Metrophage
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Metrophage is the first published novel of Richard Kadrey. The novel consists of thirteen chapters and was published in 1988.
[edit] Plot
Metrophage is the story of Jonny Qabbala, a young ex-cop and drug dealer. Qabbala is neither intelligent nor patient enough to stay alive in the dark, poverty-ridden world of the late 21st century. To make matters worse, his blind courage tends to put him deep into trouble; however, his neck is often saved at the last possible moment by his military training and luck. Qabbala's keen ability to place himself into bizarre situations leads to a series of fast-paced events, which make up the core of the novel.
Qabbala's world is the arena of a major power struggle between the Tokyo Alliance and the New Palestine Federation. This cold war and the Alliance's violent attempts to keep the population docile serve only to further impoverish the nation. The world also suffers the effects of a severe culture shock, caused long ago by a spaceship of extraterresterial origin that landed on the Moon.
[edit] Characters
- Sumi: Qabbala's girlfriend. A watt snatcher, who supplies her customers with energy stolen from the city's power grid.
- Random: The cynical bartender of The Pit, notorious for his cold-blooded manners and his interest in catastrophes.
- Easy Money: A thug and hired gun, murderer of Qabbala's friend Raquin.
- Conover: An old crime lord. His body has been disfigured by the constant usage of a life-extending drug called Greenies.
- Groucho: The leader of an anarchist organisation which he founded in order to bring free medical service to the population of Los Angeles.
