This is a tale of twenty-fourth-century young people spreading their wings, ready to fledge. On three planets and a 'space-village' in transit, they each challenge the expectations their societies put upon them. Tom is from the West of England, suffering from the effects of climate change. Elle on Terraspei looks beyond her world, ten light-years from Earth, and dreams of the stars, while Charity on planet Pure Haven defies a culture that denies an education to girls. Each is separated from the other by light-years; a two-way conversation takes decades. They are virtually isolated. Isolated, that is, until a new form of communication is discovered and, suddenly, the young people can chat across the universe from their bedrooms, as though they were next door. Now what happens? How can communities keep their kids safe from all the influences beyond their worlds - influences that threaten to change everything?
Here, a scientific breakthrough fuels a change in societies that sets young people free to become who they have been created to be, but it poses a challenge to adults at home and at school, as well as the young people themselves. We encounter a diverse range of teenage characters, each with their own personal battles, and coming from societies with different sets of values.
How do Charity and her friends resist the patriarchy of the Ruling Council on their planet? How are the new arrivals in the state-of-the-art space-village going to integrate into a society that is backwards-looking? How is Sam dealing with the unwanted attentions of an ill-disciplined girl in his class on Earth? How is Betty going to survive the consistent gaslighting she experiences from her family? How is Elle going to deal with the social expectation to marry and have a family when she is so absorbed with becoming an astrophysicist? These are some of the questions we face as we travel with these youngsters into their futures. Can change happen without violence? Does Charity go too far? Is Elle too impatient? Is Joseph brave or foolhardy in persuading his family to become guinea pigs as the first to leave the safety of the space-village? If you are a parent, how do you balance protecting your teenagers against allowing them freedom to grow? And, do grandparents have a role to play?
Set in the future in four different communities separated by light-years, 'Breakthrough' engages with those interested in sci-fi whilst addressing head-on the challenges our young people face in the world today. The novel ventures not only into the four dimensions of spacetime but also explores the inner depths of the soul. And, if we believe in God, where might that take us? How do we continue to contain the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - whilst adults in charge are using religion as a form of oppression?
'Breakthrough' poses questions, suggests some answers, whilst encouraging us to explore, and looks forward in hope.
