Book Review: Aftermath by Levar Burton

Aftermath by Levar Burton

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published January 1st 1997 by Aspect

I read this book when it came out but was motivated for two reasons to re-read this dystopian sci-fi novel again. I'll get to those in a bit. First let's talk about the origins of the book. In the 90's many of the actors working in the Star Trek franchises from William Shatner, James Doohan to Jonathan Frankes were releasing co-written sci-fi novels. I am sure they came up with the concepts but they were clearly all mostly written by the hired co-authors. Aftermath however written by actor, director and producer Levar Burton who is most known for playing Geordi Laforge on The Next Generation was different.

Aftermath felt like a book that he clearly wrote himself. I mean it has some signs of being written by a first time novelist, but I actually respect the book even more for that reason. Lavar Burton is a gifted director and anyone who listens to his excellent new podcast 'Levar Burton reads' understands that he knows a thing or two about story. His monologues talking about the stories at the end are a clear highlight of the podcast.

That was the first reason I wanted to re-read this book. I have often told my writing partner on a series of TV scripts we are turning into a novel that Burton would be my dream director for the project's pilot.

The second reason was when I saw that the date of the future this book was set in was one year away. I was interested to see how different it was from our world. When I picked up a copy of the book Trump was elected and racial protests were erupting in Virginia. It is clear that the election of Donald Trump signaled the racists to come out in the clear so a race war doesn't seem so impossible. As far as a story goes Aftermath is a breezy tale set after major collapse has resulted in an American conflict based on race and economic classism.

In this novel the race war is set up by the election of a black president in 2012. That happened by the way, and while the full-on race war has not happened the hatred stirred up by Obama being elected happened is hard to deny. Slower, more subtle than in the events of this novel. In the end it was a racist president getting elected in response that really has stirred the pot. The rise of hate groups emboldened by Trump is a interesting comparison. Burton saw it as a reaction to the election and reality has been more of slow burn. I am sure Levar Burton feels like Ray Bradbury who famously said "I wasn't predicting the future I was trying to prevent it."

Burton tells the story through the lens of multiple characters connected by a psychic link. The main Point of view is a homeless black man Leon Crane who was academic. The story kicks off when the Maguffin in the form of computer disks are given to woman he sees kidnapped. He and few other people scattered around the country with connects to the woman are by the link to follow her to Chicago. The travels of the characters practically Leon on the train are fun and suspenseful.

This feels like The Stand without the epic scope. The setting and the world building is epic, the characters are all really realized. It is impressive much much story is crammed into the short page count. That is a bit of a double edged sword.In fact one of the biggest problems with the book is that it could have been two hundred pages longer. That is something I rarely say. The events of this book come together very fast and if anything too fast. A little more room to develop the characters would have added to an already interesting story and setting. Burton is a good writer and I wanted more.

If there is any other weakness is the story is light on the darkness. I certainly understand why Burton would do so, alot of his readers followed him from Star Trek and Reading Rainbow, but we also know him from Roots. A little more unflinching look at the world would have gone a long way. That is not to say there are not rough moments. The scene where Amy is attacked in St. Louis was effectively done horror.

Really glad to have this on my shelf. Most importantly I would like to say that I want another Levar Burton novel.