Cull by Tanvir Bush

Dec 15, 2018 Bandit rated it it was amazing

This is why I read indie books. Because every so often there’s a treasure like that just waiting to be found. Cull is actually a perfectly timed read with Britain being on the news so much lately, but this isn’t a Brexit themed story. It deals with another ugly side of British social politics (no, not that one either, the story takes place after the rise of nationalism and passing of strict immigration laws), now with not enough foreigners left to hate, the citizens turn their attention onto the This is why I read indie books. Because every so often there’s a treasure like that just waiting to be found. Cull is actually a perfectly timed read with Britain being on the news so much lately, but this isn’t a Brexit themed story. It deals with another ugly side of British social politics (no, not that one either, the story takes place after the rise of nationalism and passing of strict immigration laws), now with not enough foreigners left to hate, the citizens turn their attention onto their fellow Brits, albeit less able. Crips, as they are now known, are the new danger, mooching off the working class, sponging off the dole and so on. And that can cover just about any disability, this is an all inclusive animosity. Severe austerity measures have been passed to ensure that no one gets something for nothing, leaving so many underprivileged and disabled in dire circumstances. And if that wasn’t enough, the next step seems to be eliminating them all together with Nazi esque efficiency behind the Nazi esque mentality. Such measures must be protested and there is a mysterious group Boudicca that may do just that. And one reporter, Alex, and her furry four legged best friend/guide, Chris, get caught up in the middle of it. So anyway, this is meant to be a satire, but it’s such a close shave to reality that it actually makes for a terrifying read. It’s just too alarmingly plausible and Britain has in fact passed some similar laws recently. Obviously, this is exaggerated in the book for dramatic effect, but if you read the news on the regular basis, it isn’t even that far fetched. It has always been easier to hate that to care and there nothing fuels the fire like a government encouragement. Or even government’s silence on that matter. Just look at the rise of racism and white supremacism in the US in the last couple of years. Throw some slogans around, give the sheeple a cause to line up against, redirect their attention from real crises to something a low corn fed (or whatever is the British equivalent) IQ can process and voila…violence. So it’s an eerie read, it’s meant to discomfort the readers and make them think, it’s very good at that. The ongoing brutal psychological and physical abuse of the disabled throughout the book is devastating and the ending is all too realistic, tragically so. There is some lightness in here thrown in for balance and Chris is as lovable of a character (bipedal or quadrupedal) as they come and absolutely steals the show. And the book is well written and smart…it’s just all too scary to consider it prophetic as it may be. This hypothetical version of Britain trying to become great again (and where would they have gotten that idea) is meant to caution, to remind an increasingly callous world about compassion, kindness, all the values that are, in fact, great. But alas, they never seem to compete with stupidity, ignorance and greed. A country, a government, a nation must be judged by how they treat their most vulnerable. Not by its arsenal or bank account. Much like one hopes you would judge a person. This book is very much worth a read if only to ponder those things, but it’s also very enjoyable as a work of fiction. Great read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley. ...more

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Jan 18, 2019 Rachel Bridgeman rated it it was amazing

Shelves: january-2019

‘Cull’ is so close to what most of us know as reality ,that you find yourself following a laugh with a wince. It is not too far fetched to imagine a government (particularly the one in power) creating a Protect and Care Act which hands down powers to divide and conquer society.
From the posters offering rewards for ‘shopping a scrounger,’ and ‘documentaries’ marginalising the poor,to government workers getting bonuses for incomprehensible forms that guarantee 70% of benefit applicants will fail, ‘Cull’ is so close to what most of us know as reality ,that you find yourself following a laugh with a wince. It is not too far fetched to imagine a government (particularly the one in power) creating a Protect and Care Act which hands down powers to divide and conquer society.
From the posters offering rewards for ‘shopping a scrounger,’ and ‘documentaries’ marginalising the poor,to government workers getting bonuses for incomprehensible forms that guarantee 70% of benefit applicants will fail, it is very easy to visualise a resulting care home such as Grassybanks opening to ‘relieve the burden’ on carers. The premise is simple-if the disabled and infirm elderly are stopping people from working, remove them from the equation and there will be no more carer’s allowance as well as a freed up workforce.
Protagonist Alex has a degenerative visual condition that requires a guide dog, despite the fact that she ‘does not look disabled’ -a constant theme of the novel is how normal she looks and the abuse she gets as though she must be pretending.She is desperate for a paying job that will reflect her education and skill set. At present she has an apprenticeship at a newspaper, but it’s not paying and if she pushes the Job Centres too much for one, they will come down with such
heavy sanctions that she is at real risk of homelessness.
The disappearance of a fellow guide dog owner and homeless man Phil, leads to Alex investigating other disappearances into the government sanctioned ‘rehab treatment’ programme, ‘Homeless Action!’. An awful lot of them are dying, but no one seems to care.
‘Homeless Action !’ head honcho ‘Dr Barnabus Binding, also happens to be the father of Stella Binding MP, as well as being heavily involved with the mysterious Ward C extension of Grassybanks. But who is going to listen to a blind woman?
Alex is a wonderful character, she is fearless, totally three dimensional and leaves a huge impression on the reader. Despite being given every reason to give up on life she refuses. She has some truly awful experiences across the course of ‘Cull’, some of which made me cry they were brutal. She, along with a bunch of disabled women whom society has deemed useless, are the only ones who can rise up and make a difference and the very opportunity they need is just around the corner at the Grassybanks grand opening…
This is a novel with enormous heart and bravery that addresses the discrimination that disabled people face daily in an unflinching manner. I hugely adored Chris, Alex’ guide dog and found myself incredibly moved by how easy it would be for those in power to turn those without against each other, and then stand back to watch the ensuing fight. In destroying ourselves there will be no one left to fight the corrupt and unfair system that penalises those who are disabled or vulnerable for mental, or physical, health reasons. ...more

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Apr 09, 2019 Cheryl M-M rated it really liked it

It's supposed to be satire, but sadly a lot of this is already a reality in the UK, after the privatisation of certain systems in charge of the care and assessment of the more vulnerable in our society. Bush takes it one step further into a nightmare of organised disposal of the weaker individuals or those who need support.

One of the more amusing elements of the story is the character of Chris, who in his own way is quite opinionated and contributes to the story in a way Alex is unable to. He is It's supposed to be satire, but sadly a lot of this is already a reality in the UK, after the privatisation of certain systems in charge of the care and assessment of the more vulnerable in our society. Bush takes it one step further into a nightmare of organised disposal of the weaker individuals or those who need support.

One of the more amusing elements of the story is the character of Chris, who in his own way is quite opinionated and contributes to the story in a way Alex is unable to. He is there to support her as she is tested emotionally and physically, as she becomes increasingly frustrated and suspicious of the system.

The book 1984 described the Big Brother construct our society would eventually evolve into, Cull accurately depicts the threat of privatisation to the most vulnerable in today's society.This dystopian satire takes the disposable attitude of the Nazi regime for instance, the disposal of the vulnerable, least productive, physically and mentally impaired, and the undesirables, and combines this ideology with a futuristic setting. In fact some of the implemented laws are very similar to certain aspects of government driven health and social care 'solutions' which are already in place. In which case it is less futuristic and it's more of a 'as it is taking place as we read this' scenario.

Unfortunately this is only one of the negatives of privatisation, and indeed this dangerously reckless and opportunistic profit-mongering of our health and social care systems has been found to be grossly negligent towards its clients - those who are in greatest need of support. The UN have iterated their 2016 report citing systematic violations of the rights of disabled people in the UK. The system is set-up to make people fail and/or be sanctioned, which leaves them in a vulnerable position. Subsequent deaths, attempts at suicide and suicides of people, who have to endure the biased and unfair procedures and assessments by untrained individuals, have been linked to said systems.

It's a dystopian satire with futuristic ideas fixed in realism with both politically and socially relevant topics. Kudos to the author for shining a light on this particularly cruel injustice by wrapping it up in a clever little plot.
*I received a courtesy copy* ...more

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Jul 21, 2020 Catherine Sell rated it really liked it

4.5 stars. This book was fantastic. There were parts when I was nervous to keep reading, and parts when I couldn’t stop reading. Parts when I laughed out loud and a part when I cried. A strong female protagonist with a dog?! Sold.
Bush has put this together brilliantly. Cull is a gripping read, confronting for all the right reasons. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.

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Mar 05, 2019 Alyssia Cooke rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, dystopian, disturbing, politics

This is a frightening book and yet its reliance on exaggeration and hyperbole make it difficult to relate to. There is a complete lack of subtlety or a multi dimensional story and that's a shame. In some sections, I could see the modern Britain and that is undeniably frightening. But in the next breath the depiction of a Nazi approach is brutally approached in a two dimensional fashion.

The really scary thing is that I can see our society hitting these lows. In detriment to the book though, this ...more

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Jan 07, 2019 Jypsy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

This was definitely an interesting concept, but it's not my type of material. I'm sure readers of this particular genre will enjoy it. ...more

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Jan 01, 2019 Sharon rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019, apocolyptic-dystopic, book-tours

3.5 rounded up....visually indelible satire about the intolerance and hatred towards the disabled with a ‘real’ disabled protagonist to believe in...review to come as part of the Random Things Tours blog tour - 23/01/19

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Jan 22, 2019 Book-Social rated it liked it

'A dystopian satire for our times about the dark deadly side of privatisation'

"In a near-future Britain, the furore over the welfare state has reached fever pitch. A combination of state propaganda and aggressive austerity has divided the nation along poisonous lines: on one side, so-called freeloaders, crips and fakes; on the other, The Hard Working British Taxpayer.

The government has introduced the Care and Protect Bill, ostensibly to to relieve the economic burden of the disabled, elderly and 'A dystopian satire for our times about the dark deadly side of privatisation'

"In a near-future Britain, the furore over the welfare state has reached fever pitch. A combination of state propaganda and aggressive austerity has divided the nation along poisonous lines: on one side, so-called freeloaders, crips and fakes; on the other, The Hard Working British Taxpayer.

The government has introduced the Care and Protect Bill, ostensibly to to relieve the economic burden of the disabled, elderly and vulnerable on society by opening residential care homes
where they will be looked after by medical professionals.

But Alex – visually impaired and categorised as one of the dole-scrounging underclass – has stumbled across a troubling link between the disappearance of several homeless people and the extension of Grassybanks, her local care home… Helped by her guide dog, Chris, this discovery sets her on a path that leads all the way to the corrupt heart of government."

Let me start by saying how disturbingly believable Cull was. I don't know want to give too much away (I certainly approached this not knowing much about the plot) but parts of it did make my blood run cold as Bush expertly depicted how horrifyingly close we are to methods rightly viewed by many as heinous. Believe in Better, the political party referred to in the book, is surely just round the corner with its anti foreigner, scrounger scum sentiment. Some would argue it's already in existence.

What I found most disturbing however were the short chapters to the end of the book (and again I won't say much as I don't want to spoil it) but you could just imagine this turn of events actually happening. Out comes the brush, sweeping many things under many carpets. What a depressing thought!

In amongst the hard hitting plot are moments of lightness, love and even humour. I mean a 'porn-audio-ography' studio owned by the Ladies Defective Agency? I loved Chris, yes my favourite character in the book was a dog! The relationship between Alex and Chris was beautifully written and I thought Chris' opening chapter was a brilliant move. There were proper villains, boy did I hate Andre and the Good Doctor Binding (totally loved how he was referred to by the way.) The plot was also cleverly structured so that the various characters all linked together in some way.

It's the first time I have read a book with a blind protagonist. I loved reading from Alex's point of view and seeing how people who had never met her before interacted with her a partially sighted woman (but you can see!) I also loved that, despite her problems she was not a victim, as her reporter past and survival instinct confirmed. Brilliant ninja moves!

Cull delivers punchy writing, excellent chapter titles and well defined characters seamlessly linked together. It's an eye opener (no pun intended) and I really enjoyed it. ...more

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Jan 24, 2019 Kristine rated it it was ok

Shelves: deliberately-unfinished, amazon-reviewed

Cull by Tanvir Bush is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in late December.

Loosely linked anglophile situational short stories that are way zanier and random than I initially expected - for that reason, I did not invest or get much into it at all.

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Jan 10, 2019 Katy Noyes rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley-reviewcopy

Satire that might not be... anger-inspiring, appalling 'benefit system' exposé.

I spent a good portion of my reading time incensed. At the benefit system portrayed, the citizens of this society that's ours but not-quite-ours-thank-goodness and their attitude towards disabled people, at the leaders and politicians pinching pennies and playing Social Darwin.

It's so hard to read a book where insulting terms are bandied around, used routinely and demeaningly. The choice of 'crip' is a powerful one, a ...more

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Jan 08, 2019 Sandra "Jeanz" rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019, netgalley, dystopian

The first thing that attracted my interest to the book was in fact the cover. I think the cover though quite simplistic is presents a powerful image. The way the C in the word Cull is used to represent a wheelchair leaves the prospective reader in no doubt about what is trying to be “culled” in the book. I then read the blurb and felt a strong urge to read the book. With having health issue’s myself as well as looking after both my parents who had multiple health issues and both of them are or h The first thing that attracted my interest to the book was in fact the cover. I think the cover though quite simplistic is presents a powerful image. The way the C in the word Cull is used to represent a wheelchair leaves the prospective reader in no doubt about what is trying to be “culled” in the book. I then read the blurb and felt a strong urge to read the book. With having health issue’s myself as well as looking after both my parents who had multiple health issues and both of them are or have been wheelchair uses too I could view the problems the characters have in this book from their point of view and the point of view as a carer too.

I have seen this book labelled as general fiction, sci-fi and dystopian. I would say that perhaps the sci-fi label could be a little off putting to some readers but I have to agree with the genres listed. The dystopian element is more of a futuristic slant of what could actually be happening in our present society. I suppose the Sci-Fi and Dystopian themes also refer to the “survival of the fittest” aspect of the book.

I really enjoyed reading this book from the point of view of Alex who is visually impaired and needs a guide dog. At first I thought I couldn’t like the sections done from the perspective of Chris, who is Alex’s guide dog but upon reading them I found some parts from Chris’ view point interesting too. I found the book thought provoking and I am sure some people will find the language used in it and some of the books perceptions to be controversial. This book takes place in a time that could well be coming to Britain soon. The government are making budget cuts to benefits and help they provide disabled people. Rather like we see, in our present day, people are dying and committing suicide rather than being made to feel a burden on society. There are also those elements of society who like to apportion blame for the “state of the country and its finances” on those less fortunate or with disabilities. In this book there are various incidents throughout where certain characters are verbally and physically abusive to the characters who have disabilities.

The government are putting money into extending a local facility called Grassybanks. The attitude of those in power is to find the cheapest way to take care of those that are costing them money. There is a group of Doctors and Professors that are running various schemes and building new hospital type equipment such as chiller beds and a machine called the resomator. In fact there is somewhat of a competition going on for who can "take care of the problem" the quickest.

The tables are turned at one point in the book where a movement calling themselves Boudicca try to show those in charge and working at Grassybanks what they are doing and how they would feel being treat the way they are doing with disabled people. I don't want to reveal much more as that would mean giving away spoilers.

I adored all the aspects of the character of the guide dog Chris. He is all serious when working, and in his harness and feels both responsible and protective of Alex. I thought the descriptions of the “off harness” times when Chris is obsessed about chasing a ball just like any other dog. There’s also the inevitable part when Chris is being cared for by a friend of Alex who has a baby. The baby is being fed and dropping food on the floor and though Chris knows he shouldn’t, he can’t seem to help himself from licking up the food.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this book were that I found it interesting, thought provoking, as well as totally believable. Today's society isn't that far away from having chilling beds and resomator......who knows they may already exist somewhere.

I could seriously identify both with being a carer and also with having disabilities. The fight to be heard, get the diagnosis and the end up begging for help that is supposed to be readily available but you cannot seem to get access too no matter how much you beg, plead, cry, shout or scream for it! I have also been left with an uneasy feeling that this government is steering the country and it's people towards this type of society. ...more

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Jan 27, 2019 Karen Cole rated it it was amazing

In November 2016, the UN published a report citing 'grave and systematic violations of the rights of disabled people in the UK. In August 2017, the UN reiterated the findings of the report. Disabled and vulnerable people the length and breadth of the country have their own stories to tell of the devastating impact of this Government's austerity policies.
Cull is set in a near-future where the policies and buzzwords we have become used to; 'hard-working taxpayers', 'scroungers', 'Making Work Pay' In November 2016, the UN published a report citing 'grave and systematic violations of the rights of disabled people in the UK. In August 2017, the UN reiterated the findings of the report. Disabled and vulnerable people the length and breadth of the country have their own stories to tell of the devastating impact of this Government's austerity policies.
Cull is set in a near-future where the policies and buzzwords we have become used to; 'hard-working taxpayers', 'scroungers', 'Making Work Pay' have been taken to the next level with the Care and Protect Bill. The most vulnerable members of society - the disabled, ill and elderly are now seen as a burden, freeloaders who cost the state money and any rights they once had are being stripped away. Most public transport has scrapped special seating for what are now known as crips - 'If you can't fit, you can't sit' and new health and safety legislation means service dogs are prohibited from all restaurants, cafés and cafeterias (including schools, universities and work-based cafeterias) unless approved by management. In short, Britain has become an even worse place for the disabled than it is now, with hate crimes becoming an even more regular occurrence, as people become emboldened by a Government whose 'Believe in Better' campaign includes an 'It's Curtains for Skivers!' policy which means nobody dares risk hanging curtains lest they invite the attentions of a window smashing mob.
Alex is partially sighted and as such has been forced to accept a part-time placement working for a local newspaper. It doesn't pay and she is struggling to make ends meet but working more hours would result in her losing her Housing Entitlement. When she and her guide dog, Chris come across a painfully thin dog belonging to a local homeless man, she discovers a new scheme ostensibly to help the long-term homeless but which seems to involve their disappearance and before long her investigation leads her into terrible danger.
Most of the story is told from Alex's perspective and she is a resolute, principled woman albeit not without her flaws, particularly when it comes to her heavy drinking. She is understandably frustrated by a system which is designed to keep her in her place as a needy burden on society instead of allowing her to utilise her extensive reporting experience. Throughout the book she is aided and abetted by Chris and some chapters are delightfully written from his point of view as we are given a glimpse into his world of exciting smells and vibrations. These scenes are beautifully described and are a believable suggestion of what a guide dog might think as he switches between his on duty working role and the times when he is off harness and allowed to enjoy exploring the wonderful scents around him. The bond between him and Alex is obvious and when his doggy senses pick up danger, his fears for her are almost palpable.
Other parts of the book are seen from various characters' perspectives and often give a chilling insight into the full scale of the horrors being perpetrated. Andre is a particularly nasty piece of work but is just a typical foot soldier of the more calculated plotters whose violence is secretive but far more deadly. As the novel progresses, the tension becomes nailbiting as the truth between what is really happening at Grassybanks care home is finally revealed. It's terrifying but having seen the already dehumanising results of oppressive austerity policies and the knowledge of how eugenics and euthanasia have been used so terribly effectively in the past means it's all just too believable.
Cull is a brilliantly sharp satire but it makes for a deeply uncomfortable read that will rightly cause its readers to question just what we have already accepted and how much further society would permit a Government to go under the guise of protecting the rights of tax-payers. The story itself is engrossing; by turns witty, shocking and heartbreaking and is an essential read which I cannot recommend highly enough.
...more

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Apr 20, 2019 Rhona Mitchell Tennant rated it it was amazing

Amazing, distressing and really, really cool.

Full review to follow

I got this book on kindle through the Unbound Reading Club (it’s a very cool idea from an indie crowd-funded publisher – go click the link!!) and was intrigued as soon as I read the blurb.

(view spoiler) Amazing, distressing and really, really cool.

Full review to follow

I got this book on kindle through the Unbound Reading Club (it’s a very cool idea from an indie crowd-funded publisher – go click the link!!) and was intrigued as soon as I read the blurb.

(view spoiler)[
Ok, so I may have skipped over the first line – it wasn’t until after finishing it, and reading other reviews that I realised this was satirical but since I loved the book anyway, does that really matter?

My first thought when I started reading was that this was a dystopia, a contemporary – or very near future one. Now dystopias are one of my current favourite genres so I thought, a dystopia set in the UK with actual proper disability rep? Yes, please.

So I kept reading. I know some people have been put off slightly by the fact that a few chapters are written from Chris, Alex’s guide dog’s perspective but I actually loved it. It gave a different, lighter perspective on the horrifically serious topic Bush was actually writing about.

It also helped to build Alex’s character for me – she was overall quite isolated (self-imposed or otherwise) but she was able to create and maintain a happy, healthy relationship with someone else.

The worst thing about reading this book (and not realising it was satire) was that it felt far, far too real. For me, this was a dystopia that, given another few years of austerity and Tory government could be true – non-fiction instead of fiction as they say. Bush even has a government minister in the mould of Jacob Rees-Mogg, the despicable John Thorpe-Sinclair.

I loved the small acts of rebellion throughout the book such as Mrs Honey’s way of dealing with her daughter’s loss of Carers’ Allowance and The Ladies Defective Agency.

I also really loved that this was a proper disability rep. There were happy endings for some but, there was never the suggestion of the “cured” trope which can be so easy for people to fall into by choice and by ignorance. Again it wasn’t until finishing and reading some bio things about Tanvir Bush that I found out it was also an #ownvoices rep as well so that was cool – and makes it kind of obvious as to why there wasn’t the “cured” trope in the book. And overall, despite happiness, or contentment for some – there is a clear ending showing that nothing in the novel actually made a difference, the tiny acts of rebellion and personal victories aside, the world kept going in the same way it was before the start of the action.

The book is horribly sad, because of how desolate it made me feel mostly because of the aforementioned realness; but I also laughed, and more often than not rolled my eyes at the actions of the government and other ableist characters.

I’m really glad I found this book; it’s a very well done depiction (ok satirical depiction) of some of the worst aspects of life in Britain today. But it was also quirky and creative in ways too.

(hide spoiler)] ...more

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Feb 20, 2019 Barbara rated it really liked it

Shelves: britishness, domestic-drama, fiction

In a world very like our own - scarily so at times - society has turned on its under-contributing members - the skivers, the scroungers and especially the disabled. Shouting abuse at 'crips', attacking those in wheelchairs, with sticks, or with guide dogs, and having a go at the homeless all seem to be acceptable forms of behaviour in Tanvir Bush's vision of a Britain where welfare cuts bite hard and suicides by those caught on the underbelly of society are on the rise.

Our protagonist is Alex, ...more

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Jan 10, 2019 Misfits farm rated it really liked it

Think the future. Think a state where you pretty much have to work whatever your situation. If not you have to apply for 50 jobs a week otherwise no benefits. Where vulnerable and elderly are taken away so that their carers can work and add to the efficiency of the country. Alex is visually impaired and has her guide dog Chris. She stumbles across something that leads her on an interesting path , one that could put her in danger and where no one would care. There is truth (albeit it controversia ...more

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Jan 22, 2019 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

I am not sure how to explain this book. Cull takes the concept of a scapegoat to a new place: blaming the disabled, homeless, and elderly for their plight, determining that they are bleeding the system dry, and cutting their assistance to the bare minimum, if that. Then it goes further with a plot to basically erase these classes from society, with the wholehearted support and enthusiasm of a majority of society. The story is placed in Britain but could so easily take place in the US. I really e ...more

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Apr 26, 2019 Jenny Hemming rated it really liked it

Thought-provoking, witty satire with a strong message. I enjoyed the imaginative leap of the perspective from the natural world, and it sat easily with the story's structure and tone. The plot is well-crafted and anxiety inducing, such that I had to stop reading to summon the strength to continue. Disappointing in outcome, but I fear all too realistic. The depiction of where austerity could easily take us is an important warning - I hope it is in time. The current impact of austerity on the most ...more

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Dec 28, 2018 Michael Berquist rated it it was amazing

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review on Netgalley.

This was a powerful novel that although hard to read at times was harrowing and necessary for our present time. Imagine a world where benefits and opportunities for employment are stripped away from people with disabilities. Bush creates such a hellscape that is not too far removed from our political climate. I hope this great indie novel finds a wider readership!

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Nov 24, 2018 Becky rated it it was amazing

Shelves: general-fiction

This is truly superb, dark and chilling but also darkly comic. There is definitely a ‘Black Mirror’ feel to it, something that feels so close to where we are, and a horrifyingly realistic potential of where our society could be headed.

Excellent characters and plot, I loved Alex and Chris especially!!

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Mar 29, 2019 Irkalla Ethrinkah rated it it was amazing

Great read. I hope that's not really the future for disabled people like me. I wonder if there will be a sequel. ...more

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Oct 05, 2020 Dawn Robinson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Fantastic read, such an eye opener on the discrimination that people with disabilities face each and every day by a system that should be supporting them.

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Dec 29, 2018 Isabelle | Nine Tale Vixen marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: arcs-review-copies, social-justice-fiction

(I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

DNF at 64%.

The premise is both fascinating and daring, really unique, but the writing just really doesn't work for me. I wasn't a fan of the segues into Chris (the guide dog)'s POV - I thought they were too cutesy considering how grim the rest of the book is - and the gritty details about all the (literal and figurative) shit everywhere were uncomfortably graphic.

But the real dealbreaker was the way the narrative deals with rac ...more

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Sian Wootton rated it really liked it
May 22, 2019

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May 20, 2019

Kathryn Hemmann rated it really liked it
May 31, 2020

Jan 23, 2019 Lizbeth rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com and the publisher Unbound. Thanks to both for the opportunity to read and review.

Dr. Bush's new novel is a glimpse into the future of care of the disabled and elderly. It strikes very close to home as a reader with a loved one with disabilities. As the cover suggests, in this story, disabled people are being expendable. As are addicts, the elderly and anyone viewed to be leeching off the system. Considering what National Health ...more

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