The fifth sacred thing

I really enjoyed this. It was seriously depressing from about half way through but all together a great read. It took a darn long time to make it through to the finish but, nearing the end, I couldn’t put it down. (review from my personal notes from Jan 2023)

The title of this review is a little tongue in cheek, as this is definitely speculative fiction. However, I do think that this book is required reading for people who like eco-fiction, solarpunk, and yes, anarcho-pacifism. This book doesn't shy away from asking the hard questions about being pacifistic in a post-apocalyptic climate ravaged world, and yet still comes to the conclusion that pacifism is a goal and an organizational strategy worth pursuing. Interestingly, it also doesn't fully condemn violent resistance and acknowledges that there is still a place for that, just that pacifism is the strategy that the main characters and their community think is best. If you are in any way interested in climate fiction, solarpunk fiction, or anti-capitalism of any form, do yourself a favour and read this book.