Why 4 Haunting Stories in “Patti 209” Will Change How You See the Future
- Karen Herbert
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
First of a series of reviews of books written by a Karen!
Karen Anderson, writing as K.G. Anderson, has published a collection of short stories that are hauntingly prescient. Patti 209 contains 15 tales of the "near future" that explore all the issues we are struggling with today. From elder care, freedom of speech, reproductive choice, cyber spying, genetic engineering- it's all there.
Thank you to Karen Anderson, who provided me with an early copy of her anthology for review purposes. Find it on Amazon here.
Each story has well-drawn protagonists. I related to all the main characters, from the senior citizen to the unlucky protester to the teenage girl facing an unwanted pregnancy. All fifteen are worth reading, but let me tell you about my four favorites.
Patti 209
The first and titular story, Patti 209, tells the plight of residents in an assisted living facility. The institution designed by Patti and her friend Rachel was a state-of-the-art complex that included gardens, recreational activities, and medical support. Generally, exactly what you and I would want from a senior housing development. However, the reality was different.
Employees who wasted time giving care were replaced by less expensive, more tractable people. The underpaid caregivers we wound up with were a far cry from the skilled professionals and intelligent robots I’d imagined forty years ago when I was designing the Fiddler’s Green Retirement Community. Robots? Hah!
At the end of the story, Patti reclaims control and makes her own heartbreaking decisions. Patti's situation made me grapple with my own plans for down-sizing in the future.
Wishbone
Eerily reminiscent of the science fiction classic "Logan's Run," this story offers instead the Age Equity Act of 2030. (Only 5 years away!) The AEA plugs into the resentment against senior citizens for hoarding resources needed by younger generations. I know I've been chagrined to see memes blaming any negative economic news on Boomers; this story takes those complaints further. Note that I'll be 72 in 2030.
This great nation of ours can still recover—the Coalition is here to see to that—but not if young people like us have to pay endlessly to keep a bunch of old right wingers with dementia on life support. Frankly, I think the Olds should be grateful that they can at least contribute something to society by getting out of the way.
The narrative focuses on one 79 year old woman whose grandson is a polician who had a role in the passage of the Age Equity Act. However, this grandmother has other ideas for how to celebrate her 80th birthday.
A Sign of the Times
Easily the most chilling of the collection, this tale relates the first person charged under the new Corporate Hate Crimes Laws. Joseph Henry participated in a protest - just like I've done as recently as last month - and now he sits in jail. His sign read:
Destroy Feracidata! Take back our jobs,our environment, and our city!
If convicted, the penalty for publicly encouraging violence against a corporation is death. Has this story been in the back of my mind as I keep my signs almost neutral with pro-democracy slogans? Despite this cautionary tale, I am determined to keep protesting.
Unwanted Visitor
Given the ongoing daily renditions of individuals without due process, I found this account of an unexpected visit eerily accurate in predicting current events. The protagonist experiences a persistent sense of powerlessness when her city is proclaimed terrorist haven and inspections can happen without a warrant. Agents barge in shortly after an old friend Marie arrives, who is incredulous about the intrusion.
I studied the polished oak floor, listening as the agents stomped around the house. It seemed to take longer than usual tonight. When I looked up, Marie’s dark eyes met mine. She made no effort to conceal her indignation. “I guess I’d heard about this on the news, but that was months ago,” she said. “I had no idea it was still going on.”
Each day, I read stories from across the country. Could it happen in my home?
Conclusion
Karen Anderson's story collection offers compelling narratives centered around current political issues. She skillfully writes about controversial themes with well-developed characters, making unsettling predictions about our future. For anyone seeking an engaging and thought-provoking read, this book is highly recommended.
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