This story is an allegory reminiscent of Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, and other novels of similar appeal. Like those in the same category, Forgiveness shows great socio-political insight.

The question of the story, the way I see it, is: what if the society didn’t punish the wrongdoers but instead, erased the memories of their crimes and let them live without remorse in a fancy environment? Then the story answers this question with another one: Isn’t it a punishment to miss one’s memories and be denied feelings over them?

The main character August, a criminal who doesn’t recall what his crime is, lives in the island Asylum named the Citadel with beautiful Eden-like surroundings and each day he is given Forgiveness shots, with doses adjusted to the crime the criminals have committed. Forgiveness forces happiness by clouding the mind and blocking the memory. August’s Forgiveness doses are the strongest among the others that live in the Citadel. The inmates are also given a mantra that they repeat: “Joy is peace; pain is war.”

While walking around the Gardens of Citadel, August sees a rose, which triggers his memory of his family and eventually the crimes he was forced to commit. But there are guards in the Citadel that catch the residents’ show of feelings and remembrances, and such residents are taken to have their memories wiped. August, although still under the influence of the drug Forgiveness, wants to remember his past and his crimes. How he will do this or he will be successful are the answers to be found by reading the story all the way to its end.

The results I derived from this story are, all lives--no matter what--are worth remembering, and still, some value exists in negative feelings like remorse. In the same vein, one has to wonder why any society should have the ultimate jurisdiction upon its people’s feelings and well-being if such a well-being turns the people into robots.

Alongside its philosophical excellence, this book is very well written with good descriptions and perfect characterization. The word choices and the use of the language are excellent. The plot flows well and with additional action and excitement toward the end. This is one of the better stories I’ve read so far this year, but because of its disturbing nature, I’m afraid it may not be fully understood and appreciated.

making the reader think.

the implied questions on socio-political matters that the story brings to mind

the killing with kindness aspect in the story, but without it, there wouldn't be a story either.

read other books like this one. I don't know if this author has others like it as he seems to be rather young in his photo.

for any society that is dictated and brainwashed by any enforced and misleading common ideals.

Liam North from Canada who says he is working on a novella called Smog.

It contains high-brow material in the same category as the Handmaid's Tale, Fahrenheit 451 and such philosophical-fantasies that may also be categorized as science-fiction.

If you enjoy reading for enjoyment without having to think too much, this book is not for you.

I didn't expect too much when I got this e-book from Amazon since the writer seemed a bit young and sometimes e-books are difficult to read due to their lacking of proofreading, but I liked this story a lot when I read it, and no mistakes as to grammar or editing caught my eye. If anything, the use of the language was very good.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of Forgiveness   from Amazon.Com!

Created Mar 04, 2018 at 2:28pm • Submit your own review...