Blogs by David A. Schwinghammer
The Sun Collective,, books review
2/2/2021 11:04:13 AM
Fictional rendering on whether capitalism is the best economic system for our country and why ideology combating capitalism eventually turns violent.
As Harry Brettigan is riding the light rail on his way to the Mall in Bloomington, Minnesota, he is struck by the number of homeless people also riding the train. He refers to them as “Victims of Capitalism” and has a great deal of empathy for them.
Later he and his wife Alma are at Minnehaha Falls enjoying the view when they notice a joyful couple, the young man blowing bubbles and the girl trying to kick them out of the air. They are enchanted. Harry remembers them spreading leaflets at the Mall. They belong to a ideological group called the Sun Collective. Ultimately they learn the Sun Collective is out to do something about the homeless and victims of our wolfish society. They sponsor community outreach programs like community gardens, a co-op bank and campaign for affordable housing. The young people are Christina and Ludlow.
Another plot thread involves Harry and Alma's son, Tim, a former theatrical actor, who has spurned his career and become a member of the homeless community as well.
Eventually Alma goes to Sun Collective meetings, something Harry is cynical about. In his mind these ideological groups ultimately lose their lofty goals and try to impose them on others, much as Marxism did. We see Ludlow veering in that direction.
Harry is a former engineer, having built bridges for his career. He is glad he wasn't involved in the building of the 35W bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis. He's kind of a sad sack who breaks out in tears more than once. But he truly loves his wife and wants his son back.
There are several twists and turns later on. We are asked questions such as “Is violence ever justified?” Christiana, influenced by the Sun Collective, also does something shocking to herself that ultimately turns out for the good.
I would recommend THE SUN COLLECTIVE not so much for the story, but for the big questions it asks and examines.
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