Black Oceans

Cyberpunk noir

Mid 21-century, USA of late capitalism. The economical stratification is reflected in the biological stratification: genetic engineering allows the rich to sculpt their bodies and design their offspring. Economy is the domain of Als who fight wars against each other in multilayer models of markets, incomprehensible to humans. Most of the functions of the state have been privatised. Most of interpersonal relations are ruled by a strict protocol: if you are a member of the elite, you can be sued for a face you pulled, a gesture you made, a thought you had; freedom is only for the unsculpted destitute.

Politician and lobbyist Nicholas Hunt feels in his element in this world. At least until the moment when he starts suspecting the Earth is penetrated by the Aliens. And their invasion takes place in the domain of human mind: behaviour, fashion, trends.

Meanwhile the biology of Homo sapiens and the humanity itself have also become just a question of fashion.

The novel has inspired a 2008 film directed by Tomasz Suski, called All Secrets.

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The world of Black Oceans is a world in which none of us would want to find ourselves, but at the same time, we are rapidly heading towards it.

Wojciech Orliński, Gazeta Wyborcza

Jacek Dukaj successfully depicts a non-linear world, a world where it is not change that matters, but the mathematical derivative of change: the acceleration of change. A world where the frequency of murderous millenarian sects and technological changes in telecommunications influence each other.

Janusz A. Urbanowicz, Esensja