My Only Boy by Rosa Rankin-Gee review
A surprising romance is set against a backdrop of climate crisis, political instability and corporate corruption in this bleak but witty novel
TL;DR
- The novel portrays a near-future England with a far-right populist government, worsening climate conditions, and a dominant gig economy.
- Elle, the protagonist, works for Gigr, a company that exploits vulnerable individuals by offering low-paid work through algorithms.
- A central plot involves the confusing romance between Elle and Ed, a newly successful gay author, which includes unexpected heterosexual experiences.
- The narrative explores themes of corporate and government corruption, labor law violations, and the psychological toll of living in a desperate society.
- The writing style is characterized by wit, brittleness, and dark humor, with a first-person perspective from Elle that challenges the reader's sympathy.
- The novel explores the moral compromises characters make to survive and cope with societal decay.