Maureen McArdle

An allegory that cuts all-to-close-to home, this book tells a grim story about a life-or-death game the incarcerated play in a reality show and is sprinkled with occasional footnoted facts. On another level it’s a portrait of the casual disregard the elite have for the rest of society as they manipulate success for themselves. It’s beautifully written with wonderful characters and a horrifying tale. Like many things, it’s beautiful but not easy.