"The Book Of Joan" By Lidia Yuknavitch

Описание: Lidia Yuknavitch's "The Book of Joan" is a dystopian novel that explores themes of power, identity, and the consequences of humanity's destructive actions on the environment. The story takes place in a future where the Earth is no longer habitable, and humans have fled to a space station called CIEL. The ruling elite of CIEL, known as the "Rabbits," maintain control through propaganda and violence, while the rest of the population struggles to survive. The novel is structured as a series of interlinked narratives, with different characters telling their own stories and perspectives.The central character of the novel is Joan of Dirt, a rebel and a martyr who has become a symbol of resistance against the Rabbits. Joan is a compelling and complex figure, and her story is intertwined with that of Christine, a writer who is attempting to record the history of Joan and the rebellion. The novel alternates between Christine's first-person narration and Joan's third-person narrative, creating a sense of distance and perspective.One of the central themes of the novel is power and its abuses. The Rabbits control the population through a combination of violence and propaganda, using technology to manipulate people's perceptions of reality. They have created a cult of personality around their leader, Jean de Men, who is portrayed as a messiah-like figure. Jean de Men is a brutal and sadistic character who uses his power to satisfy his own desires, and his actions have devastating consequences for the people of CIEL.In contrast to the Rabbits, Joan represents a different kind of power – a power that comes from within and from a connection to the natural world. Joan is a figure of resistance and rebellion, and her story is one of defiance and sacrifice. She is also a queer and genderfluid character, challenging traditional notions of gender and sexuality. Her relationship with the other rebels, particularly Leone, is one of mutual respect and understanding, and their love is portrayed as a force that transcends traditional categories.Another important theme of the novel is identity and the ways in which it is constructed and deconstructed. The characters in the novel struggle with their own sense of self and their place in the world. Christine, for example, is a writer who has lost her ability to write, and her journey is one of rediscovering her voice and her purpose. She is also struggling with her own mortality, as she has a terminal illness. Her relationship with Trinculo, a scientist who is experimenting with the limits of human existence, highlights the ways in which identity can be transformed and altered through technology.The novel is also concerned with the consequences of humanity's destructive actions on the environment. The Earth is no longer habitable, and the people of CIEL are struggling to survive in a world that is increasingly inhospitable. The Rabbits have exploited the planet's resources for their own gain, and their actions have led to the destruction of the natural world. Joan's connection to the natural world is a reminder of what has been lost, and her rebellion is a call to action to protect what is left.Overall, "The Book of Joan" is a complex and thought-provoking novel that explores a range of themes and issues. It is a meditation on power, identity, and the consequences of humanity's actions, as well as a celebration of resistance and rebellion. Yuknavitch's writing is poetic and evocative, and her characters are vividly drawn and memorable. The novel is a powerful critique of the current state of the world, and a call to action to imagine a different kind of future.