Introducing Where Liberty Lies
They say writing a book is like having a child. You give birth to an idea, nurture it, shape its character and then release it on the world, hoping others will be kind and considerate to it (sorry, couldn’t manage a nappy changing analogy in there). Well, let me introduce you to my youngest, Where Liberty Lies. Do be gentle.
It follows on from Liberty Bound (LB), my speculative fiction/dystopian novel from 2020 and is second in what I’m calling the Liberty Trilogy. There was a touch of the saga about LB: a journey towards freedom in a world of physical, social and mental barriers. This lends itself nicely to a sequel, with the journey continuing for our heroes, Finbarl, Aminatra and Karlmon. LB was deliberately claustrophobic, a world encircled by desert, savages and mountains. For Where Liberty Lies I open up the world, lessening the physical challenges of a new land over the mountain range. I’ve broadened the stage, adding dynamics not unfamiliar to the classical Greek era of city states. There was something family/sibling-like in the ancient states’ behaviour: competitive, squabbling most of the time, diverging in their ways when given their independence but with a common history and bond, coming together to fight the Persians when necessary. I’ve named my ‘country’ of city states Taliphia.
For the town of Athenia in LB, they believed themselves to be alone, the last civilisation on earth, and this shaped their way of life and beliefs. That myth was shattered and proof indeed lies in what Finbarl and co discover in Taliphia. So, how do the people of Taliphia fit into the world? Like Athenia, their ancestors reached a nadir with civilisation collapsing in a resource-starved and hotter world. Rather than cling to the past, however, they chose to start afresh, retaining only knowledge that they felt benefitted humanity, discarding all that had brought the planet to ruin. Like all well-meaning philosophies, time and difference of opinion eroded their unity and groups broke out on their own, establishing the city states, forgetting earlier principles, adapting to the challenge of survival. This rivalry slowly fostered improvements, every city striving to be dominant, until their individual characters bore no resemblance to either their past or their neighbours. It also brought conflict, a vice rediscovered after deemed a culprit in the planet’s fate.
I fear this scenario is closer to humanity’s nature than the utopian dream of peace. We’re inherently a selfish species, all species are, and while our inner will beats to the rhythm of survival, we are prone to express it consciously through all manner of behaviours. And where selfishness resides, you’ll often find a lie kicking about. So while LB was an allegorical study of fear and ignorance, Where Liberty Lies, explores the lies and illusions that shape a world and its citizens, no less allegorical.
You’ll find subtler misinformation littered through your life. Where is the torturous wait at an airport in the TV series you watch or the incontinent character? The media presents a particular version of the world to us so that we feel entertained. A politician won’t tell you a straight answer because the ‘truth’ is ammunition for their rivals. Every religion will tell you theirs is the truth. My train company are bringing in a new timetable to reflect the ‘changing world’ and the way we work or, alternatively, they’re cutting essential services to save money. Have you ever told a friend you weren’t available due to illness when you just want a quiet night in. And finally, an author may use artistic license to spice up their tale - guilty m’lud! Everywhere there are half-truths, misdirection, outright lies or evasion of the truth and we tend to turn a blind eye if it doesn’t impact directly on us, because we feel helpless or sometimes because it benefits us. Finbarl, Aminatra and Karlmon face their own world of doubtful integrity but at least they don’t have train companies to worry about!
Where Liberty Lies will be published early in 2023.
Nathaniel M Wrey