The Cost of Living

By: Marla L. Anderson

Narrated by: Brenda Scott Wlazlo

A life for a life. No one need die until someone new is born. Then you've no choice.

This novella will take the listener to a dystopian future - a world of adults where birthmothers are a privileged class and every child is a celebrity. Death has been conquered, but overcrowding has led to a government-enforced zero population growth. When Janice learns she is pregnant without authorization, she must find a life donor or forfeit her own. For every child born, someone must die. The math is simple, but the politics are complicated. Janice soon finds herself diving into a deep conspiracy.

For those who love The Handmaid's Tale, this is another take on what the future may hold.

©2018 Marla L. Anderson (P)2018 Marla L. Anderson

Very bleak but interesting look at the future!!!

The Cost of Living tells a very tragic tale of a future gone wrong. Janice is an intricate character. She has the will to continue living in this oblique world but is also willing to give it up so her child can live. When the possibility of having both arises, she will do whatever it takes to make it happen. This was a very gripping story. It will pull you in and keep you guessing. Very well painted picture of the world she lives in.
I really enjoyed the narration.

I was given a free review copy of this audiobook and I am leaving a voluntary review.

Short but Great!

How so much greatness was packed into a short story is beyond me, but it's here.

More please!!

I knew this was a novella but I wasn't prepared for loving it so much that I didn't want it to end. The world development was incredible! Dystopian worlds when well-done are a special treat. This was sorbet in the heart of the Sahara desert.

That ending absolutely blew me away!!! It ended too soon. I wanted more.

Interesting dystopian

Janice finds herself pregnant in a world where one must die whenever there is new life in order to keep the population controlled. In a world where nothing is what it seems including the politics that created the law to control the human population Janice must find a way to not be the one to lose her life for her child.

Janice's Run

This story takes place in a dystopian future where population control is enforced by an elite group of people. Not a very uncommon plot line for dystopian stories. Within this future there are different classes of people who have different levels of freedom from the next class. Life is good for those who have a priority code A pass. Sometimes people may be willing to trade their life for another’s if they are able to live the good life of a priority code A recipient for a few months.

The story is told over a six-month period and moves along quite fast. The plot feels familiar and borrows from a few different ones to form a nice well-rounded story. I think the length was perfect, even though, this world could have easily been expanded upon for a full novel. The two main characters were quite interesting and well rounded. They kept you on your toes wondering what was going to happen next, especially since they were polar opposites. The ending really comes out strong. Definitely worth a listen.

Wlazlo has a nice voice and did a good job telling this story. Her cadence and pacing are spot on and I enjoyed her character voices. She really brought the story to life.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.