The New City: A Novel

Doing a little research, I was able to learn that the author grew up in a planned city. It is fascinating to watch any experiment in sociological change be imposed from outside, by those who know better, and by those who feel that they can tell people what is good for them.
In this case, a commercial developer invites willing participants to get involved. Their eagerness to accept the deal itself, as well as all the premises behind it so eloquently spoken by its promoter, Austin Swope, is demonstrated by the prospects putting up the money to get a spot in a house in the new community.
Just as indicated in the Amazon reviews, outside reality invades and shows that no community is immune from the outside world, even if it is gated, or built show more on the suburbs, as a way from getting away from the rot or decay of older areas.
Moral of story: sure, build a new community, but do not pretend that the outside problems will just go away. They will not. Try instead to find some way of addressing them properly before, during and after when you are building your new community.
Humans are notably blind to all of these wise considerations, and hubris is what we all share. The teaching contained in the novel might help some of us to avoid stupidity when we encounter similar situations in our own futures.
As a reader not living in the United States, I am fascinated by novels like this one, providing as they do a window to look in from the outside. Very enjoyable.
Have also read Human Capital by this author; will try to review later. show less