A Gripping Narrative of a Futuristic World

Book Title: This Great Hemisphere
Author: Mateo Askaripour

Mateo Askaripour’s “This Great Hemisphere” is one of the most ambitious and thought-provoking novels I’ve read in recent memory. Set in the year 2529, it imagines a world where power and privilege determine visibility—literally. Society is divided between the Dominant Population (DPs), who hold authority, and the Invisibles, a marginalized group who are physically transparent and socially disregarded. At the center of this dystopian reality is Sweetmint, an Invisible woman trying to navigate an oppressive system that refuses to acknowledge her existence. Askaripour weaves a gripping and unsettling narrative, making it impossible not to draw parallels between his futuristic world and today’s struggles with race, class, and systemic injustice.

I found Sweetmint to be an incredibly compelling protagonist. Despite living in a world designed to erase her, she manages to carve out a space for herself, securing an apprenticeship with Croger Tenmase, a DP inventor responsible for rebuilding the Northwestern Hemisphere. But just as she begins to find stability, everything is upended when her long-lost brother, Shanu, is accused of assassinating the Chief Executive. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a perilous journey to find him before the authorities do—all while a high-stakes election looms, with politicians using fear and division to maintain their grip on power. The mix of personal stakes and political intrigue made for an enthralling read, keeping me on edge as I followed Sweetmint’s journey.

The world-building in this novel is absolutely stunning. Askaripour introduces fascinating futuristic details, like scent-based identification and rumoya, a unique life force that flows through all Invisibles, acting almost like a sixth sense. The stark contrast between the privileged DPs and the Invisibles serves as a powerful allegory for systemic oppression, making me think about how invisibility—both literal and figurative—plays out in our own society. At times, though, I felt that the depth of the world-building came at the cost of pacing. Some sections, particularly those focused on rituals and political structures, slowed the story down when I wanted to stay immersed in Sweetmint’s personal struggles.

Beyond the speculative elements, the novel explores themes of visibility, power, and resilience in ways that resonated deeply with me. Sweetmint’s fight to be seen and valued felt incredibly real, especially as she came up against figures like Stephan Jolis, a ruthless politician, and Curts, the head of the hemispheric guard. These characters embodied the dangers of unchecked ambition and authoritarian control, making the story feel eerily relevant. I also appreciated how Askaripour handled the theme of prejudice—showing how deeply ingrained biases persist, even in a technologically advanced world. The novel never felt preachy, but it made me reflect on how society continues to dehumanize marginalized groups in both overt and subtle ways.

That said, the novel isn’t without its flaws. Some sections felt overly dense, focusing on intricate world-building details at the expense of maintaining a strong narrative drive. The balance between speculative fiction and political thriller wasn’t always seamless—certain moments that should have been high-tension unfolded more slowly than I would have liked. But even when the pacing lagged, I couldn’t deny Askaripour’s storytelling power. His ability to weave complex themes into a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking kept me engaged, even when the execution wasn’t perfect.

Ultimately, “This Great Hemisphere” is a bold and imaginative novel that left a lasting impression on me. Askaripour’s exploration of power, identity, and resistance is timely and deeply compelling. While the novel has its uneven moments, its ambition and thematic depth more than makeup for it. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction that challenges societal norms and makes you think long after turning the final page.

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