Immobility

Immobility is a 2012 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel by Brian Evenson. This is an easy to read and yet thought-provoking look at a future humanity.

from the dust jacket:

When you open your eyes, things already seem to be happening without you. You don't know who you are, and you don't remember where you've been. You know the world has changed, that a catastrophe has destroyed what used to exist before, but you can't remember exactly what did exist before. And you're paralyzed from the waist down apparently, but you don't remember that either.

A man claiming to be your friend tells you your services are required. Something crucial has been stolen, but what he tells you about it doesn't quite add up. You've got to get it back or something bad is going to happen. And you've got to get it back fast, so they can freeze you again before your own time runs out.

Before you know it, you're being carried through a ruined landscape on the backs of two men in hazard suits who don't seem anything like you at all, heading toward something you don't understand that may well end up being the death of you.

Welcome to the life of Josef Horkai….

SF Revu calls it "a superb distressing noir thriller as the eclipse blocking the sun never moves on" Kirkus Reviews calls it "satisfying".

NPR closes a positive review with this: "...it's an undeniably important look at what we're at risk of becoming — a nightmare world without hope, reason or compassion. "It's never fair," as Horkai says. "Why should it be?"" Green Man Review finds fault with the editing but concludes, "I’m glad I read Immobility. It’s a bleak philosophical meditation masquerading as a delightfully twisted horror tale."

SF Signal says, "if you’ve been having an absolutely wonderful day and can’t stop smiling at all the good fortune that’s come your way lately, use Immobility to obliterate those warm fuzzy feelings into a thousand mewling fragments." Publishers Weekly says, "this compelling book will darken the mood of even the most lighthearted readers".