Writer returns to sci-fi roots with stellar result ‘Last Book in the Universe’ appeals to readers of all ages, interests

THE LAST BOOK IN THE UNIVERSE by Rodman Philbrick, The Blue Sky Press, New York, 2000, hardcover, 223 pages, $16.95.

In today’s world, books written with “reluctant readers” in mind usually go no further. It is a rare gem that can combine the fast-packed action to hook kids who would rather be playing video games, the well-developed characters and plot to satisfy honor students, and the ethical and moral issues to inspire adults who teach them both.

Rodman Philbrick’s “The Last Book in the Universe,” a 2001 Lupine award winner, is one such treasure.

Philbrick has created a truly terrifying future world. A planetwide disaster, the Big Shake, has devastated the Earth, killing more than a billion people and poisoning the atmosphere. In a frantic race to evolve the traits necessary for survival, scientists have engaged in large-scale genetic modification.

Spaz, Philbrick’s hero, lives in a world of haves and have-nots. The fortunate proovs, genetically improved humans, live long, healthy lives in Eden, a region of green grass, blue skies, spacious dwellings and abundant food.

Normals, in contrast, must eke out an existence in a crumbling concrete jungle, plagued by hunger and illness. Their domain, the Urb, is divided into latches, each presided over by a ruthless latch boss with the power to rob, torture or kill anyone he or she chooses. Not surprisingly, most normals use electrode needles to mind probe, preferring an artificially induced fantasy world to their grim reality.

Spaz has been kicked out of his family unit because of his foster father’s prejudices about his epilepsy. One day, a runner, a smuggler of illicit goods and messages between latches, tells him that his foster sister Bean is gravely ill and wishes to see him one last time before she dies. The problem is that Spaz has to cross several hostile territories to reach her. When he asks his latch boss, Billy Bizmo, for safe passage, he is forbidden to leave his own latch.

Despite the seeming impossibility of his mission, Spaz sets out to find, and if possible, save Bean. On the way he is joined by an unlikely trio of helpers: Ryter (an old man he robbed who is the owner of the last book), Little Face (a feral child) and Lanaya (a proov with a penchant for visiting the Urb). Their fast-paced adventures make “The Last Book in the Universe” impossible to put down.

In a recent phone chat, Philbrick said “The Last Book in the Universe” started out as a short story solicited for an anthology. As he wrote it, he became fascinated by the futuristic world he was creating and asked an editor if he could expand it into a novel. This expansion allowed him to add new characters and concepts.

In writing a science fiction book, Philbrick experienced the satisfaction of coming back to his literary roots. In fact, the work of Ray Bradbury inspired him to become a writer.

“It was a chance to return to my childhood, to return to why I loved reading as a child,” Philbrick said.

Like his friend and fellow author Kathryn Lasky, Philbrick views the rapid advances in biological technology with concern and has explored their ethical and moral implications through his writing.

“What was most frightening about [his futuristic world] was not so much the gang stuff,” Philbrick said. “You see that on the news every day. The scariest notion was what might happen with genetic engineering.”

Fortunately, the book ends on a note of hope. Philbrick tries to do this in every book he writes.

“They’re about being in really rough situations,” he said. “I’m an optimist. I try to have hope balanced against all this gloom and doom.”

Alert readers will notice that the ending skillfully offers both satisfying closure and rich opportunity for the crafting of a sequel. Philbrick admitted that he is contemplating doing just that.

Little Face, the new narrator, would have grown up. Hostilities between the proovs and the normals would escalate into war. Beyond that, he hasn’t worked out the details.

Hopefully, he’ll get to work on it soon. His fans are eagerly waiting to see what happens next.