The Atmospherians: A Novel

Resistance to change and insecurity about large transitions in cultural expectations is the focus of Alex McElroy’s debut: The Atmospherians. The novel is set in some near future, when social media and cancel-culture has led to an outbreak of man-hordes in the country. These hordes are spontaneous groups that seem to form between unacquainted men, resulting in unpredictable, even violent, behavior. Sasha, McElroy’s representative for womankind, has recently experienced first-hand the dangers of a public media transgression. Once an aspiring influencer and wellness coach, Sasha’s own words inspire a tragic event, and she instantly becomes a pariah both online and in person. Fearing for her safety, she flees public scrutiny with an old childhood friend. Dyson conveniently has inherited a secluded property and proposes a grand scheme that he needs Sasha’s help to launch. Their plan would solve the man-horde problem, restore her reputation, while also making them rich and famous. The novel touches on themes of undue social influence, cultish/mob behavior, and the obligations of the media to act as mediator. McElroy explores the idea that our instant ability to communicate has created a crisis of identity, especially for those who reject the evolution of gender identity. With questionable motives and differing approaches, Sasha and Dyson quickly lose control of their experiment—with disastrous results. The Atmospherians depicts the danger of unfettered broadcasting when combined with innate tendencies toward chaos and violence. This debut is a likely pick for those interested in dystopian works like Lord of the Flies or Helter Skelter, but want to avoid the more graphic elements.

I received a free electronic ARC of this satirical novel from Netgalley, Alex McElroy, and Atria Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I had a rough time getting into the rhythm of this tale - I felt the story was at times disjointed and in places contradictory. The premise of the story was intriguing though and a very interesting idea that caught my fancy. Most of the male characters are caricatures of the macho man we so hope to not encounter and the 'schooling' provided at The Atmosphere almost a dream come true. This will make you thank goodness there are still a few fellows out there that have already seen the light.