The Pesthouse
Jim Crace
Doubleday Canada
<p>During the years of America's ascendancy, the great ships brought waves of immigrants to the promised land.  In sight of the Statute of Liberty, the huddled masses disembarked in search of the American dream.  In the imagined future, the great ships play a different role.  In a work of outstanding originality, Jim Crace's <b>The Pesthouse</b> envisions a future America in ruins and a reversal of history:  desperate Americans seeking passage to the promised land of Europe.<br><br>Crace's future United States is a lawless wasteland.  The economy collapses, industry ceases, and the remaining populace returns to subsistence farming.  The only hope rests with reaching the east coast and obtaining passage by ship to Europe. <br><br>Like many Americans, Franklin Lopez and his brother, Jackson, leave their farm to begin the long trek east.  Within sight of their goal, Franklin is forced, by an enflamed knee, to stop.  While Jackson continues forward, Franklin seeks rest in a seemingly...</p>