Elizabeth Dougherty

The Blind Pig is a throw back to the good old days of science fiction; and that's a very good thing. The early sci-fi writers observed the world around them,(culture, technology, politics) and then extrapolated how those common day-to-day things would evolve going into the future 25, 50, 100 years or more. Elizabeth Dougherty has captured that spirit and given us a story that answers the what if questions concerning the fuel/energy crisis, computers/internet, cell phones, health care, and feeding an ever increasing population. Her vision of the near future is detailed, realistic, and somewhat uncomforable. The charactors are very believable and feel like someone you know at work or in your neighborhood.

The only minor issue I have is concerning the title. I think there really should be some explanation connecting the title to the story. Most people don't know the history of the phrase 'blind pig'. Other than that, this book is an intersting and enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to her next outing. If she writes another book, I hope it's a sci-fi as well. She gets what sci-fi should be.… (plus d'informations)

Set in the near future, journalist Angela Anselm writes an online nutrition column that readers follow from around the world. In a dystopian world of a futuristic Boston metropolis, the NArc (Nutritional Architecture System) is a government operated organization that molecularly assembles every meal to meet each individuals personal nutrition needs based on their current health status. People eating the NArc system food have nanobot computer chips in their wrists to be scanned before each meal intake. People with cancers, diabetes, heart problems, all have their diet monitored with food supplements that accommodate and heal their bodies as each ready-meal is processed. People now live longer, stay healthy, obesity and minor diseases have been eliminated. Those who are terminally ill, or have lived to their prime, are shifted to Scheduled Termination.

In our past history, land reduction through global warming caused over population depleting the worlds' food source. Real food, meat, vegetables and fruit were highly tainted with toxic pesticides and bacteria killing off the earth's people. Something needed to be done to rectify the food shortage and the death toll from the natural food no longer capable of sustaining our lives. The NArc food replacement program was to solve this world-wide crisis. It was soon mandated that everyone must eat NArc food. Natural food was now outlawed and illegal. Cheaters, people who choose to deviate off the program could become sick and die. Offenders caught were fined or jailed and their health insurance revoked.

As Angela's readership dwindles, her editor gives her an ultimatum to create a new article that will regain popularity. Hitting the streets, Angela embarks on following the trail of two recent deaths that the local police deem food poisoning. Her investigations lead her to an unknown underground world of Foodies, rebels who deal in natural food behind the cover of Speakeasies, similar to that of the 1930's prohibition era for bootlegging alcohol. Fresh produce markets and delicious restaurants, are hidden behind walls of freedom so that humans can once again salivate over delicious plates of aromatic tasty dinners. For Angela, who was a pro-NArc participant, she soon becomes aware of the pleasures and safeness of what these people grow, cook, and allow their taste buds to savor. But this is dangerous ground she covers. While she goes undercover to report the news to the public that the government may have lied, she informs the people that the increasing deaths might not be what they all were brainwashed to believe.

Elizabeth Dougherty has intricately created a marvelous future world of towering skyscrapers, aerial transport rails speeding through glass tunnels that converge into a giant crystal sphere train station, sky farms with robotic pollinators, super cool high-tech gadgets, mood fabrics that change color with emotions, and a fun filled virtual reality platform for cyber dating using avatars. Her execution of this innovative novel offers polished writing, great character development, danger filled action, espionage, awesome sci-fi special effects, and even a little romance. Reminicent of early works by Michael Crichton, The Blind Pig is not to be missed. Clever stuff, very very clever!!… (plus d'informations)