Homefront - The voice of freedom
John Milius and Raymond Benson
Multiplayer Issues
327 pages, 19 €
Synopsis
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We are in 2025 and America comes from an economic depression that led to a social war after the oil crisis: the United States had never been in a situation so dramatic. Here, therefore, that the worst enemies of the nation are preparing for a major attack, Korea, under the rule of the son of Kim Jong-il, attacks the United States leaving no possibility of escape. The great world power falls below the inability to organize a response to the assault.
In a small attempt at resistance, Ben Walker, a reporter who makes himself known by his stage name Voice of Freedom, organized an expedition to spy on and hit from the Korean forces, the war is only at the beginning and will not fail to get Korean counterattack.
Comment
For some time the world of video games is making a ton of materials for novelists who want to set novelization, expansion or sequel / prequel scenario-based well known to the youngest and most passionate video player. This strange category of books is gaining more attention in libraries (Think about it), and now it is quite common to find novels inspired by the world of Doom of Resistance of Resident Evil etc etc.
I do not play in years, so I escape the parallels between gaming and the paper versions of the various titles on offer, unless it is old stuff like me (see under Doom).
Homefront for example, I was not known, although they have elements that appeal to me in choosing a book like this: strong political fiction and dystopian elements, war scenarios, doomsday calls.
And then there's that name on the cover: John Milius. A legend in his own way: director film of exceptional quality Conan the Barbarian, Red Dawn and The Wind and the Lion . As many as a cult writer The Enforcer and Apocalypse Now. Say a little?
experience it in the guise of a writer was a temptation so strong that I gave in without too many reservations. Among other things this Homefront recalls all too clearly just Red Dawn, one of my dystopian films / ucronici favorites.
Well, what is your opinion?
Let me make an introduction: Homefront is a novel above the average of the novelization taken from video games. Media which, incidentally, is rather low. That said, the book is enjoyable, written in a linear fashion, simple but smooth, with no peaks up, but no glaring drop style or rhythm.
Sure, the premise upon which the plot is flimsy: Korea unified under the flag of Communist wins the U.S. assault and weakened by the global economic crisis? Likely as the invasion of the Cuban-Nicaraguan Red Dawn , except that in the film were the Russians to do the odd man out, but here the Koreans do it all yourself.
The invasion was made possible by an attack estimate with electromagnetic weapons that KO American technology. And now here's credibility goes down the drain ... Then the Communists bad attack by sea, by air and activating dormant agents on U.S. soil for years. And, in the absence of anti-paladin, Silvio Berlusconi, Washington can not capitulate.
In short, the scenario is almost joke. Of course, if there were Chinese instead of Koreans, perhaps it would make more sense (assuming that China has some convenience to attack the country that has billions of dollars!).
If you can not make If these macroscopic fantabelliche inventions, you can enjoy a story that, once again, recalls the well-known movie Red Dawn Milius : invading troops on American soil, puppet governments, partisan, military units that remain faithful to flag, the rest of the world stands by and watches etc etc.
short, nothing new on the horizon, with many stereotypes and cliches galore. However, it is certainly a story that will satisfy the tastes of readers strongly "specialize" in a certain type of novels. But if you look for a narrative level a bit 'more complex, this novel will be satisfied only in (small?) part.
Side note: this first book, The Voice of Freedom , suggests the classic trilogy, and has no real purpose. Know this before you spend the 19 euro cover, which is not peanuts.
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See also: Dossier Red Dawn
