Book Review by Brenda S. Cox
“I can wait in silence no longer. . . . I am trapped between agony and hope.”—For Darkness Shows the Stars, by Diana Peterfreund
In a post-apocalyptic society, far in the future, a girl named Elliot North is one of the Luddites, descendants of those who survived the technological destruction of the world. Elliot’s father, a spendthrift baron, runs his estate poorly, while Elliot’s sister focuses only on appearances. Kai is the son of one of their workers.
Genetic experimentation led to most of mankind becoming “Reduced,” with limited intelligence and speech capacity. However, a new generation, calling themselves “Posts” (Post-Reductionists) have regained normal human skills, but are still treated as slave by the Luddite elite.
Kai is a “Post,” and he and Elliot secretly write letters to each other, from childhood on, as their relationship is forbidden. (These letters are scattered through the novel, building a lovely picture of Kai and Elliot’s past.) They fall in love.
However, when Kai grows up and wants to find a better world, Elliot chooses to stay behind and care for her father’s estate and the workers.
Some years later, Kai, now Captain Wentforth, returns as a successful captain of the fleet of ships crewed by Posts who are exploring the world. Still furious at Elliot, Kai flirts with her neighbour. Elliot continues desperately trying to protect those she loves on the estate. Elliot’s cousin, the heir to her father’s estate, also appears, but is he trustworthy?
The Luddites have set up “protocols” to prevent genetic disaster from happening again. But they also prevent any technological experimentation and development. Certain people are secretly transgressing those boundaries. Will that lead to progress or disaster?
And, most importantly, how can Kai and Elliot, in two very different worlds, possibly find their happily ever after?
This story is a beautiful variation on Persuasion. The characters are compelling, and the plot is gripping. It doesn’t stick exactly to the plot of Persuasion, of course, but includes many of the main story points, characters, and themes.
For example, in the British Navy, men were promoted by merit (mostly, not entirely) and gained money by their exertions. In Persuasion, Sir Walter Elliot complains that the Navy brings people into distinction who were not born into the upper classes. Similar things are happening in Peterfreund’s future society.
Naming those who are against technological experimentation “Luddites” is another nice touch. Of course the Luddites were people who tried to stop the use of machines during the Industrial Revolution, since the machines took away the jobs of many craftspeople, like weavers and lace-makers.
Diana Peterfreund has built a fascinating world in For Darkness Shows the Stars. The other book in the series, Across a Star-Swept Sea (such delightful titles) is apparently an independent story in the same world, inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel. I’ve not yet read that one, but I look forward to it.
If you enjoy science fiction and Jane Austen, I recommend this beautifully written book, For Darkness Shows the Stars.
Faith, Science, Joy, and Jane Austen 