Make Room! Make Room!

Harry Harrison

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overpopulation consequences

dystopian new york city

resource scarcity

bleak writing style

social commentary

characters struggling to survive

murder investigation in dystopia

environmental degradation

slow pacing and societal issues

decaying society

science fiction social critique

Who Would Like This Book:

Dive into a gritty, claustrophobic vision of near-future New York: overpopulated, chaotic, and barely holding together. What makes "Make Room! Make Room!" stand out isn’t just its famous connection to Soylent Green, but its eerily prescient warning about unchecked population growth and resource scarcity. If you appreciate classic dystopian stories, love world-building with a heavy sense of atmosphere, or enjoy thought-provoking social commentary, this one’s for you. Fans of bleak, realistic futures and social sci-fi in the vein of "1984" or "Stand on Zanzibar" will especially get a lot out of it.

Who May Not Like This Book:

This novel leans heavy on its message, and some readers may find the social commentary too didactic or dated, especially with attitudes and predictions that didn't all play out as feared. The plot meanders, the prose is pretty utilitarian, and female characters in particular are often written with a 60s mindset that feels out of touch now. If you’re hoping for exciting twists, a polished thriller, or something similar to the Soylent Green movie, you may want to temper your expectations.

A downbeat, powerful warning about overpopulation and its consequences - more of a social critique than a fast-paced sci-fi adventure, but still relevant and unsettling. Worth it for dystopia fans who like their fiction with a dose of realism and melancholy.

About:

Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison is a dystopian novel set in a future New York City in 1999 where overpopulation has led to severe shortages of food, water, clothing, and living space. The story follows the lives of various characters, including a detective trying to solve a murder case, against the backdrop of a society in decay due to unchecked population growth and lack of resources. The writing style is described as bleak and realistic, portraying a nightmarish vision of a world packed with people struggling to survive in desperate conditions.

Characters:

Characters depict diverse facets of a decaying society, each symbolizing different responses to desperation brought on by overpopulation and resource scarcity.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is pragmatic and direct, primarily aimed at conveying social commentary rather than crafting elaborate prose.

Plot/Storyline:

The story unfolds in a dystopian New York City facing overpopulation and resource scarcity, centering on characters navigating their struggles while a murder investigation highlights societal breakdown.

Setting:

The setting is a densely populated and dystopian New York City, depicting a grim future fueled by overpopulation and environmental degradation.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberately slow, mirroring the oppressive environment and allowing the weight of societal issues to unfold gradually.

The August sun struck in through the open window and burned on Andrew Rusch’s bare legs until discomfort dragged him awake from the depths of heavy sleep. Only slowly did he become aware of the heat a...

Notes:

Make Room! Make Room! was published in 1966 and set in a future New York City in 1999.

The novel foresees a world suffering from extreme overpopulation with 35 million people in New York alone.

The book explores themes of resource scarcity, poverty, and the consequences of unchecked population growth.

It served as the inspiration for the 1973 film Soylent Green, but the two stories differ significantly.

In the book, 'soylent' refers to a food made from soy and lentils, unlike the film's shocking twist about its ingredients.

Harrison was focused on social and political commentary regarding birth control and population control.

The narrative revolves around a police officer, Andy Rusch, trying to solve a murder amid societal collapse.

The novel addresses the direct relationship between population density and quality of life, showcasing a grim reality where basic needs are scarce.

Many readers find the societal critiques in the book relevant even decades later, particularly regarding environmental concerns and overpopulation.

The writing style of the book is described as straightforward, emphasizing the harsh realities of life in a dystopian society.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains content warnings for themes related to overpopulation, societal collapse, socio-economic disparities, and death.

From The Publisher:

The world is crowded. Far too crowded. Its starving billions live on lentils, soya beans, and -if they're lucky-the odd starving rat.

In a New York City groaning under the burden of 35 million inhabitants, detective Andy Rusch is engaged in a desperate and lonely hunt for a killer everyone has forgotten. For even in a world such as this, a policeman can find himself utterly alone….

Acclaimed on its original publication in 1966, Make Room! Make Room! was adapted into the movie Soylent Green in 1973, starring Charlton Heston along with Edward G. Robinson in his last role.

1966

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288 pages

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About the Author:

Harry Harrison, author of innumerable science fiction novels and stories, divides his time between Ireland and California.

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