The Repossession Mambo

I was set the task of reviewing The Repossession Mambo for my University student newspaper, and it is thanks to that, that I have experienced this incredible book.

Eric Garcia seems to be a strange man - I thought this after reading the explanatory notes he included at the back of the text, recounting how he came by the idea and how the idea grew. His book is an incredible story of science fiction, with a powerful message about detached humanity and the dark side of technology. This is an intense read - probably not for those looking for a fun, easy read - but it is well worth the effort! In this book you will find science fiction, humour, love and action.

The plot: In the not so distant future life is made immeasurably longer by the use of antiforgs: artificial human organs. The antiforg business is booming, and the Credit Union is in the business of making loans to make their clients' dreams of an endless life a reality. However, fall behind in your repayments and you'll get a visit from a Bio-Repo man who will remove the organ in question and leave you to die. Remy, a former Bio-Repo man, once wielded the scalpel in such situations, but has gone into hiding, himself a target of organ repossession. Typing his story on an old type writer, Remy grants the reader entry into this dark world, where the unimaginable is legal.

The good bits: I loved the characterisation employed by Garcia - at the beginning I thought that he had absolutely missed the mark with his characters, but it didn't take me long to see the genius of the way in which he had written the characters. I especially loved Remy's detachment from the people he was repossessing organs from - he treats his job like it's as ordinary as walking outside to get the mail. And I loved the idea of the 'antiforgs' - which is hardly a new idea - because Garcia approached the idea in a whole new way.

The bad bits: Sometimes you may find yourself thinking "wait, what? What are they talking about? What just happened? How?" My advice is to just go with it, it'll get explained later, but until it does get explained, it can be a little frustrating.

The audience: Before I read this book, I would have said "science fiction? Only nerds read those!" but now I have a different opinion entirely. Anybody can, and should, read this book - just come to it with an open mind, it's an extra ordinary story with extra ordinary ideas!

The rating: 4/5

*note: A film adaptation starring Jude Law will be released soon!