Larry Lockridge’s The Woman in Green is a captivating and satirical narrative that takes readers on a thrilling journey through academia, history, and science. This tightly-written novel is a true masterpiece that seamlessly weaves together various elements such as genetic re-engineering, deciphering ancient codes and scrolls, and the search for the sacred figurine of the Woman in Green.

The story centers around Sam Coverdale, a wealthy and benevolent man who gathers a group of six individuals at the New Harmony Institute for a massive experiment. Among them are Mary and Percy Schiller, who bear striking similarities to famous literary figures, revolutionary journalist George Gordon, and his daughter Allegra, a TV and communications expert who adores her pet tortoise, Stretch. Together, they embark on a multitude of endeavors while navigating love and lust amidst discussions on history and philosophy.

Lockridge’s novel is a short, quick, and stimulating read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The narrative is packed with events happening one after another, and the details added are nothing short of astounding. With references to forgotten poet Keats, the dementia vaccine, and the lost plays of Sophocles, readers are sure to pause and re-read said details to fully absorb their implications. The story’s narrator is grumpy and cynical and orders readers of 2050 to look up 2000’s terms in the glossary. This postmodern feel is wonderfully juxtaposed with references to cultural phenomena such as Walt Whitman, postmodernists, and camcorders. This combination leaves the reader feeling as though they are both in the present and the past, making for a truly unique reading experience.

The Woman in Green is part of The Enigma Quartet but can be read as a standalone work. The characters are incredibly human and ridiculous in the vein of Tom Sharpe. The writing style is a mix of ribald and sensitive, reminiscent of Terry Pratchett and Evelyn Waugh. The literary references are spot-on, and the proper use of Latin shows painstaking research or acute familiarity with the language. The illustrations included in the novel are reminiscent of later publications of Enid Blyton, with a childlike quality that adds to the book’s charm.

Overall, The Woman in Green by Larry Lockridge is an engaging read that leaves readers oscillating between a utopian and dystopian setting. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-written, thought-provoking novel.

Pages: 249 | ASIN : B0BQZ65VGY