Water and Drought

The central motif of the novel is water and drought and all of the action in the narrative is motivated by the desire of different characters to secure a regular water supply for themselves or others. The author uses the depiction of different fluids or the lack thereof to show the relative status of each of the characters in society. When Maria and Sarah contrast their own lives to the TV show “Hollywood Lifestyles” (on an episode featuring Angel’s favorite action hero, Tau Ox), the detail that remains with both girls about the glamour of Tau’s life is the fountain outside of the building where Tau lives. Ornamental water features are a kind of luxury reserved for only the wealthiest and most successful people in this world, and the sight of such a waste of resources is impossible to comprehend for Sarah...