"Blind Faith" by Ben Elton

Imagine a world in which global warming has reached such serious proportions that man can no longer wear any but the skimpiest of clothing. A world in which humankind has rejected vaccination as a dangerous procedure which is no longer legal, exposing children to dread diseases which are uncommon in the world as we know it. A world in which fifty percent of children die before the age of five.

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Imagine a world in which the use of social media is no longer a mere obsession but has become a legal obligation. A world in which it is essential to post videos of every aspect of your private life, even the birth of your children. A world in which the desire for privacy is a crime.

This is the world of Ben Elton's Blind Faith.

Despite the fact that this is the only world Trafford Sewell has ever known, he wants more from life. Initially his defiance consists of little things like keeping his dreams secret "in order to enjoy the sensual pleasure of having a secret."

Then comes the fatal day when a work colleague approaches him with an offer to get his baby daughter vaccinated. Having already lost one young child, Trafford is desperate to give this baby the best chance of survival so, while he is aware that the consequences will be dire if he is caught, he agrees to the procedure.

Once he has committed this crime, further acts of defiance are inevitable.

It's been many years since I read George Orwell's 1984 and my memory of the story is rather hazy, but this book feels like 1984 re-imagined for a future based on a way of life that Orwell couldn't possibly have imagined.

The world of Blind Faith is inhabited mainly by unappealing characters, totally lacking in sincerity. The events that take place often feel completely absurd. And yet, when I think about the way many young people behave today, I can't help feeling that we're headed down the path to a similar and equally horrible future.

This book is a thought-provoking read. In Trafford Sewell's world, reading it would be a crime.