Market Forces
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 UK hardback edition cover |
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| Author | Richard Morgan |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Victor Gollancz Ltd |
| Released | 2004 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback,Paperback) |
| Pages | 386 (Hardback), 464 (Paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0345457749 (Hardback), ISBN 0-345-45774-9 (Paperback) |
Market Forces is a science fiction novel by Richard Morgan, first published in 2004.
Set in 2049, it follows up and coming executive Chris Faulkner as he plunges into the profitable field of conflict investment. Shorn Associates and other major corporations invest in rebel armies, totalitarian dictatorships, freedom fighters, and terrorists by selling weapons and services in exchange for a percentage of a state's GNP.
The potential for profit is immense, and competition is cut-throat. It's not enough to out-bid a competitor for the opportunity of supplying intelligence gathering services to Cambodia's freedom fighters; rival executives joust for the privilege on closed public roadways via armoured cars or "battle-wagons". This fiercely competitive business model is bloody but effective: surviving executives are by natural selection more cunning and aggressive than their fallen competitors, and therefore best suited for the job.
Market Forces is less science than fiction, and it certainly doesn't follow in Richard Morgan's previous novels' cyberpunk footprints. Certain cyberpunk elements remain, though, such as the dominance of large corporate empires and the Hobbesian nature of everyday life. The novel retains strong dystopian influences throughout and delivers a frighteningly realistic future. Other influences, especially in the action scenes, are the groundbreaking science fiction films Rollerball and Mad Max.[1]
Although some readers seem to think so, Market Forces is not in fact related to the Takeshi Kovacs fictional universe, and is not a prequel to that series.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
When Chris Faulkener first arrives at Shorn he meets and befriends Mike Bryant, despite the possibility that they may be required to duel and kill each other for future promotions. Through the novel Mike and Chris provide support for each other.
The initial project which Chris works on is shoring up an aging Colombian dictator, General Hernan Echevarria. Colombia is called NAME (North Andean Monitored Economy) by the "conflict investors" and other western powers. The Shorn contract is up for renewal and the General is also likely to die soon, leaving his regime in the hands of his son Francisco Echevarria. Initially, Chris attempts to get a better deal for Shorn by playing the regime against several active rebel groups, but ends up actually supporting one of the rebel groups, the Popular Revolutionary Brigade led by Vincente Barranco, to depose the General. After meeting with Barranco in person Chris becomes convinced that he can both win a revolution and make NAME a better place.
Eventually, both the General and Barranco are invited to Shorn headquarters in London. Chris becomes more convinced that backing Barranco is the correct decision. When it becomes apparent to Chris that Shorn will not support him, he beats the aging General to death. The attitude of the Shorn partners to this action is acceptance if it can be spun to their advantage, and they conceal the murder.
After the killing of the General elements of Shorn still want to support the regime, with Francisco Echevarria as the General's replacement. The final decision comes down to a duel between Chris and Mike Byrant. Chris wins the duel and kills Mike, and the novel concludes with Chris informing Francisco Echevarria that he will be executed if he does not leave NAME with-in 48 hours.
While the primary story-line follows Chris' work in Colombia there are also several sub-plots.
Chris is brought into another deal by Mike Bryant, where Shorn Assocociates must duel with two other firms, Nakamura and Acropolitic, for the rights to invest in the government of Cambodia's efforts to retain power. Shorn wins the duel, and Chris is required to kill his opponents instead of simply defeating them. This is the first example of the oft repeart Shorn policy of expecting their employees to come to work with blood on their tires.
We also follow the break-down of Chris' marriage to Carla. Carla is also Chris' automechanic and has custom built the Saab that he drives. Over the novel Carla's ability to accept that Chris' profession requires that he fight and kill slowly disappears, as Chris is draw deeper into Shorn Associates. Chris' own good intentions and social conscience sit uncomfortably with his growing enthusiasm for his work, and belief that he can make a difference from inside the system, that the ends can justify the means. As they grow apart Chris' begins an ill-advised affair with Liz Linshaw, a reporter who covers corporate dueling and a sometimes partner of Mike Bryant.
[edit] Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science
- Langley Contracting, the privatized remnant of the CIA. Provides on-call mercenary services for Shorn and other conflict investors.
- NAME (North Andean Monitored Economy) is the name given to the country of Colombia by the conflict investors.puven
[edit] Awards and nominations
- Arthur C. Clarke Award Best Novel nominee 2005
- John W. Campbell Memorial Award Best Novel winner 2005
[edit] Release details
- 2002, Great Britain, Victor Gollancz Ltd, ISBN 0-575-07321-7, Pub date 2004, Hardback
- 2004, United States of America, Ballantine Books, ISBN 0-345-45774-9, Pub date March 1, 2005, Paperback
