Vehicle: a verse novel

In a society where looking into the past is forbidden, scholars are offered a residency to pursue their projects. They discover that their projects all relate to the Isletese Disaster, and they must evade their pursuers while piecing together the story of Hester Heller, a reformed cult musician turned student recruited by the state to gather reconnaissance on the Disaster. Vehicle is a timely and daring exploration of xenophobia, exploitation, the writing of histories and legacies, and the politics of translation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2023
Publisher: Prototype Publishing Ltd.

In a society where delving into the past has become taboo and punishable by law, a group of scholars is presented with an enticing opportunity to pursue their research projects. However, they soon realize that they have been deceived into a catastrophic trap. Fleeing from their captors, they discover that their projects are interconnected and revolve around a significant event: the Isletese Disaster, which occurred fifty years ago, resulting in the decline and destruction of a long-forgotten roaming archipelago known as The Islets.

At the heart of their investigation is Hester Heller, a former cult musician turned government agent assigned to gather intelligence on the Disaster by using her old band, Vehicle, as a cover. Heller holds the key to unraveling the collective story of the Researchers, who piece together their findings from various sources, including fragmented documentation, personal recollections, and even their imaginative interpretations.

Vehicle is a thought-provoking and daring exploration of themes such as xenophobia, exploitation, the construction of histories and legacies, and the complexities of translation. It challenges societal norms and encourages readers to consider the consequences of ignoring the past and the power of storytelling to shape our understanding of the world. Through its compelling narrative and insightful analysis, Vehicle offers a timely and compelling perspective on the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by researchers and society as a whole.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 177 x 114 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913513344