The Ends of the Earth

More about the book

Three stories explore the theme of making the world uninhabitable, presenting various strategies to hasten or avoid this fate. This endeavor represents the pinnacle of an evolving species, surpassing creation itself and challenging the notion of a good life. The characters in these interconnected tales are precarious yet deeply human, facing extinction just as exploration of the planet begins. The world, though not flat, can be imagined as having ends. In one story, characters exhibit familiar traits—competition, jealousy, distraction—as they struggle to confront an uncertain end that arrives unexpectedly. Another tale features protagonists on the brink of modernity, seeking a ‘green’ space beyond exploitation and the confines of their work and relationships, achieving only partial success. The final story is set in an imagined ‘Cambodia,’ where the shadows of war and past atrocities loom over both new visitors and long-term residents. The preservation of ruins intertwines with the realm of Death, culminating in a parade that highlights the delicate balance between Death and human power, suggesting a temporary equilibrium in a world facing its potential demise.