Embark on an immersive journey of self-discovery while exploring the ruins of a deserted island in this captivating sci-fi novel. With exquisite lyrical language and a profound humanistic spirit, the book showcases exceptional imagination and thought-provoking concepts about the future world. M. P. Seal's alternative Sci-Fi allegory is a unique hybrid, blending elements of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, road movie, and philosophical speculation. Rooted in Taiwan's conflicting self-identity and geopolitical history, the novel offers a compelling exploration of these themes. - In the 22nd century, the world lost its colour. - In 2050, the Third World War broke out, causing ecological devastation through biological and nuclear warfare, pushing human civilization to the brink of destruction. In order to avoid conflicts over scarce resources in the post-war era and repeating history, humans have completely replaced material enjoyment with virtual digital experience. "Achromatopsia," an incurable and mysterious disease, began to spread, depriving humans of the ability to perceive colours. In 2119, Joseph Lewis, a Taiwanese-Australian, joined an expedition sent by the Australian government to explore the abandoned island of Formosa, to investigate whether it was suitable for human habitation. This uninhabited island on the edge of the Pacific had been deserted due to contamination from biochemical weapons. While traveling along the northern coast, Lewis unexpectedly encounters a mysterious young man named Joey. Clad in peculiar attire, Joey claims to have woken up one day with no memory of his identity or past. Lewis suspects him to be an enemy agent disguised as a survivor of Formosa, intending to worm his way into the expedition. However, to Lewis's surprise, he finds that Joey can recognize colours without relying on any visual enhancement. How is this possible? The last person who could see colours died nearly twenty years ago. Could Joey be the last of the old humans, traversing through time? A world without colours can still function, just as humans can survive without passion. Colours represent Eros, possessing a materialistic nature that requires living flesh and a need to possess. Technology and knowledge cannot solve achromatopsia, in the same way that desire cannot be comprehended by reason. After the war, humans have renounced all desires, only to find themselves still yearning to see colours.
