However, one can’t help but feel one might get the wrong idea from this novel and how it relates to contemporary politics A Song for a New Day isn’t a beacon call to end the current quarantine. The “science-fiction” premise is only used as a means of introducing the conflict with our characters, Luce & Rosemary, in how they struggle to grow in a society that prohibits us from being human. Essentially, the story feels more grounded than ever before.

That’s not a statement towards the quality of the author’s, how effective the narrative functions, nor any indication of any personal disinterest in the work. Through no fault of its own, it feels unrecognizable as a science-fiction novel. However, reading it in 2020, I could not help but engage with the narrative with an entirely different set of political lenses. Luce is an aspiring musician who remembers how the world used to be before the current status quo while Rosemary is a corporate slave in a society she can’t recognize as dystopian by virtue of growing up on it. The narrative takes turns with each chapter to shift the focus to a different character. The narrative takes place in a world where acts of terrorism and ongoing pandemics prevent huge public gatherings from occurring. Quick Book Summary (from the official blurb): “After a global pandemic makes public gatherings illegal and concerts impossible, except for those willing to break the law for the love of music-and for one chance at human connection.”Ī Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker came out last year in September 2019, debuting as a science-fiction novel.

Sarah Pinsker’s A Song for a New Day, recent winner of the Nebula Award, is our next selection. In a continuation of our series of micro-reviews, assistant editor Brandon Williams brought together a group of ardent readers to give their quick-hit impressions of recent novels which have won major awards from the literary world.

Sarah pinsker song for a new day