A decentralized, seemingly uncoordinated attack of nanoswarms is shutting down modern life across the globe. A nanovirus that eats away plastics and electronic components cripples transportation, communication, and conveniences everyone has taken for granted for generations, sending civilization back to a pre-industrial existence. As the nanoswarms spread, directed attacks against government have demolished all political and economic institutions. In the wake of these disasters, groups with competing claims of leadership feud.
If you have watched the TV series Revolution, this all sounds quite familiar. But this is actually a description of John Barnes's novel Directive 51, the publication of which, in 2010, predates the TV show by several years, making me wonder if the TV writers drew some inspiration from Barnes. I think the comparison is apt, as Directive 51 develops slowly, covering individual, unrelated characters over wide geographical expanses. The plot is pretty flat and episodic, like a TV show, too.
Barnes's strength of description and detail keep the story interesting, even if much of it seems to be a set up for pretty standard post-apocalyptic fiction. Directive 51 is the first book in a trilogy. While I didn't love this book, I liked it enough that I'll be picking up the next one. Just like a decent TV series, Barnes left me with enough questions and curiosity about the fate of the characters and the nation that I'm willing to tune in again.
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