A Review of, and Thoughts on, "Lock In" by John Scalzi

Have you ever found an author you enjoy for reasons besides their traditionally published works? Maybe you heard them speak or they have written non-fiction pieces on topics with which you are familiar. Maybe they're funny on Twitter or they represent a particular political or social position that you associate with in your own way. Maybe all of the above. But, of course, it helps that they're an excellent writer to boot, right?

John Scalzi fits this criteria for my reading interests, as well as my personal opinions on topics of social and political relevance. I feel lucky, because I get a lot of good reading out of it. So maybe I read his work with the awareness of his voice and general perspective on the subject matter that he sometimes touches on in his writing. I don't mean to say that I know the guy in any personal way, but in an age of increased exposure to the lives of others that wish to share it, it is hard not to gather even a slight understanding of how someone operates. Scalzi isn't shy, in fact he is quite the opposite. I like that. When the time calls for it, he expresses the necessary no-nonsense stance mixed with the all-important sarcastic humour that I have been drawn to all my life. So, yeah, I have developed somewhat of an awareness. Some would suggest that I enter this article with a bias towards his work. That is understandable because I genuinely like him as an author and a voice for his outward beliefs. However, I would argue that rather than being slanted to promote his work, I suggest that you, too, read his blog, Twitter and other works because it makes his novels that much more enjoyable. You feel like you are a part of something. An inside joke, a secret reference, or perhaps something akin to friendship. You're on the inside. Of course, not everyone agrees with Scalzi, so maybe you won't see eye to eye. Nevertheless, I urge you to pick up one of his books, be it Old Man's War, Android's Dream, (the Hugo Award winning) Redshirts, Lock In or anything else. If you have any interest in science fiction, I'm sure there is something to peak your interest. Even if you're new, there are jumping-on points.

But right now, I would like to move focus to John Scalzi's 2014 book Lock In. It's been over a year since its release, so I'm really revisiting the topic. Scalzi is most famous for the Old Man's War series, which is military science fiction in a future where Humanity has expanded far beyond the reaches of Earth. Many associate Scalzi with this sub-genre, making Lock In a departure from the norm. Lock In is a near-future crime novel, but does not stray from science fiction. In fact, I would hesitate to dismiss the level of science involved in the world created by Scalzi as it relies heavily on the existence of advanced computer technology to the point of merging organic and synthetic brains for the purpose of putting a person's mind in a mechanical body or the body of another human. In addition, Scalzi has employed his knowledge of computer technology and the business of such a field to engulf the reader in a believably realistic future Earth that has become dependent on this market.

To familiarize you a bit, a powerful influenza spread across Earth, developing into a second stage of meningitis, and a third stage of complete paralysis of the nervous system. Not all victims suffered the three stages, 400 million people died and those who survived either maintained control of their body or suffered "lock in" for the remainder of their lives. The disease, later known as Haden's syndrome in the name of Margaret Haden the former First Lady of the United States of America, infected 2.75 billion people. The "Hadens" locked in their own bodies were able to have a computer put into their brains that allowed them to experience the physical world through a mechanical body affectionately known as a "threep" in reference to C-3PO, as well as a virtual space known as the Agora exclusive to those affected. The people that contracted Hadens and were not locked in also suffered changes to their brains, which allowed them to interface with locked in Hadens. They are known as Integrators and they can act as a human body for the locked in to transfer their minds in order to experience the formerly traditional human life.

I am afraid to go into much more detail for fear of butchering the precise details so carefully doled out by Scalzi throughout the novel. The world is laid out very precisely for the reader and certain pieces of information are timed with relevance to the plot. This is something Scalzi does quite well in his more mysterious novels such The Human Division and the one in question. I do not wish to spoil the story because it is one of the most interesting mysteries I have ever read. The intricacies of the world make it feel alive and experiencing their reveal alongside the narrative is a rewarding feeling. I cannot say that there are any instances where a plot point did not pay off.

I would like to make a few comment on the main characters in Lock In because their introduction and growth is somewhat of a test of the reader's perspective and imagination. Agent Chris Shane, who shares their first-person narrative throughout the novel is entirely gender ambiguous. From beginning to end you cannot possibly identify Shane's gender, and simply put, it does not matter in the slightest. It is clear that Scalzi's intentions were to maintain a gender neutral central character and using a first-person narrative was the best possible route to take in achieving this atmosphere. A typical person does not refer to themselves as he or she in first person, or at least I don't. It also helps that Shane uses a neutral threep throughout the story, preventing any gender identification or the need to make a point of their appearance. It is interesting to speak to people who have read the book to see if they assigned a gender to Shane or maintained the ambiguity. I have heard the argument that Shane must be a man because he came to the defence of a woman being harassed by a group of men, but I don't think it matters what gender you are when making the decision to help someone in need. Knowing Scalzi's general opinion of diversity in science fiction in both text and industry, I think it would be imperative to note that the narrow-minded traditional gender roles can be tossed out the window. See what I mean about the benefits of knowing an author beyond their immediate publications? This can also stand to the point that Chris Shane's ethnicity is not made a topic until their father's is identified later in the book. Yes, he is African American, but it is not lingered on nor made a point of because it just doesn't matter. These things are a part of the world we live in, so why not in a near-future science fiction narrative?

I think the opening chapters establish this sense of unknown identify and appearance through Chris Shane's threep. We do not know Shane's gender, race or sexual orientation, but we assume that this person in a realistic future is a human being. However, when more information is piecemealed our way we understand that something is different about Shane in the way of physical presence. Rigid facial features, strange looks from passerbys, physical make-up, inability to eat or drink. Without having to be stated outright to make it initially clear, we can figure out that Chris Shane's public appearance is that of an android, robot or mechanical body-vehicle, which have you. This development paves the way for other characters to be introduced and subsequently neutral in their human existence. They don't need their physical or mental traits to define them aside from their unique personalities. This is intentional and it is executed with precision. At least, that's what I took from it.

John Scalzi's time before becoming a published author was spent with computers, business, finance and notably AOL. His knowledge of the relevant industry has played well in growing a believable future and computer technology field with realistic development. As a result, he combined the Haden's syndrome world with layers of technological-relevant mystery to deliver a sound narrative. There are no instances where Scalzi loses control of his story, nor does he have to backtrack or make leaps in logic in order to meet his plot goals. On top of all that, in regular Scalzi fashion, Lock In is just a breeze to read.

I hope you take the time to check out Lock In as well as any other works by John Scalzi. If you're not into paying for something like that on blind faith, take the inexpensive route by reading his blog, Whatever, and Twitter page. Maybe that will change your mind. Or it won't. I think it's safe to say that he's not short on readers. Just keep in mind, he's no stranger to the internet. If you have an opinion of him and you wish to make a comment on it, he knows how to field it. Please don't contribute to the internet's already overflowing bin of obnoxious individuals.

I appreciate your time. Take care.