Henry Denton is periodically abducted by slug-like aliens who present him with a red button and a deadline. He has 144 days to decide whether to press it and save Earth from total destruction or let the world end. This ultimatum unfolds while Henry grapples with the recent suicide of his boyfriend, Jesse, a strained relationship with his mother and pregnant brother, and a secret sexual entanglement with a popular school bully. As he collects evidence of humanity’s worth, Henry struggles with nihilism and the physical reality of his grief.
This book serves readers who appreciate dark contemporary fiction that uses science fiction elements to dissect depression and teenage agency. It appeals to those interested in how individuals assign meaning to life when faced with trauma and a sense of cosmic insignificance. The reader walks away with a perspective on personal choice and the idea that while the universe is indifferent, humans have the capacity to choose survival even when a positive outcome is not guaranteed.
Inward-looking; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2016
- Language
- EN
