2084

A "sharply satirical" novel about an oppressive religious dictatorship and one man''s discovery of an underground resistance (Library Journal). 2015 Winner of the Le Grand Prix du Roman de l''Académie française A tribute to George Orwell''s dystopian classic 1984 and a cry of protest against totalitarianism of all kinds, Boualem Sansal''s 2084 tells the story of a near future in which religious extremists have established a caliphate that forbids autonomous thought. In the year 2084, in the kingdom of Abistan—named after the prophet Abi, earthly messenger of the god Yölah—citizens submit to a single god, demonstrating their devotion by kneeling in prayer nine times a day. Remembering the past is forbidden, and an omnipresent surveillance system instantly informs the authorities of every deviant act, thought, or idea. The kingdom is blessed and its citizens are happy, filled with purpose and piety. Those who are not—the heretics—are put to death by stoning or beheading in city squares.