A Dystopian Masterpiece for Our Time
In an era where climate change looms large and societal divisions deepen, John Larison’s “The Ancients” emerges as a powerful, thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s capacity for survival and reinvention. This sweeping dystopian epic, set in a future world ravaged by environmental catastrophe, weaves together three distinct narratives that ultimately converge in a struggle for the future of our species. Larison, known for his acclaimed novel “Whiskey When We’re Dry,” once again demonstrates his gift for crafting richly imagined worlds and complex characters that linger in the mind long after the final page.
A Tapestry of Survival
The Children of the Coast
At the heart of “The Ancients” by John Larison lies the story of Leerit, Maren, and Kushim—three siblings suddenly orphaned in an abandoned fishing village. Their journey across a treacherous wilderness in search of their people forms the emotional core of the novel. Larison’s depiction of their struggle is both harrowing and deeply moving, capturing the fierce bond between siblings and the resilience of youth in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The Captive Mother
Parallel to the children’s journey, we follow the plight of their mother, Lilah, captured by raiders and delivered to a dying port city. Her determination to escape and reunite with her family drives a tension-filled narrative that exposes the brutal realities of a world where humanity’s worst impulses have been unleashed. Lilah’s storyline offers a searing critique of exploitation and the commodification of human life.
The Scholar’s Dilemma
The third strand of the narrative centers on Cyrus, a young scholar who inherits his father’s position of privilege in the last bastion of the old empire. As the elite prepare to flee to a supposed utopia across the sea, Cyrus grapples with questions of loyalty, morality, and the true meaning of civilization. His storyline provides a fascinating exploration of power, knowledge, and the weight of history.
A World Transformed
Larison’s world-building is nothing short of exceptional. The post-apocalyptic landscape he conjures is vivid and terrifyingly plausible—a world of shifting sands, rising seas, and the remnants of a civilization in decline. Yet amidst the desolation, there are moments of breathtaking beauty and glimpses of nature’s resilience. The author’s background as a fly-fishing and whitewater guide shines through in his evocative descriptions of the natural world.
Climate Change as Character
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its treatment of climate change not merely as a backdrop, but as a character in its own right. The ever-shifting environment drives the plot and shapes the characters’ choices in profound ways. Larison avoids heavy-handed moralizing, instead allowing the altered world to speak for itself, challenging readers to confront the consequences of our current path.
Themes of Resilience and Rebirth
The Cyclical Nature of History
“The Ancients” by John Larison is deeply concerned with the cyclical nature of human history. Through its intertwining narratives, the novel suggests that civilizations rise and fall, but humanity endures. This theme is reinforced by the presence of ancient artifacts and half-remembered stories that hint at previous cycles of collapse and renewal.
The Power of Stories
A recurring motif throughout the novel is the importance of storytelling as a means of preserving knowledge, culture, and hope. The characters cling to old tales and create new ones, using narrative as a tool for survival and a bridge between past and future generations.
Adaptation and Evolution
Larison’s characters are constantly forced to adapt to their changing world, both physically and psychologically. This emphasis on adaptability serves as a powerful metaphor for our own need to evolve in the face of global challenges.
Masterful Prose and Pacing
Larison’s prose is a thing of beauty—lyrical yet precise, capable of rendering both sweeping vistas and intimate moments with equal skill. His background in classical mythology infuses the narrative with a timeless quality, elevating the story beyond mere post-apocalyptic fiction.
The pacing of “The Ancients” by John Larison is particularly noteworthy. Despite its epic scope, the novel never feels sluggish. Larison deftly balances action, introspection, and world-building, creating a narrative that is both propulsive and deeply immersive.
Characters That Haunt and Inspire
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its richly drawn characters. From the determined Leerit to the conflicted Cyrus, each protagonist is complex and fully realized. Even secondary characters are given depth and agency, contributing to the novel’s exploration of human nature in extremis.
Standout Character: Lilah
While all the main characters are compelling, Lilah’s journey from captive to leader is particularly powerful. Her transformation embodies the novel’s themes of resilience and the strength found in community.
A Nuanced Approach to Dystopia
Unlike many works in the dystopian genre, “The Ancients” resists easy categorization of heroes and villains. Larison presents a world of moral ambiguity, where survival often requires difficult choices. This nuanced approach adds depth to the narrative and invites readers to grapple with complex ethical questions.
Comparisons and Literary Context
Readers familiar with Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” or Emily St. John Mandel’s “Station Eleven” will find similar themes of survival and hope in “The Ancients.” However, Larison’s novel stands apart in its multi-generational scope and its focus on climate change as the primary catalyst for societal collapse.
Echoes of Larison’s Earlier Work
Fans of Larison’s previous novel, “Whiskey When We’re Dry,” will recognize his talent for creating strong, complex female characters and his ability to blend gritty realism with moments of lyrical beauty. However, “The Ancients” by John Larison represents a significant evolution in scope and ambition.
Minor Critiques
While “The Ancients” is a triumph overall, there are moments where the multiple storylines can feel slightly disjointed. Some readers may find themselves more invested in certain narratives than others. Additionally, the novel’s open-ended conclusion, while thematically appropriate, may leave some yearning for more concrete resolution.
A Visionary Work for Our Times
“The Ancients” by John Larison is more than just a dystopian novel—it’s a meditation on the resilience of the human spirit and the cyclical nature of civilization. Larison has crafted a work that is at once a warning and a beacon of hope, challenging readers to consider our place in the long arc of history and our responsibility to future generations.
Why It Matters Now
In an age of climate anxiety and societal upheaval, “The Ancients” offers a unique perspective on our potential futures. It reminds us of our capacity for adaptation and the enduring power of community in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Final Verdict
John Larison’s “The Ancients” is a remarkable achievement—a novel that is both timely and timeless. With its compelling characters, masterful prose, and profound exploration of humanity’s relationship with the natural world, it stands as one of the most thought-provoking works of dystopian fiction in recent years.
This is a book that will haunt you, challenge you, and ultimately inspire you. It’s a must-read for anyone concerned with the future of our planet and our species. Larison has established himself as a visionary voice in contemporary literature, and “The Ancients” is sure to be discussed and debated for years to come.
