Right-wing fears come true in Dan Simmons’ ‘Flashback’

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | Aug 14, 2011 | Patrick Anderson

[KeyLargo]

Right-wing fears come true in Dan Simmons’ ‘Flashback’

By Patrick Anderson Aug 14, 2011 02:27AM

Dan Simmons’ Flashback is an abundantly entertaining, often outrageous right-wing fantasy about a weak, broken United States 20-odd years from now. The country is ruled by the Japanese, lives in fear of the Islamic Global Caliphate, and its citizens mostly spend their time stoned on a drug called flashback that lets them escape to a better past. Some of the events that have occurred between now and the early 2030s can be summed up thusly:

U.S. Goes Bankrupt

Israel Destroyed by Nuclear Attack

Mexican Army Invades California

Sharia Law Rules Europe, Canada

Giant Mosque Built at Ground Zero

U.S. Down to 44½ States

There’s more, but you get the idea. And if you haven’t guessed, the blame for almost all these disasters lies with the fellow who was elected president of the United States in 2008.

At the start of the novel, we’re in Denver, where Nick Bottom, an ex-cop turned private investigator, goes to see a man named Nakamura who wants Nick to find out who killed his son. It’s a classic private-eye novel opening, but things turn strange when we learn that Nakamura, a Japanese billionaire, is one of nine federal advisers who control money and National Guard forces in America.

[KeyLargo]

"On his website, he denies that Flashback reflects his personal political views, but it’s certainly going to delight readers on the right more than those on the left. It can’t be denied that this novel’s arrival at a moment of near-total political breakdown in America adds to its relevance, whatever glories or disasters may ensue in the next two decades."

Patrick Anderson regularly reviews thrillers and mysteries for the Washington Post.

[Grunthor]

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/j/j-a-johnstone/phoenix-rising.htm

[WackySam]

On his website, he denies that Flashback reflects his personal political views..

I don't believe that for a second. After reading "The Time Traveler" a few years back, there's no doubt in my mind as to which side he's on. At least when it comes to the Religion of Piece.

[MSF BU]

Probably some decent reading here if you like fiction. The idea that Japan will be a super power supposed some severe demographic reversals. Are the gals in Japan going to start having four kids on average? If they’re not, Japan won’t be a super anything.

[GOPJ]

Can’t wait to see the movie...

[Free Vulcan]

Wonder why he picked Japan instead of China. They’re far more likely to rule over a powerless U.S.

The Mexican army could try to invade the U.S. and I’d still think we’d beat them silly even in the scenario projected in the book.

[Kieri]

I haven’t read “The Time Traveler,” but the Olympus/Ilium books had me convinced he thinks islam is suicidal-homicidal crazy.

[Durus]

China is wholly dependent on our economy. If we go down, they do down.

[catnipman]

Thank you Dan for writing the novel that I wish I had the talent to write.

[AZLiberty]

Right-wing fears Inevitable consequences of destructive liberal policies come true in Dan Simmons’ ‘Flashback’

[martin_fierro]

For an example of Left-Wing fears coming true, see just about every other movie produced since 1975.

[GOPJ]

Cool right wing SF book...