that's why I had to put that book down for about a year. Had me freaked out more than anything has EVER freaked me out before. I was in the middle of the book and I just couldn't read anymore...first of all, the time wasn't far enough in the future for my comfort,and second it took place too close to where I was (I was at school and Claremont and the book takes place basically in a Pasadena of the future). Too real. Butler is not playing with the parable trilogy...she's speaking the truth, and it's scary as hell.