Simulation – 1988 is primarily a blend of Dystopian Science Fiction and Psychological Thriller, grounded by an emotional core of Romance.
The book fits squarely within the Sci-Fi genre by establishing a reality that is fundamentally different from our own due to a massive, world-altering event, the “glitch.”
The Glitch Mechanism: The concept of consciousness being shuffled into a new body while time remains locked in a loop is a high concept science fiction premise. It forces characters to confront questions about what defines reality, what constitutes the self, and whether they are simply “characters in simulation software.”
Dystopian Setting: The world is inherently broken and frightening. The reduced population, the constant threat of violence, and the mandatory survival mentality create a dystopian atmosphere. The world’s rules are cruel, forcing people to take what they need and live in constant fear of their next temporary body.
The narrative creates high tension through unpredictable, personal threats, utilizing the rules of the simulation to enhance the stakes.
Identity as a Vulnerability: The daily body shuffle means that identity is never secure. Characters cannot rely on familiar faces, making every encounter potentially dangerous.
The style is characterized by a focus on the contrast between fleeting physicality and enduring emotional connection.
Focus on Sensory Detail (The Eyes): The prose heavily emphasizes the eyes as the only reliable physical anchor for identity (“I see it in her eyes… no matter whose eyes they are behind”). This singular focus grounds the romance amid the chaos.
Emotional Resilience: The style often contrasts the grotesque reality (e.g., finding Ella in an old man’s body or Keith’s violent methods) with the simple, profound love of Ben and Ella, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.
Global, Ephemeral Scope: The style must constantly pivot in terms of setting, moving from a prison cell on Alcatraz to Australia, reflecting the characters’ ever changing geographic reality and preventing the narrative from becoming stagnant.
