Who Would Like This Book:
Claire G. Coleman delivers a chillingly relevant dystopian novel that's equal parts page-turner and thought-provoking parable. Enclave is perfect for fans of speculative fiction that tackles big social issues - think Margaret Atwood, Octavia Butler, or anyone who loves a mix of action, atmosphere, and societal critique. Coleman's prose is sharp and poetic, her world-building is unsettlingly close to our own, and the story is driven by compelling, fully-realized characters. If you love a book that makes you question the status quo - and makes you wish it lasted twice as long - this one’s for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers might find Enclave a little too on-the-nose with its messaging or may wish the supporting characters were more fleshed out. If you like your dystopias with a heavy dose of escapism, or you prefer subtlety over direct confrontation of issues like race, privilege, and climate change, this book’s candid approach might not be your thing. Additionally, those looking for a long, sprawling narrative may feel let down by its concise length and fast pacing.
About:
Enclave by Claire G. Coleman presents a dystopian future that closely mirrors current societal issues. The story revolves around 21-year-old Christine, who lives in Safetown, a walled community that represents a chilling vision of privilege and oppression. As she navigates life within this controlled environment, she grapples with the suffocating surveillance and strict societal rules. The plot intensifies when Christine falls in love with Sienna, a servant from the marginalized outside world, leading to her exile from Safetown. This journey exposes her to the harsh realities beyond the Wall, forcing her to confront her privilege and question the system she once accepted.
Coleman's writing style is both evocative and engaging, blending poetic prose with fast-paced, thrilling sequences. The narrative is marked by a blend of familiar and futuristic elements, capturing the reader's attention while addressing pressing social issues such as racism, homophobia, and climate crisis. The characters, particularly Christine, experience significant personal growth, though some supporting characters may feel underdeveloped. Overall, Enclave serves as a powerful reflection on society, urging readers to consider the importance of connection and understanding in a world often driven by fear and division.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Enclave include themes of racism, homophobia, transphobia, and psychological distress.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance in Enclave, primarily centered around the relationship between Christine and Sienna.
From The Publisher:
LONGLISTED FOR THE MILES FRANKLIN LITERARY AWARD 2023
'These are troubling times. The world is a dangerous place,' the voice of the Chairman said. 'I can continue to assure you of this: within the Wall you are perfectly safe.'
Christine could not sleep, she could not wake, she could not think. She stared, half-blind, at the cold screen of her smartphone. She was told the Agency was keeping them safe from the dangers outside, an outside world she would never see.
She never imagined questioning what she was told, what she was allowed to know, what she was permitted to think. She never even thought there were questions to ask.
The enclave was the only world she knew, the world outside was not safe. Staying or leaving was not a choice she had the power to make. But then Christine dared start thinking . . . and from that moment, danger was everywhere.
In our turbulent times, Claire G. Coleman's Enclave is a powerful dystopian allegory that confronts the ugly realities of racism, homophobia, surveillance, greed and privilege and the self-destructive distortions that occur when we ignore our shared humanity.
'A brilliant, engrossing, necessary read' COURIER MAIL
'Much of this novel feels frighteningly plausible ... Coleman's world shimmers on the page like a heat haze' ARTS HUB
'If you liked Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale or Charlotte Woods' The Natural Way of Things, this one is clearly for you' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
'The book holds up a thoughtful mirror showing us to ourselves using an all too real future' KILL YOUR DARLINGS
'Enclave is a novel that inclines towards hope ... offers us an alternative: a world in which people, in meeting the demands of the present with curiosity, courage and conviction, can bring about a more just and inclusive future' NEW DAILY
'Coleman can turn a deft phrase ... She writes a mean chase sequence, ramping up the suspense when she wants, with fight scenes and great narrative propulsion' THE AGE
'Coleman offers an urgent critique of bigotry and, implicitly, of colonialism, writing with conviction about the ways technology can be misused by those in power, but also how it might be deployed for good. Indeed, despite its dystopian tenor, Enclave is ultimately a hopeful novel, and one which suggests it is far from futile to aspire to a better future' MANJIMUP-BRIDGETOWN TIMES
'If Margaret Atwood's dystopian Handmaid's Tale ignited a spark, you'll rip through Claire Coleman's new novel like a forest fire' MARIE CLAIRE
'She is toying with the canon, but also placing menacing signposts of the unsustainability of the settlement's brutal, exclusionary politics. Enclave is a clarion shout against demonising the unfamiliar, and the temptation to withdraw into a bubble' THE GUARDIAN
What can you read after
Enclave?
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