George Packer on Liberal Values in Authoritarian Times

The novel is set in a near-future New England in the Republic of Gilead, a patriarchal, totalitarian state that has overthrown the United States government. Offred, the narrator, is one of the 'Handmaids', women who are forcibly assigned to produce children for the ruling class, known as 'Commanders'. The story explores themes of powerless women, loss of female agency and individuality, and the suppression of women's reproductive rights. Offred's life is marked by her restrictive routine, her memories of her past life, and her interactions with the Commander, his wife Serena Joy, and other Handmaids, including her friend Ofglen who is part of an underground resistance movement. The novel is a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense.

The Plague, written by Albert Camus, is a philosophical novel that chronicles an outbreak of the bubonic plague in the coastal city of Oran, Algeria. The story is often interpreted as an allegory for the occupation of France during World War II and the rise of fascism. The novel follows Dr. Bernard Rieux and his colleagues as they battle the plague, highlighting themes of everyday heroism, the absurdity of human suffering, and the collective response to disaster. As the city is placed under quarantine, the citizens face isolation, despair, and eventually, a sense of social responsibility and solidarity. The novel explores existential and theological questions, particularly through the characters of Dr. Rieux and Father Paneloux, and concludes with a reflection on the enduring nature of human suffering and the importance of human solidarity in the face of adversity.

'Waiting for the Barbarians', by J.M. Coetzee, explores themes of colonialism, power, and moral responsibility through the eyes of a magistrate in a remote outpost of an unnamed empire. The magistrate begins to question the empire's brutal treatment of suspected 'barbarians'. His growing empathy leads to conflict with the authorities. The novel examines the psychological effects of oppression and the complexities of justice. Coetzee's stark prose and allegorical narrative challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and societal structures.

The Long Emergency delves into the effects of a peak in oil extraction on American society and the world. Kunstler argues that the economic upheavals caused by peak oil will force societies to become more localized and self-sufficient. He predicts significant problems in transportation, electrical power generation, and food production due to oil scarcity. The book also discusses the inadequacy of alternative energy sources and the potential for mass starvation, disease, and civil unrest as communities struggle to adapt to these new challenges.

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.