I’ve heard of this sci-fi novel over the years, but never read it. Finally I saw that a graphic novelization of it is available for free online here:
http://www.bigheadpress.com/tpbtgn
In short it is an alternate history/alternate reality story with two separate and divergent worlds of 1985. The first world features a United States that is a far-leftists wet dream… cars are virtually impossible to obtain, it’s illegal to make a profit, guns are not allowed the citizens, the government is in complete control. In the other world, where the bulk of the story takes place, the history of the US went quite a bit different, starting with the Declaration but really picking up at the Whiskey Rebellion. The result is that by this worlds 1985, a true “libertarian” world has come to pass in North America. It’s the sort of place both Heinlein and Rand would have found most entertaining.
As with Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged,” the Message can get a little heavy at times. Perhaps the novel thinned it out a little, dunno. But even so, it’s an entertaining romp, well illustrated… and thoroughly depressing. Not because what they describe is dystopic (well, the first world we see certainly is), but because as you read it, you realize that such a world just might be possible… but it ain’t *our* world. Our world is far closer to the dystopia shown at the beginning
The central character is a cop from the first world, accidentally cast into the second. He’s a decent guy, but he’s lived his life in a culture with certain assumptions that clash with the assumptions of the other. For instance, in his world the regular peons aren’t allowed guns; in the second world, *everyone* walks around armed. Here’s where the Message hits, and hits hard. But still… can you *really* argue with any of the points being made here?
Go forth and read it. if you like it, buy a paper copy. In any event, suggest it to your liberal/anti-gun friends.
“Anyone who objects levels the deadliest insult possible: ‘I won’t trust you until you render yourself harmless.'”
