Wired [Paperback]

 

 

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Sometimes, I think we should start talking about "end times" fiction as a distinct genre. Certainly, there are any number of books to choose from. LaHaye and Jenkins' series starting with Left Behind is an obvious example, but don't forget James BeauSeigneur's "Christ Clone Trilogy" (which Warner Faith, the publisher of Wired, has recently republished, starting with In His Image), Bill Myers' books starting with Threshold, and Pat Robertson's The End of the Age. There are undoubtedly others I have not yet encountered. To paraphrase Solomon, of the writing of "end times" novels there is no end.

So what does Wise bring to this well-trodden territory? Well, for one thing, he recognises that even placing his story a few years in the future means that there are likely to be technological and social changes. Unusually for such a book, he actually sets a specific date for the beginning of the action, and then proceeds to introduce several technological changes (such as hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, nanotechnology, and a holographic video conferencing system), and social changes (another oil shortage, and increased use of mass transit systems in the United States, even by the relatively well-off.) In this case, nanotechnology is "the mark of the beast", used as an indelible identification system instituted in response to the fear caused by multiple terrorist attacks on American targets. For another thing, he doesn't follow the crowd in how he identifies his characters. For a refreshing change, the U.N. is not the tool the antichrist uses to take over the world. He also departs from the normal starting point of the plot. Instead of beginning his story before the Rapture, with a fairly normal world, and then showing things getting progressively nastier the further things get into the Tribulation, he begins after the Rapture. All of the "surviving" characters are in a sort of post-traumatic stress: completely incapable of explaining the disappearance of so many millions of people, trying desperately to pretend that life is still perfectly normal, and barely functional.

Do I have quibbles? You know I do. There are some out-and-out technical errors. Of the three which stand out in my mind, one will make anybody familiar with nanotechnology laugh, but isn't really all that critical to the plot. Another is critical to the plot, and should, unfortunately, be pretty obvious to anybody familiar with that subgenre of thrillers related to the abuse of governmental power. The third is just plain embarrassing. Then, too, this book shares a weakness all too common to thrillers: characters go places, do things, and say things, not because it would be in character for them to do so, but because it is necessary to the plot. (Granted, thrillers are, after all, plot driven rather than character driven, but Lois McMaster Bujold's work, which is both taut and believable, has spoiled me for most other authors. She has shown that it can be done, so I expect them to be able to follow suit.) Then too, when the nanotechnology and other high-tech surveillance technologies are introduced, the characters immediately grasp the implications for the infringement of privacy. It would have served the "thriller" aspect of this work better if these technologies had been introduced as beneficial, with the darker implications only slowly being revealed as the story went on. But the most annoying aspect for me was the antichrist character. As is almost always the case in this subgenre, the antichrist is a foreigner. In fact, and this should come as no surprise coming out after the attack on the World Trade Center, he has an Arabic name, and is putting together a plot for the Arabic nations to conquer the world. (I do hate to keep harping on this, but Americans have a well-developed xenophobic streak, and although evangelicals should be rebuking that attitude, all too frequently they just go along with it. I fear that the net result of all of these "antichrist as foreigner" stories will be to encourage American Christians to regard foreigners with mistrust and suspicion, instead of evaluating people, American or not, on the basis of their deeds. In other words, rather than promoting the watchfulness counselled in the Bible, these stories are more likely to stoke the fires of prejudice.)

In 2022, the world abruptly changed for the worse when millions suddenly vanished. Shock, fear, and anger became the norm as violence gripped the survivors, if that is even an appropriate word for those who still lived on planet earth. Using advance technology, a police state that makes Orwell's 1984 look as simple as Ashcroft's 2004 take control of everyday life. Additionally, ruthless war lords lead lawless anarchists taking whatever they want as long as they stay away from the even more merciless ruling elite.

In this world gone mad some good people still try to raise their family with positive values towards others. Graham and Jackie Peck are such a couple until the violence hits home when someone aimlessly killed his mother. As their son asks questions about his Grammy, the Pecks seek answers too. Why would God do this to a caring kindhearted innocent person like his mother and why was this family left behind? For answers they turn to the New Seekers, but that membership leads the Pecks to ponder more questions of what to do believe.

This is an exciting end times thriller that makes a case that today's international governments ,including a belief in the empire seeking of the United States sets the stage for the Anti-Christ to move into control. Aimed as a warning tale to Christians, WIRED is a solid thriller that fans of apocalypse now tales will appreciate though the leaps in political integration seems stretched. Still the audience will receive a wonderful tale due mostly to the stunned Pecks wondering what they did wrong to be left behind.

Harriet Klausner

The world is a scary and dangerous place. It always has been, really, but since the mass disappearance of millions of people several years ago, it's gotten worse. The weather has gone wild, violence is rampant, and there is little meaning to life. Graham and Jackie Peck are good people, trying to make a life for themselves and their children in this chaotic state, when the violence around them touches home. Graham's mother is killed in an apparently random attack, such as is too common lately. When their oldest son wonders what will happen to Grammy now that she's gone and can not accept that she would just not be anywhere anymore, they begin a search for answers and meaning.

There could be no better nor more dangerous time to do this. The world's political system is set for the anti -Christ to take over, making all who are trying to reclaim the faith that left the world targets. That includes the Peck family.

*** Wired drives home the fact that faith is what gives substance to life. With frightening reality, Mr Wise will make you hope the pre millenialists are right, if you are Christian. If you are not, he will make you want to be one. ***
Amanda Killgore

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4.0 out of 5 stars Wired and Ready
The Tribulation Survivor Series. Graham and Jackie Peck, Chicago residents in 2022, find themselves surrounded with terrorist attacks, murders, and lawlessness. Read more

Published on Feb 28 2004 by Eileen Key

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