Underground

Underground follows Leo James, the twin brother of Australia's Prime Minister, during a turbulent period in a near-future version of the nation. The story takes place in a transformed Australia where civil liberties have been suspended following terrorist threats, and the Liberal Party maintains absolute control without parliamentary oversight. The narrative tracks Leo's journey through a politically charged landscape as he becomes entangled in various factions' schemes and power struggles. His position as the Prime Minister's brother places him at the center of national events, forcing him to navigate complex loyalties and dangerous situations. The plot combines elements of political thriller and speculative fiction, set against a backdrop of surveillance, security measures, and social upheaval. The story unfolds primarily in Canberra, where Leo finds himself imprisoned in the House of Representatives. The novel serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of democratic institutions and the potential consequences of trading liberty for security. It explores themes of power, surveillance, and the relationship between government control and personal freedom in times of crisis.

Readers found Underground to be slower-paced and less engaging than McGahan's previous works. Several reviews noted the near-future dystopian elements felt derivative of similar novels. Readers liked: - The detailed portrayal of an altered Australian landscape - Environmental themes and political commentary - The protagonist's character development through the story Readers disliked: - Pacing issues in the first third of the book - Plot elements that strain credibility - Writing style described as "less polished" than McGahan's other novels Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (252 ratings) Library Thing: 3.2/5 (48 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Takes too long to get going but pays off in the final act" - Goodreads reviewer "The environmental disaster scenario feels familiar and predictable" - LibraryThing review "Not as tight or compelling as Praise or 1988" - Australian book blog review

1984 by George Orwell The portrayal of a surveillance state and erosion of civil liberties under totalitarian control mirrors the political transformation of Australia in Underground.

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore The depiction of a future society where government surveillance and control have replaced democracy reflects similar themes of resistance against authoritarian power.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood The transformation of a democratic society into an authoritarian state through the exploitation of fear and security concerns parallels Underground's political trajectory.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow The story of resistance against government surveillance and security overreach in response to terrorism examines comparable themes of liberty versus security.

The Running Man by Richard Bachman The protagonist's navigation through a dystopian political system while being hunted by those in power shares thematic elements with Leo's journey in Underground.

🔸 "Underground" was one of Andrew McGahan's final novels, published in 2006, three years before he won Australia's prestigious Miles Franklin Award for "The White Earth." 🔸 McGahan passed away in 2019 at age 52 from pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a diverse literary legacy spanning multiple genres including crime, gothic horror, and political fiction. 🔸 The novel's setting of a security-obsessed Australia was partially inspired by the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act 2005, which significantly expanded government surveillance powers. 🔸 The twin brothers' dynamic in the story mirrors several historical cases of siblings on opposite sides of political divides, including the Kray twins of London's criminal underworld. 🔸 Prior to writing political thrillers, McGahan worked as a hotel cleaner and factory hand, experiences that influenced his authentic portrayal of working-class characters throughout his work.