Harmony

Description

Title: Harmony
Author: Project Itoh (Satoshi Itō)
Genre: Science Fiction / Dystopian / Philosophical
Published: 2008 (original Japanese publication)

Overview:
Harmony is science fiction, written in a dystopian style, where this paper shows humanity has created an almost utopian society after rebuilding the world from the ash of a devastating nuclear war. All remaining nations banded together as a health-utopia they named “Admedistration.” The government would survey and regulate every citizen’s physical and mental well-being based on advanced nanotechnology. In this world, social harmony and well-being are valued above all else.

The protagonist, Tuan Kirie, was once an outcast who rebelled against this system in her youth but now works as an inspector for the World Health Organization. Alongside her friends, Miach and Cian, she had once attempted suicide as a form of protest against oppressive control over human bodies and minds. Years go by, and Tuan slowly begins to open the secrets of a plot threatening to destroy the harmony of the utopian society, where she has to challenge the current peace and health of society at what cost.

Themes:

Free Will vs. Control: The novel has been an interesting one, basically debating between the autonomy of a person and the control of the society, with them questioning ethics where individual freedom was sacrificed for what benefits society.
Humanity and Technology: Harmony Puts deep and urgent questions to the relationship between technology and the human body/mind, and truly what it means to be human.
Rebellion and Conformity The psychological and emotional struggles, of course, of those who resist a society that reveres sameness and conformity.
Ethics of Utopia: The novel raises the question of whether a perfect society, with all its cost in terms of individuality, personal freedoms, and even humanity itself, is worth it.
Style:
The writing style in Project Itoh’s novel amalgamates stringent hard science fiction elements with deep philosophical soundings of ideas and creates a story that falls hard intellectually yet emotionally charged. Darkness envelops the narrative, and there are also elements of reflection and tension-when characters work out the intricacies of their world’s morality.

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