Author: Randy Smith

Publisher: Rude Cat, LLC (August 29, 2019)

ISBN-10: 0578562456   ISBN-13:978-0578562452

Although futuristic dystopia novels have captured our attention for decades, I have never been a big fan of speculative fiction. Nevertheless, Randy Smith's The Raffle did maintain my focus. I can attribute my interest to the story's dark content and unsettling nature, as well as its ability to hold a mirror to present-day anxieties. It also allowed me to provoke thought and ponder abstract creative conjectures that present a harrowing vision of several of society's malaise. At the same time, it engaged me in quite a chilling yarn touching on several themes. There was also a keen fascination with the central human character as well as the robot characters that Smith cleverly creates.

The yarn unfolds on May 19, 2027, when we meet the principal character, Ramsey Arami, who is told that he has three hours and fifty-nine minutes before the "Raffle." In the meantime, he is asked to write a letter to any individual he had known before July 2016. If his Raffle ticket is chosen, he will be repatriated into the New United States, provided he adheres to specific rules. 

Ramsey writes a letter to his wife Katerina and daughter Leila, whom he had last seen eleven years ago when he dropped them off at the airport in Los Angeles. They were off to his wife's parents in Waltham, Massachusetts. He is sorry he could not accompany them and tells them that it was the worst decision he had ever made. 

Ramsey explains to his wife what happened to him in 2016 when Los Angeles and Southern California experienced a "High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse." He eventually became aware through something called the "Proclamation" that Southern California was hit with a multi-pronged biological, nuclear, and high altitude electromagnetic pulse attack. The "Proclamation" also reveals that there was a "Virus" referred to as M-V-16 that triggered many adverse effects. It weakened immune systems, inhibited judgment, flared anger, and intensified anxiety. 

Consequently, Los Angeles had been divided into four distinct ethnic territories that fought each other until the New United States provided its inhabitants with an offer the New Angelinos could not turn down. The leaders of the New United States (NUS) created a Raffle and informed the New Angelinos that they can be repatriated to the NUS if they follow certain conventions that would enable them to participate in the Raffle. "Repatriation can only occur if they win the Raffle. Every year on their birthday, eligible New Angelinos may qualify to participate in the Raffle. One of the lucky winners shall be tested to prove they are worthy of being re-integrated into a diverse society and be Repatriated to the NUS." Ramsey wins the Raffle, and from here, we follow his ferociously imaginative journey to be repatriated, which incidentally includes robots that accompany him on his suspense-filled journey. Once he is repatriated, he will once again be able to rejoin his wife and daughter, or will he?

It should be mentioned that The Raffle began as a series of four novellas in 2016 and has now been combined into one comprehensive volume consisting of four parts. According to Smith, the seeds of his novel were planted when he was commuting between Los Angles and New York every two weeks. His wife was living in New York at the time. He always admired and was thankful for our transportation system that allowed his marriage to survive while they were thousands of miles apart. And quite in evidence and one of the important themes of the novel is our freedom of transportation and its technological advances, which, as Smith points out, forms the backbone of his book. 

 In the end, we have an artfully paced work with a smorgasbord of themes that are expressed through the actions and thoughts of its principal characters. These include our unpreparedness to horrendous biological and nuclear terrorism with its devastating ramifications. Social and political structures in a nightmarish world. Political polarization, immigration, class distinctions, racial and religious tensions, race riots, extrapolation of current technologies, and even the end of democracy.

Smith pulls out all the stops as he gets his hooks into you with his extraordinary storytelling. And eventually, we are captivated by his profound insights that wrap up complex questions in an entertaining package. In addition, the yarn is filled with passion and an everlasting riveting narrative drive.

The story's bleak vision won't appeal to everyone. Still, I have to admit it is a novel with a great deal to say as we climb aboard with Ramsey as he cycles with a robot across an unfamiliar and hostile country. 

Follow Here To Read Norm's Interview With Randy Smith