The Gods and Their Machines

Short listed for this year's Bisto Book of the Year Awards, The Gods and their Machines is a first novel by Oisín McCann – and what an impressive and assured debut it is.

Short listed for this year's Bisto Book of the Year Awards, The Gods and their Machines is a first novel by Oisín McCann – and what an impressive and assured debut it is.

It is set in the dominating state of Altima which is embroiled in conflict with its oppressed fundamentalist neighbours, in an obvious parallel with events in the real word.

However, it would demeaning to Mr McGann's achievement to limit one's appreciation of his book to the consideration of such parallels. He has created an individual landscape, populated by strongly drawn characters.

There are stunning action set-pieces that transport us beyond levels of mere comparison, as we follow the adventures of teenager Chamus, who is forced to crash-land in enemy territory, and his meeting with Riadni, a girl from the opposite side of the divide. She is bound by the cultural and religious demands of her community, but discovers that there are no absolutes in the struggle in which she is embroiled. This is thought-provoking stuff, and a rattling good adventure story where good and bad is never clear-cut and the question of survival has many ethical problems to resolve.

The Gods and Their Machines by Oisin McGann from O'Brien Press  7.95  Ages :10 to 14.

Tony Hickey