Sjm Westaway

Indulgence Sjm Westaway

At one level this 'speculative fiction' novel is a story of frayed friendships and increasing tensions between former colleagues, Eva, Leon, Gretel and Javier - and the part each plays in a humanitarian space mission intended to warn planet Earth not to repeat the mistakes that have reduced their own planet to just one inhabitable country. At another level, the novel lightly draws on Stephen Hawking's words: "Whereas the short-term impact of AI depends on who controls it, the long-term impact depends on whether it can be controlled at all."

The space mission is dear to both astrophysicists Eva and Gretel, the president of the country. But can Gretel bask in the reflected glory of Eva's work yet stay at arm's length from the actual details of what Eva's work entails? Will she manage to outlast the undermining of her cabinet minister Timothy and squash his ambition to take over the presidency? And, can Javier, Gretel's long-term partner and political advisor, stem the interference of Leon in his crusade against government cover-ups and injustices?

Leon struggles against the 'ends justify the means' mentality of his former colleagues, yet he feels a duty of care towards the emotionally damaged Eva. His own story is beset by many complications and entwinements, but this flawed, former mathematician is the closest to the hero of the story.