Harriet Parke teamed up with Glenn Beck to produce an augural novel centered around the life of protagonist Emmeline. The premise behind Agenda 21spawns from other classics such as A Brave New World and Orwell’s 1984. While the concept of the novel is not anything new, Beck and Parke put a perceivably applicable twist on the basic plot. Although not explicitly stated, the title implies the implications of the U.N.’s agenda 21 – a provision that seeks for developmental and environmental objectives. So while the book never uses straightforward U.N. newspeak, the subtle similarities beg the question.
Agenda 21 barely reaches mediocre as a novel, but is quite enthralling as a political motivator. No doubt the social implication Beck intends rings true. The main principle that the power of choice should rest with the people is as clear in Agenda 21 as it is in the preceding ominous works. The purpose of the novel appears to be for informational more than entertaining purposes because right at the climax of the story, the novel ends. Maybe the second installment will be coming soon? In the end, I would recommend A Brave New World before Agenda 21 for political change and The Hunger Games over Agenda 21 for entertaining value.
