Title: Master Class
By: Christina Dalcher
Published: 2020
Call #: Fic Dalcher
http://pclib.polarislibrary.com/view.aspx?author=Dalcher&title=master
Master Class by Christina Dalcher is an intriguing peek into a world where everyone has a Q score which measures their potential and thus determines the level of education they will receive and ultimately their status in society. The main character is Elena Fairchild, a successful teacher at an elite school who also happens to be married to a top official in the Q program.
Initially a supporter, Elena’s opinion of the system changes when one of her own daughter’s test scores drop, threatening the very foundations of her marriage and family. As the story unfolds she undergoes a process of discovery, learning things about herself and others close to her that she could scarcely have imagined previously. At its core, this is a story of a society making choices between extreme efficiency versus human dignity.
As seen through the eyes of Elena, it also personalizes it in a way that is highly engaging and that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A thought provoking and insightful book, Master Class will make you think about where we are headed in our own society’s push for constant “improvement” and perhaps lead you to question the extent that we should be willing to go to in order to achieve the supposed benefits of the perfect system.