Cover Image: Suicide Club

Suicide Club

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Society works towards making immortality a reality. But in order to do that, they focus on the people who are most likely to succeed with preferential treatment to those who exhibit whatever characteristics they think will let them live the longest. As with any society, there are those who become disillusioned with this lifestyle (and seriously, sipping dinner like it's a Capri Sun?) and choose to kill themselves. With the high tech supplements and enhancements, this isn't as easy as one might think. I only gave the book 3 stars because while the development of the main character was done very well, most other characters were left at a superficial level. My other disappointment was the lack of subterfuge. I expected a bit more espionage and disobedience. It all felt very tame. A bit too cultured for a dystopian look at a perfect future.

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"Brave New World." "Soylent Green." "Thelma and Louise." All of these - and a couple more classics - popped into my head as I read this mesmerizing debut novel. More to the point, if I were given the chance to live for hundreds of years - most of them sans anything I now consider fun to do, eat or wear - would I want it? Now that I've finished this book, I'm still not totally sure, but I've sure got plenty of considerations to factor into my decision (and a doggone good story to illustrate them).

The setting is New York City sometime in the future, when research has found ways for people to live to 100 and far beyond. Those "Lifers" - chosen mostly according to genetic tests - get regular "maintenance" and replacement parts, like fake but realistic skin, blood and internal organs. They also must follow strict and ever-changing dictums; they cannot, for instance, eat bacon or open windows because doing these things might be detrimental to their well-being. Now, these Lifers are looking forward to the Third Wave, when those selected to be on The List will receive updates that will allow them to live to 300.

Two of these Lifers are Lea and Anja; Lea is about 80 years old and Anja is just over 100. Lea, whose mother died not too long ago, enjoys super success in her career (her father left the family years ago). Anja is caring for her 150-year-old mother, who remains alive - if one could call it that - only because her fake parts are still working (but they're starting to wear out). Anja is also a somewhat reluctant member of the Suicide Club, a group of Lifers who have come to reject the concept of extreme longevity and at some point commit suicide to escape both the fakeness of their bodies and the absence of a truly enjoyable life.

Quite unexpectly, Lea's idyllic existence gets a jolt. Hit by a car when she veers off the standard walking path to chase a man she thinks is her long-disappeared father, she finds herself constantly monitored by the "Observers," who believe she was attempting suicide - a no-no for anyone who aspires to be named to The List. Since her father is an outcast from the utopian society in which she thrives, she dare not tell the truth - that she was trying to reach him and simply not paying attention to her surroundings.

The future of her perfect life now in limbo, Lea tries to prove she's still worthy of The List. She's also been ordered to group therapy sessions, and it is here that she meets Anja, who works with "Sub-100s" - the folks who didn't qualify for replacement parts and will die naturally of old age. Still looking for ways to redeem herself, Lea goes to a meeting of the Suicide Club, where she sees not only Anja, but someone else who's very special to her.

Even if it didn't touch on touchy subjects like engineered humans and euthanasia, this would be a wonderful book simply because of the characters. They're real, they question life and don't always get the answers they seek. But raising those issues makes it even more meaningful; as the characters try to deal with them, readers must do the same (and I admit I didn't come away with conclusive answers). All told, this is a totally engrossing, powerful story I highly recommend, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.

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How would you like to live 300 years or …..forever? In Heng’s “Suicide Club,” dying is illegal. Lea Kirino is a Lifer and 100 years old. Because of her genetic pedigree, she could receive life-prolonging treatments and her life extended indefinitely. But Lea’s father suddenly appears after 88 years of avoiding the family and she discovers the “suicide club.” Thus, begins her dilemma. What is truly important in living life? Heng’s novel conjures up more questions than answers. Thought provoking.

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This book reminds me of the book 1984 set in an undetermined time in the future. The premise sounded greaet, so I had high expectations of it. I was disappointed though. The book never said how this "world" came about, or anything else about it really. I wanted to find out how everything had changed, not just the people and the ministry they were all reuired to have allegiance to. The characters didn't have much depth and the plot never seemed to really evolve.

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[Review will be posted on Reader Voracious Blog on 7/5/18.]

"Something has to change. In being robbed of our deaths, we are robbed of our lives."
Suicide Club is a chilling tale of a near-future dystopia where population decline has led to strict Sanctity of Life laws and systems to extend life ever longer. Poetically written, Heng weaves a dystopian nightmare that is plausible; however, I struggled to connect to the story as I had expected to and was left wanting much more.

The novel takes place in a New York City that closely resembles modern day, which both adds to the fear of this potential reality as well as creates a dissonance between the futuristic technologies that are not really explained. There is a lot of jargon used that did not seem to be explained, which I found to be distracting - like DiamondSkin is something that I should be intimately aware of, or that a Tender is something that I personally understand.

Suicide Club is told in two alternating points of view, something that I didn't realize right away. I found myself confusing backstories and just being confused until I went back and re-read. I love dual-POVs done well, but I struggle when the narrative shift isn't clearly notated and the perspectives bleed together. The first 20% of the book or so recalls the back histories of the two main characters and I struggled keeping everything straight.

I found myself not really caring much about the characters in the beginning of the book, although by the end I did care a bit for Lea and Anja. For me, the story was lacking in explanation of what steps led the population to this point, the political Ministry and its purpose left largely unexplored. With comparisons to Margaret Atwood, I found this to be particularly disappointing as I find Atwood's writing to be largely about the political systems as well as the system's impact on the central characters. I can see what Heng was trying to emulate, but for me it missed the mark.
"Someone once said that death was the best invention life had to offer."
In my opinion, the overall story would have been stronger if the beginning of the novel spent a bit of time directly exploring the political climate, explaining what it meant to be a lifer or antisanc, how the tests at birth and the numbers play into the scheme of things. I found a lot of compellingly interesting tidbits about society that weren't explored. What is causing the population decline, what is the history of the Replacement business, why all the laws about taking care of yourself? Why the Lists and WeCovery? In a world where suicide is a sin and used as a form of civil disobedience, I feel that answering some of these questions would have strengthened the narrative. I found the lack of worldbuilding in a near-future dystopia to be the main reason that I struggled to connect with the story, and I was left wanting more.

I found Suicide Club to be an interesting and innovative premise, Heng writes with lyrical prose and I look forward to reading her future work and seeing her develop as a writer. This is more of a story about family and choice and less about the dystopian world. I think readers who are interested in family dynamics and the personal story of the characters will enjoy this book, but those who are looking for a dystopian thriller with political intrigue may be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Henry Holt & Company, for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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I received this as an ARC from #Netgalley, #TheSuicideClub. This is set in the near future where people, with the coming of the Third Wave, can achieve immortality. Some, however, want to live, and die, on their terms. The Suicide Club, helps them achieve this. However, when Lea sees her father, for the first time in 88 years, she steps into traffic and is put under observation to make sure she qualifies for the Third Wave. This book’s ending was not what I was expecting. Also the death of Anja’s mother didn’t seem to fit with the rest of the book.

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Interesting premise and a couple of good characters, and it's unpredictable, but mainly because of inconsistency in plot and world-building, and characters act illogically most of the time.

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Thank you for the opportunity to read this book, it took me a while to get into it.. It was okay , the plot concept was a new one for me, but the characters made it not work for me.

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I’m all over the place with this book! It’s a solid debut and well-written, and the plot itself is right up my alley. I’m a real sucker for dystopian fiction and will always jump on anything that is slightly “future world but end of the worldesque”. I just didn’t really connect to Suicide Club. I finished it because I wanted to see what happened in the end, but if I’m completely honest I wasn’t all that bothered.

The book takes place in a future NYC where people are divided into “Lifers” (those whose number at birth allows them to take advantage of different advanced technologies and treatments to live way beyond a hundred years while remaining young) and “sub 100’s” (those who will live their lives as we do today). Everything revolves around the Lifers, and sub 100’s are relegated to areas outside cities, and the populations don’t really mix. It’s basically segregation of the immortal and the mortal, rich and poor, those who “value life” and those who prefer to live life.

Suicide Club’s main characters, Lea and Anja, are both Lifers, but disenchanted with their lives. Or they seem to be. I don’t know, I couldn’t connect to either of them, their minds narrowed by a life of routine and privilege, a privilege that is easily ripped away if you stray outside the lines. The only character I actually really liked was Kaito, Lea’s father. Everyone else was a bit bland and boring. Maybe it was Rachel Heng’s style, maybe on purpose, I’m not sure.

Suicide Club is not a bad book at all, and I’m sure others will love it. I’m glad I read it, but it won’t leave me with a lasting impression. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!

(I love the cover of the novel, combined with the plot description it would an immediate buy for me in a book store).

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I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and the discussion of our bodies reaching immortality. However, as often happens when the author creates an entire new world, I was left longing for some additional explanation. I would have liked to know more about babies - it mentions that babies are rare, but doesn’t say why, or why the government decided to focus on extending current lives rather than creating new ones. I also couldn’t understand why some were selected to live longer than others.

Aside from my questions about this setting, I did enjoy the story. I almost wish the author would have focused on one character rather than splitting the book between Anja and Lea. I questioned some of Anja’s decisions at the end, and her part felt a little rushed.

Overall, I would recommend to fans of dystopian novels, but this might not be the best iteration of that.

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In the future, genetic testing at birth determines who gets to extend their life via special medical procedures and maintenance. Lea is a “lifer,” striving to be one of the first chosen for the Third Wave, which basically equals immortality. Lea does everything right, but seeing her estranged (and assumed deceased) father puts her future in jeopardy.

I liked the premise of this novel, and Lea’s difficulty in reconciling her past with the safe existence of lifers. I liked Anja even more, a violinist lifer who doesn’t share the same financial luxuries, or rose-colored outlook.

Unfortunately, I’m a character driven reader, and I couldn’t completely empathize with Lea. There are events in her life that are disturbing, and I don’t think that enough time on the page is spent on them. I felt more for Anja, but found it frustrating that the two main characters spent most of the novel avoiding one another. This also made the ending a bit unbelievable, at least for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc.

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Interesting premise of a future society but quite depressing. The characters were not particularly likeable except for Kaito.

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I love dystopian fiction but since Brave New World is my standard, most novels have a hard time living up to Huxley's brilliance. But I really enjoyed this debut as it shows a world not actually too difficult to envision in the future as longevity is possible with injections of synthetic blood and skin that heals itself immediately. Lea is 100 years old (but could pass for 50) as she lives by their motto, "Healthy mind, healthy body" and eats no meat, dairy, or any carbs. When her father resurfaces after having disappeared 80 years ago, her world is turned upside down as the Ministry believes she needs "therapy" after believing she attempted to harm herself when she is startled and inadvertently steps into the path of an oncoming car when she sees him. And so begins the idea of disparity in this world--the "lifers" who will live a very long time, and those who may choose the Suicide Club as a way to have control over their own lives (and deaths). This novel deals with many issues to contemplate: suicide, euthanasia, choice, standards of beauty, and basic humanity in a society that can "guarantee" perfection. It's a very thought-provoking read and will most likely take the summer by storm!

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Imagine living forever or perhaps almost to age 200? That's what happens in the future: when you are born with a number that determines how long you will live.

In this future society however there is an organization called the Suicide Club. The club is for those that want to kill themselves; they don't want to be kept alive by regenerated blood and mechanical parts.

Lea is a lifer, at age 100. After losing an older brother many years ago: he was what was known as a sub 100.

Her father disappeared after his son died and suddenly he reappears in Lea's life.

A man in formal dress is seen on a videotape swallowing alcohol and then lighting a match to his tongue. This is the only way possible to kill yourself.

Lea meets Anja whose mother is being kept alive by a mechanical heart which beats for her. Anja becomes the head of the Suicide Club and members come to her to see if she will help them die.

Lifers diets are regulated: no meats and low sugar. Exercise no longer occurs bedause diet as well ass exercise can deduct from your years. Imagine 2 people sharing a carrot and considering it a rare treat due to its sugar content.

Instead of generations each succeeding "family" member is known as first generation, Second Wave and soon Third Wave which is being heralded as offering immortality.

Lea and Anja become close as they each seek a way to help their parent end their life. In Lea's case it is her father who wants to die. In Anja's situation it is her mother.

Lea realizes that perhaps she doesn't want to live out her days in a regimented fashion.

An interesting concept: living well into your 100's or perhaps immortality.

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While I am normally a fan of sci-fi (especially dystopian) novels, "Suicide Club" just didn't do it for me. The character development was lacking, the plot didn't hold my interest, and the writing just felt stilted and plodding.

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I wanted to tell you thank you for allowing me to read this before the publication date. This is the first book I’ve read from this author.

I loved the concept. It was inventive, emotionally dark and captured the thought of what if, in my head. The brutal honesty of the book got to me.

I’d recommend anyone to read this book. It will open a gateway you might not know exists in your head and heart.

I will be looking forward to her next book. I was provided this ARC for an honest review.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For a debut, it has certainly been one of my favorite books of the "summer" so far. I loved this premise from the get-go, because as with all societies that have a "normalcy" (in this case living 300+ years and achieving immortality, there are rebels (those that choose to live and die on their time and agenda). I loved this concept, and paired with the characters and the writing, this book soared in my heart as a 2018 favorite.

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Unfortunately, this book landed on my DNF shelf. I really liked the concept of the novel, but could not for the life of me get into the book and ended up putting it down.

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Of course we all want to live as long as we can, being as healthy as we can and able to enjoy our time on Earth. What if science and medicine in the future could extend your life for hundreds of years? Would it be worth losing your soul, your privacy and your individuality in the quest to live longer? Are you really living if “defective” body parts can be replaced, you need constant “tweaking” and even the thought of breaking a sweat could be “damaging?”

What if you decided you wanted to end your life, on your terms, and it isn’t allowed? Rachel Heng’s SUICIDE CLUB is a dark and gritty tale of a dystopian future world where genetic perfection is the ideal, but the loss of freedom of choice is brutal, because one never knows who is watching, who might hear and who may turn you in as imperfect.

Lea will have to choose between merely existing, potentially forever or learning how to experience life with all of its warts, darkness and real joys. Will she choose life on her own terms or will she become a sheep in the masses?

Emotionally dark and heavy, sometimes dragging along, I have to say, it was the ending that made the book for me! It was beautiful.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Henry Holt & Co.

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (July 10, 2018)
Publication Date: July 10, 2018
Genre: Scifi | Dystopian
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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*This book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This is a science fiction book set in a dystopian world in which some people are born with genes which allow them to live much longer than our current life expectancy. Those who have this gene abnormality succumb to treatments and procedures which further extend a person's life. This, combined with an excessively healthy lifestyle, is leading to humans potentially achieving immortality. Out protagonist is Lea, who is well on her way to becoming one of the first people to be allowed the treatments that will allow her to be immortal. Our other protagonist is Anja, who was born with this gene but rejects societies obsession with immortality.

This book touches on many themes, such as, suicide; control; quality of life; extreme lifestyles; as well as others. This is a pretty basic run down of the plot, there are a lot more elements that add to the overall story but I will not mentioning them in order to avoid spoilers.

I really enjoyed all the underlying themes of this book, however, the plot itself did not seem to have a clear direction. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. It made very difficult to guess what the outcome would be, but at some points the plot just seemed aimless rather than mysterious. My favorite thing about this book was all the underlying themes. I enjoyed the sort of parody of an extreme healthy lifestyle where people are so obsessed with living as healthily as possibly in order to prolong their lives' that they don't actually enjoy their lives. I also enjoyed the overall message about allowing people to control their own lives' despite whether or not they are living it in a way that is considered suitable. I enjoyed this style of writing as well, although the transitions from one scene to another were a bit stilted.
As far as science fiction is concerned, this idea was unique and interesting. The only thing that let it down was the plot. The characters were alright, neither terrible nor exceptional.

Overall, this was a decent book. I would recommend it if you generally enjoy science fiction and find the plot intriguing. It was a good quick read.

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