The Core of the Sun

306 pages

English language

Published Aug. 7, 2016

ISBN:
978-0-8021-2464-7
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OCLC Number:
933433115

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4 stars (3 reviews)

Set in an alternative historical present, in a "eusistocracy"--An extreme welfare state -- that holds public health and social stability above all else, it follows a young woman whose growing addiction to illegal chili peppers leads her on an adventure into a world where love, sex, and free will are all controlled by the state.

2 editions

Sinisala Delivers The Patriarchy A Blow To The Chillies

4 stars

I'm not sure how I came across this book but I'm glad I did. Sinisalo invents a uchronic Finland where a human female sub-species has been bred. Known as Eloi, they are submissive, receptive and bred for sex and procreation. Intelligent, independent women, Morlocks, are not permitted to reproduce and are doomed to a life of menial labour. The Eusistocratic Republic of Finland benefits and strengthens the patriarchy.

Vana looks like an Eloi but isn't. She wants to rescue her Eloi sister Manna. To do it she needs the money and teams up with a male friend, Jare, to sell chilli. Chilli is considered to be an extremely dangerous stimulant by the Finnish Health authority and the growing or possession of it is illegal. To complicate matters, Vana is an addict and her addiction is getting worse.

Sinisalo tells a truly twisted tale through multiple viewpoints (Vana's and Jare's), letters …

A very topical dystopia

4 stars

The "Finnish Weird" label that I've seen bandied around fits but also doesn't quite - it had me expecting a bit of a lighter quirkier book than this turned out to be. The first scene or two definitely feels like that, but it quickly becomes apparent that a more serious dystopia is being spun, along lines set out by the cover.

Actually I should praise the cover more: it's one of the best book covers I've ever seen, because it tells a lot of the story but without spoilers since none of it made sense until I had reached the relevant parts of the book.

reviewed The Core of the Sun by Johanna Sinisalo

Totally weird, yet very satisfying

5 stars

Content warning no details, but some plot concepts are touched on.

Subjects

  • Women
  • Hot peppers
  • Fiction

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