The marriage act A novel

In this new novel from Marrs, author of The One (2016) and The Passengers (2018) and set in the same time line as both but a direct sequel to neither, the right wing British government enacts the Sanctity of Marriage Act, which is designed to punish those who are single and encourage citizens to enter into Smart Marriages. Far more draconian than its name suggests, this "marriage upgrade" requires participants to abide by strict rules, such as government monitoring and intervention from Relationship Responders who determine the fate of the union. Alternating chapters follow the lives of several people impacted by the Act, including a woman who dreams of internet fame, a seemingly happily married couple, and a Relationship Responder. The characters (both central and supporting) are vividly drawn, and their stories uniquely captivating. Marrs transforms a slightly out-there premise into a gripping, completely believable story full of surprises that prompt reflection. Absolutely compelling.

Marrs (Keep It in the Family) delivers a smart Orwellian thriller set in a near-future U.K. where the financial impact of several pandemics has led to drastic measures. Multiple economic reboots failed, leading the government to conclude that it could only turn things around by "making people understand that they're better off emotionally and financially when they're in a committed relationship," which would make "them want to work smarter and harder." Now incentives, including tax breaks and increased access to medical care, reward those who sign up for a "Smart Marriage," an arrangement which includes consenting to AI devices being placed in married couples' homes to randomly record conversations and send alerts when they detect potential problems between spouses. The impact of living in a world where privacy is minimal and those not "smart married" face discrimination is cleverly explored through several vividly portrayed characters, including vlogger Roxi, who wants government surveillance to be expanded, and Corrine, a member of the resistance to the oppressive regime. Marrs builds on techno-dystopian ideas explored in prior books (there are Easter eggs connecting this outing to both The One and The Passengers) to craft a scarily plausible world. Readers will be riveted. (May)