Susan Palwick, Shelter

Shelter

Susan Palwick

Tor, Jun 2007, $15.95

ISBN: 9780312866020

In the future, colossal storms have devastated climates and the pandemic CV virus has killed off much of the human populace. MacroCorp CEO Preston Walford is a victim of the disease, but his intelligence is transferred into a virtual cyber-being. His "machine" has been declared legally a person as has some other transformations. This angers those opposed to artificial intelligence even if it originated in a God given natural state. However Preston could not care less about protesters who are like gnats in his mind; his plan is to change society into his image.

However, he keeps track of his estranged daughter Meredith, who cannot conceive so has adopted an African infant who survived the ravage of a virus. However, her Nicholas suffers from horrible nightmares of monsters that he must kill or die. Meredith tries to help her beloved son with the aid of excessive altruistic Roberta Danton and Fred the AI as mom realizes her child has been brainwiped probably by her father. Soon all those who offered solace will learn that the worst crime a person can commit is caring for another human.

This multifaceted science fiction contains two major complicated subplots that tie together through the Meredith's relationships with her dad and her son. One theme focuses on the war as big business AI supporters (dad) vs. the anti-AI radicals. However, that subplot though well written lacks the heart of the other major subplot, caring for Nicholas in a world where kindness and compassion for others can prove deadly. Science fiction fans will appreciate Susan Palwick's horrifying look at a near future San Francisco.

Harriet Klausner