Buddha Reads: Lock In by John Scalzi

On Sunday, March 3rd, the Buddha Reads book club gathered to discuss the novel, "Lock In" by John Scalzi. This book delves into two genres: science fiction and detective fiction. The premise revolves around a global viral pandemic that leaves approximately 1% of the population in a state of lock-in. These individuals, referred to as Hadens in the novel, remain fully conscious but are unable to move or respond to stimuli, resembling the real-life condition known as locked-in syndrome. Set 25 years after the pandemic, the lockin individuals can now interact with the outside world using robotic bodies. The protagonist, Chris Shane, is a Haden and a rookie FBI agent. The storyline also unfolds as a mystery when a Haden is implicated in a brutal murder, leading Agent Shane and her partner Leslie Vann to investigate the case. The characters, particularly Agent Shane as the enthusiastic newcomer and Agent Vann as the seasoned veteran, are portrayed uniquely.

Participants in the discussion included Bob, Linda, Joan, Gary, and Danny. Overall, everyone enjoyed the book, with Bob even finishing it in just two days. Linda noted the relevance of certain aspects, such as the pandemic and technological advancements, which paralleled the current COVID-19 situation despite the book being published in 2014. Gary also acknowledged the level of technology depicted in the story, which resonated with present-day advancements. While the narrative was well-paced, the abundance of characters sometimes necessitated flipping back through the pages to recall their identities. Additionally, there was a significant amount of technical jargon that Danny appreciated, although it posed a challenge for some other readers.

"Lock In" succeeds as a science fiction narrative by shedding light on issues prevalent in our contemporary society. Themes such as socioeconomic disparities, government assistance, and the notion of secondclass citizens among the Hadens sparked meaningful discussions during our meeting.

Looking ahead, the Buddha Reads book club's next selection is "The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder" by David Grann. The title itself hints at the intriguing content awaiting readers. We invite everyone to join us on Sunday, April 7th at 5:00 PM for our discussion of this gripping novel.