It Could Happen Here CZM Book Club: Hermetica, by Alan Lea, Part One
Aug 3, 2025
This discussion dives into the philosophical heart of 'Hermetica,' exploring personal growth and the significance of hermetic principles today. Listeners meet Days, a troubled palliative therapist, navigating identity and unfulfilled dreams in a structured world. The narrative unfolds in a futuristic landscape, where a cat named Snookums offers solace amid daily challenges. The struggles of a community battling an epidemic are juxtaposed with quirky advertising, while suspense builds around an unexpected twist in a high-stakes aptitude exam.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Weight of Unfulfilled Dreams
- Days feels trapped in a low-prestige therapy job despite high aspirations and natural talents.
- Their dream of working on the sky contrasts sharply with their bleak reality of repetitive, uninspiring work.
Snookums the Healing Cat
- Days encounters a mysterious cat named Snookums who relaxes their chronic tension.
- The cat's presence dissolves Days' stress, allowing them to release long-suppressed tears.
Small Roles, Grand Impact
- Individuals on Hermetica have tightly defined roles yet feel both small and extraordinary simultaneously.
- Their tightly interlinked duties create a vast, collective impact despite personal limitations.
