Last Light in paperback: Peak Oil in the spotlight
About a year ago I confidently predicted that Alex Scarrow's second novel Last Light would be the blockbuster of the summer and suggested, somewhat bossily looking back, that "you should read it".
But, really, you should. And with Orion Books today publishing the paperback version of the novel, it will be a good deal more accessible.
Even last year, Last Light seemed the right book at exactly the right moment. it deals with the aftermath of a major geo-political upheaval caused by revolution in Saudi Arabia and a sudden and irreversible unravelling of the world's oil supply system. The aftermath, as imagined by Scarrow, is somewhat terrifying. The free flow of oil supports life on the planet: underpinning the distribution of power, food, water and life's other essentials. Without it, the UK descends into sudden, violent anarchy and our cosy, civilised world quickly disappears.
Last year it could have been argued that the scenario was somewhat far-fetched - although it is not an argument I would have mounted with any great conviction. But those were the heady days of petrol being sold at a mere 85p per litre at the pump, rather than the 125p it is at now as we stare down the barrel of an entirely imaginable 150p. And more maybe.
At the heart of Scarrow's book is the premise of Peak Oil, the phrase that describes the moment when global oil production reaches its height before declining, as demand, fuelled (if you'll pardon the pun) by the runaway economies of India, China and the like.
Right now, it feels very much like the world is on the edge: politically and economically. If the governor of the Bank of England is predicting "a bumpy road" you know damned well what he means is "unmade, pot-hole ridden, dirt track in the jungle with bandits around every corner". It might have started with some over-enthusiastic lending in the US, but right now the problems are being exacerbated by the rising price of food and, you've guessed it, oil.
Where could this lead? Who knows? To a quick recovery with any luck, but perhaps to a version of Last Light.
This is a terrific book. Pacy, well-written, thought-provoking, very scary. A damned good thriller.
At the risk of ruining my reputation - not much to risk, I admit - I would again urge you to get a copy of this book. You won't regret it.
As for me, I was excited today by two things. Firstly, Orion is using Material Witness quotes in some of its marketing for the book!! Which is the sort of recognition I never expected. And secondly I received a proof of Alex's new book, October Skies. Happy (if a little scary) days.








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