This was pretty idiosyncratic! A woman is put into a form of exile in a future ravaged by climate change, and the rest of the population, as far as they are concerned, lives on Garbage Island. A massive makeshift state where a kind of devolved language has taken place, and everyone is, literally (for good reason, it proves) called fuckwits. For daring to suggest that they not consume more fuel searching for an endless want, our protagonist suffers greatly: Anyone is “legally” allowed to hurt her but not kill her as punishment, unless she enters the actual island instead of remaining on an attached flotilla house type deal.

Rarely have I come across a protagonist so easily rooted for. And the audiobook actually seems like the best way to consume the book, as the narrator was just fantastic at creating a wide-eyed sense of endearing optimism, despite terrible circumstances. It’s not for people looking for a heavy plot, more for the exploration of a theme and the character work. It’s short, punchy, and had a fantastic ending. Had it been more meaty I think it could have been a 5 star read.