Immigration

The author uses this theme to construct an allegory in the novel relating to contemporary (and historical) fears about immigration. Hel and Vikram and the rest of the 156,000 UDPs come from an alternative universe, but the discrimination they face and the anxiety they feel about being in a strange place correspond perfectly to the issues faced by immigrants in the real world.

The discrimination the UDPs face frequently intersects with racist or xenophobic attitudes that are regularly touted in contemporary American society. This is established early on in the novel when Vikram questions the practicality of Hel's idea for the museum to preserve their culture: “...everyone who isn't a Bible Numericist hates us” (13) he explains, referencing a religious sect that believes the arrival of UDPs means that Judgment Day is imminent. Vikram goes on to mention Joslan Micallef, the UDP serving a life sentence for murdering...