The Getaway

Flipping crazy!!! Needed more narratives, but pleasantly disturbing nonetheless.

I was a bit all-over-the-place with this one. At first, I wasn't into the "YA-ness" of it. But since this was a book club selection, I couldn't exactly DNF. The more I got into the story, the less distracted I was by it's "YA-ness". It's got a lot going on once you get past the first few chapters. There's a bit of everything for dystopian, socio-political, horror fans. In no particular order, there's classism/elitism, systemic racism, excessive (almost gluttonous) capitalism/consumerism, propaganda, greed, power struggle/revolt/resistance/up-rising, colorism and post-colonial trauma. Oh, and it's sprinkled with some violence (beware if that is triggering...). Told from multiple POVs, the story centers around an amusement park/resort owned and operated by a powerful family. Four teens are connected in different ways to the park. At first, everything seems normal; perfect even. But when one of the four and her family disappear, the seeming perfection of the park begins to peel away. What is revealed is a sinister plot to cleanse society with the capital being the park. But who is the bad guy? What are people willing to do to get ahead? To survive? Those who like The Handmaid's Tale, 1984, Animal Farm, or Westworld may find this to be a page-turner.