-be. Can they beat the odds and restore to the British people a freedom few can remember?

What I liked: Subnormal presented a dystopian UK, where the government systematically and silently subjugates the populace. Those whom they can’t control or who have issues (as defined by the government) are placed in work zones. The Zoners face horrible treatment, and brutal control. Against all that, our heroes, all of whom are considered subnormal, band together and strike out against the oppression. Will they succeed? No spoilers from me! Paul and his brother are great characters, and Paul’s Asperger’s is key to the story. The other characters, including a former soldier, a scientist, and a single mom trying to regain her son, are well-developed, and each has an important role in the story. All told, a scary but entertaining read.

What I didn’t like: The ease with which the government subjugated the entire populace was difficult for me to accept. In addition, the evil government was too stereotypical, and the actions taken by the Zoners were too easy in a police state.

Overall impression: Subnormal by Stuart Kenyon was a gritty, disturbing look at a dystopian UK. Filled with both good and evil, the story moves quickly. For those who enjoy dystopia, give this one a read!

My rating: 4 Stars

[Nanette M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subnormal is a dystopian novel set in a context eerily similar to today’s environment (with a few twists and nudges in the fabric of reality). The main plot follows an unlikely but realistic hero resisting the powers that have come to be in this alternate reality. Mr. Kenyon effectively weaves multiple plot lines together, and the storytelling is engaging. A thriller to its core, Subnormal is disturbing, chilling, and thoroughly enjoyable.

[Carly Compass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subnormal by Stuart Kenyon, like an onion, has many layers. First is the gripping tale of a young man with Asperger’s Syndrome, the protagonist, who is marginalized by a self-righteous female megalomaniac, the antagonist. Next is, a Sci-fi adventure with a stark commentary on today's society that heralds the all-star athlete and the glamour queen as the hero's of today's shallow society. Still Kenyon goes deeper into myriad of new diagnosis’s being developed everyday, but he doesn't stop at the psychological problems that people have, he also delves into the physical dysfunctions too, raising the question who is to determine a person's worth.

I once read that the Native American tribes of North America were all inclusive and those that were considered different in the tribe were thought to be divine and given leniency to wholly be themselves, completely. I always thought that this was a beautiful and necessary component to any society. Every person has a purpose and a place. Every person is treated with respect and accepted.

Sadly, this is not the case in this Sci-fi adventure! Kenyon is saying that no one can possibly know anyone's full potential and those that are marginalized can quite pleasantly surprise those of us who aren't marginalized.

There is so much more that this thought provoking thesis has brought out, but I fear creating spoiler alerts! I want you to read the book and enjoy making your own discoveries.

I had a rough start to the book finding the text awkward at times. This might be an American versus British English colloquialisms challenge; some chapters were a bit choppy, while other chapters were simply brilliant and text flowed freely!

The story line is original, the character development complete, the action driven plot interesting and the conclusion fulfilling, but there is a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

[James Bizzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the beginning of this book. It slipped between new characters and back and forth in time, so it created a great sense of mystery. I knew the story was going to be about a Dystopia, but the novel did a great job of revealing how that Dystopia came about. There were several points where I was thinking, What's going on here? But always in a suspenseful way. From an imprisoned boy to a brutally one-sided firefight, to scientists caught up in deadly intrigue, the story definitely pulled me along from chapter to chapter, clamoring to know what would happen next.

In the second part of the book, the Dystopian setting has been firmly established. In a very insidious way, Modern-day Great Britain has been turned into a totalitarian state. The story switches from mystery to action/suspense as the main characters fight for freedom.
The characters are diverse and well written. My favorite was Paul Kelly, who's a genius with Aspergers Syndrome. I've never read a book with such a character in such a prominent role--or when that character is not treated as a Rain Man clone. Paul is very well written, especially in the scenes where we go inside his meticulous and mercurial mind.

Since the novel is Book 1 of a series, I was happy to see that it had a very satisfying ending. A nail biter! But also, the ending had a very unique twist that nicely sets up Book 2. I can't wait to find out what happens next. Highly recommended!

[Charles Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subnormal is a Political Thriller, or is it Science Fiction? Either way, it's about the Unity Party in the UK making strides to ensure everyone does their part for the country. However, their methods don't work on everyone, and they are sent to Work Zones, along with others who aren't deemed as desirable for one reason or the other; injury that is taking too long to heal, emotionally unstable, etc.. The best part, though, in this utopian society, crime rates are at an all time low. The problem, the reason things are perfect in the UK, and that is Servol (an interesting name just because of what it does, but I will not divulge that, you'll need to read Subnormal for all the dirt on that). Paul, an autistic man, his younger brother, and a few others in the Work Zones unite to shut down the corrupt government, of course, to keep from being a spoiler I will not go into any detail of their troubles.
While Subnormal is not something I would normally read, I had a hard time putting it down, wanting to know what happens next. Each character is someone I could easily understand, and get to know. The scenes are well crafted and quite intense at times, keeping me intrigued and engaged. Like any good book in a series, this one opens the door nicely to the next, which is Supernormal, followed by Postnormal (these books are now on my "To Read List" as well). Thank you Stuart for the suburb writing.

[Christine Vann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subnormal is a very compelling read, painting a vivid dsytopian world filled with believeable, relatable characters. The hero, a young male with Aspergers, is written with valuable and touching insight. The sensitivity here is key. Unlike the Rosie Project's Don Tillman, the hero here has an in-depth, believeable charactisation.

The plot is gripping, full of action and with a grim reality that isn't that hard to imagine.

Yet what is the most beautiful about this book is that everyone here is unique, and a society that forgets to acknowledge that is one that is hugely damaging. Neurodiversity is an issue very close to my heart and I'm very keen to see the sequel!

[Jo Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! Loved every it of it from the expert way it was written to the original storyline. Following the fortunes of a group of unlikely friends who have all been branded subnormal by a society that only prizes the fully functional. This will allow anyone who has had to leave work or college for not bring as good as the establishment wants to feel better about themselves. You will feel the triumphs and disappointments with all the heroes as they embark on their mission to save the country which is in the grips of perfection. Outstanding read! Can't wait for the sequel.

[Suzie Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a terrible memory like mine, this book might not be for you. There are multiple characters, and the story travels back and forth to different eras. However, if you can persevere, it becomes easier to follow as you get further in. The characters establish a connection in your mind, and the story starts to unfold. It is beautifully written and a classic underdog tale. This is the second book I've read by this author, and it will not be the last. He has opened my eyes to an entirely new genre.

[Stewart Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subnormal is oddly topical (Brexit, Trump, nationalistic sentiment) and is filled with well written characters. Part 1’s opening set of vignettes needed some patience, but when author, Stuart Kenyon, assembles the pieces, the payoff is great. Subnormal sets up an engaging dystopian scenario where the mentally ill get to be heroes.

[Julian Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teenager, I lapped up stories about Britain becoming a totalitarian state but they seemed to fall from favour as Europe’s political situation stabilised. I was therefore delighted to have this book recommended and it did not disappoint.
Subnormal has a strong 21st century perspective on this sub-genre as it follows four people categorised by the state as sub-normal. One of the strongest facets of the book is the way the author uses familiar features of modern British life, and with just a slight adjustment, gives a them a sinister perspective that could all too easily become reality. This gave the book a very compelling edge.
Stuart Kenyon has produced a well written and well-crafted plot that slips from page to page and chapter to chapter and is a delight to read.
Do I have any gripes? There were no characters that stood out for me, however the plot was strong enough for this not to detract from my enjoyment.
Finally, the ending was brilliant and I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Cheers.