The Burden of Indigo

The Cal Wild Chronicles #2

by Gene O'Neill

After an economic/ecologic collapse, the Shields along the coast of Cal Wild cast out their criminals and malcontents to wander the dangerous wastelands. The pariahs are permanently dyed, color-coded--reds branding the violent criminals, greens the thieves, blues the sex criminals, etc. The book focuses on the outward/inward journey of an indigo man who believes his color is beginning to finally fade, 30 years after his Judgment of Color. THE BURDEN OF INDIGO is a sf/fantasy/horror tale of the search for salvation.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy

184 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2002

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 2012

This is number 50 of 125 signed numbered copies.

[Eric Guignard · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEWED: The Burden of Indigo
WRITTEN BY: Gene O'Neill
PUBLISHED: March, 2002

This is a strangely beautiful story set in a dystopian society of an outcast's journey of hope and morality. I say " strangely beautiful," because the protagonist is a convicted pedophile, yet the reader is drawn into empathizing and rooting for someone who, under most any other circumstances, would be found appalling and despicable. In this not-too-distant-future, criminals have their skin dyed according to the severity of their crimes and sent to live in the wilds, outside of society's protection. The book follows Gaetan (now known only as an Indigo Man) in his older years as he discovers that the dye on his skin may finally be beginning to fade, and he contemplates the life he once had and what a new future may bring. Powerful, poignant, and demonstrative, this book is a captivating exploration of a multi-layered world and mindset.

Five out of Five stars

[Karl]

This is copy 14 of 65 signed and numbered copies.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid and convincing future tale of a shattered America, specifically California, where the population is divided between city enclaves and outsiders who live in a semi-wilderness. Those convicted of crimes in the enclaves are dyed a particular color (depending on the crime) from head to toe and expelled into the wilderness, where they are also viewed as outcasts. The story follows one such individual as he wanders from place to place. Sharply written with some very effective scenes and a thoroughly convincing environment.

[Jonathan Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, thoughtful, strange dystopian view of future society that dyes the skin of convicts, color coded to their crimes. Think of this as THE SCARLET LETTER, but set in the future, and then follow the life of one man, found guilty of a most despicable crime, as he tries to survive in an exiled wasteland as a pariah. It’s a strong story and a fascinating take on guilt and redemption.

[Sara]

Fear
alone
to take the burdan life
slave to ugly one
waste the yeares
my old memory sulbrate
the love and fear
what to be come of me
wild beast made me
why me
why me
there inside me wild beuty come with dust
that dream
old trust
huge music and gd smell
my old life
befor the best

[Wayne's]

A reasonable story.