From award-winning, New York Times bestselling novelist Ben H. Winters comes a mind-bending novel set in a world governed by absolute truth, where lies are as dangerous as murder. In a strange alternate society that values law and truth above all else, Laszlo Ratesic is a nineteen-year veteran of the Speculative Service. He lives in the Golden State, a nation standing where California once did, … State, a nation standing where California once did, a place where like-minded Americans retreated after the erosion of truth and the spread of lies made public life and governance impossible.
In the Golden State, knowingly contradicting the truth is the greatest crime — and stopping those crimes is Laz’s job. In its service, he is one of the few individuals permitted to harbor untruths, to “speculate” on what might have happened.
But the Golden State is less of a paradise than its name might suggest. To monitor, verify, and enforce the truth requires a veritable panopticon of surveillance and recording. And when those in control of the facts twist them for nefarious means, the Speculators are the only ones with the power to fight back.
I read this book in one sitting then stayed up late thinking about it, picking at the threads of the story the same way it wants you to pick at the threads of reality and truth. I loved the protagonist, Laszlo, and his gruff but tender personality. The twists of the end kept me flipping pages. This was the first truly surprising book I’ve read in a while.
Kurt Vonnegut is one of my all-time favorite writers, and this novel by Ben H. Winters reminded me strikingly of Vonnegut. Winters creates alternate reality, a post-apocalyptic “state” where lying is against the law. It’s a vivid world, and so can’t help but be fascinated by Laszlo’s gift and his quandaries. I did feel the end was a bit forced; hence, the four stars.
Ben H Winters has an inimical, cool, rather of distanced style that works really well for his brand of not too distant, not too desirable science fiction.
If you yearn for a world where truth is valued above all else, Golden State will cure you of that ill.
BOOK REVIEW
Golden State by Ben H. Winters
-DESCRIPTION-
A dystopian novel that takes place in the far future of what is now California. Where truth and fact are the law of the land. Those who purposefully lie will find themselves in prison and those who are unable to understand what is true and factual, there is banishment.
-THOUGHTS-
1. I love a dystopian novel, especially one that takes such a simple concept…or so we think…and turns it over and over until it is so beyond complicated. We are taught to not tell lies. Yet, we do. All day long. Even in the Golden State small white lies are taken into account….but larger lies. When one is being deceptive, is met with punishment.
2. I really loved the main character, Lazlo. He’s gritty, and real, bad brainwashed. I love a perfectly imperfect character. And he is it. However, the other characters where so surface. I needed more than just one character to hold onto.
3. In the end, I do wish there had been more explaining. The speculative service members…how do they get these “powers” that can tell who is lying an who is not? How did the Golden State come to be? I needed more.
-RATING-
This book was just ok for me. I needed more.
-SIMILAR RECOMMENDED READS-
Verity
Wilder Girls
The Gilded Wolves
This is a book that tackles one of the biggest issues of our time…what is truth?
In a world where California has become its own nation-state, a policeman works hard to solve a mystery. This is a place where lying of any kind is considered a crime.
This is a work of fiction that will not only entertain you but truly make you think!
Really enjoyed reading this novel by Ben H. Winters
Golden State by Ben H. Winters a five-star read that has a golden edge to it. This was my first read by this author, but it wont be the last, I plan on going back and reading The Last Policeman trilogy as the writing was sublime, the world building second to none and this whole novel was well written there was a little section that took e a while to get through as it seemed more dribbly than the rest, like there where ten words when two would do, that being said a couple of chapters later and I was sunk back in and couldn’t put it down again. Even though the main character Laszlo is on a downer when we see the world through his eyes, he shows us his story and you see why he is the way he is as he sees the truth behind what people claim, that would put a darker shade on anyone. While reading this novel you will feel the walls closing in on you, its that compelling.
Wow! The concept of truth examined inside a dystopian mystery.