In the Name of the Father

A Dystopian Novel

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Pub Date 30 Mar 2020 | Archive Date 30 Jun 2020

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Description

Be prepared to ponder freedom, the value (and pitfalls) of democracy, morality, and societal division in this dystopian epic told from the perspectives of five different characters ...

In 2196, the Republic is the sole surviving state of the new world. The Father rules the people. The Law aims to avoid the mistakes of the old world.

Religion is outlawed.

Electric fences separate citizens from other people.

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Heath is born in one of the lawless sectors outside of the Republic and is brought up to resist it. Inspired to make a difference after his parents are killed, he joins a rebel group sourcing supplies for his community. Despite progress, Heath knows that his fight for freedom and salvation is a perpetual one and perhaps impossible.

Then two of Heath’s friends don’t return from a mission. Heath learns of a tunnel built under the fences, leading to the other side. But who built it? And why?

When the opportunity for liberation arises, the fate of the new world and the legacy of the old one hang in the balance. Heath and his people face a ruthless enemy, one even more merciless than before.

Can Heath look into his heart and find the trust and hope the new world needs — to take the ultimate risk?

A bold and gripping dystopian novel, In the Name of the Father is an inspiring story of love, transformation and the human spirit, transcending what it means to search for truth and fight for life.

And what it means to believe in something greater.

Dystopian Fiction/Suspense Thriller/Action & Adventure/Censorship & Politics

Be prepared to ponder freedom, the value (and pitfalls) of democracy, morality, and societal division in this dystopian epic told from the perspectives of five different characters ...

In 2196, the...


A Note From the Publisher

Michael Francis McDermott was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1988. In his business career he has worked in Melbourne, Sydney and China.

Michael had a passion for writing from a young age and wrote his first novel as a twelve-year-old. By the age of twenty, he had written several more. He never released them or sent them to publishers. 'In the Name of the Father' is his first released novel, and his first work in dystopian fiction.

In his spare time he enjoys live music, surfing, tennis, guitar, history, major sports events, films, and travel. He lives in Sydney.

Michael Francis McDermott was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1988. In his business career he has worked in Melbourne, Sydney and China.

Michael had a passion for writing from a young age and wrote...


Advance Praise

'Debut author McDermott offers a sweeping dystopian novel about a repressive regime and those who rebel against it … Readers will find themselves invested in what happens when the lives of the characters collide. A futuristic tale that’s heavy on worldbuilding but still races to its inevitably violent conclusion.' Kirkus Reviews

'An extremely entertaining, thought-provoking and enticing book. Spine-tingling from start to finish. An epic.' Margaret Rose

'Thrilling and utterly terrifying. The world the characters live in is either completely unimaginable or horrifyingly real - you decide.' J. Prime

'Debut author McDermott offers a sweeping dystopian novel about a repressive regime and those who rebel against it … Readers will find themselves invested in what happens when the lives of the...


Available Editions

ISBN 9780648752103
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Featured Reviews

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER -> what a suspenseful and thrilling surprise! Every time I stopped reading, I could not wait to dive back in to find out what was going to happen next! The plot was brilliant and puts the reader on edge at the turn of every page. The author managed to deliver five different character perspectives of events that somehow twist together resulting in a story that is fiction, yet so eerily real. Although this is a novel that takes place in the future, the relevancy of the plot indubitably regards to our world today. Before reading, I did not consider Dystopian Fiction as a genre of book that was on par with my literary taste… but I am so glad I took a chance because it blew me away. This is a MUST read and I give it an unquestionable 5 stars!

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is long but for me that only meant that by the end I was so invested in the characters and their journeys that I actually wanted more.
I found the concept intriguing from the start. The Republic is a post apocalyptic society where religion is outlawed and gates separate the strictly monitored citizens from the “rebels” in surrounding districts. The story is told from the perspectives of 5 characters and the writing captures their very different personas excellently. There is our brave hero, an impressionable child of The Republic, a power hungry dictator, a sickeningly evil agent and an innocent refugee mum seeking a new life for her children. As in all good books, all of the characters begin in one place and finish up somewhere different. It’s particularly exciting when these characters finally cross paths and everything “comes together” later in the book.
To me, this book is ultimately about the human experience. While there is some heavy violence, parts indeed quite disturbing, it is all to establish the setting - this is a dark world, a dangerous place. What happens when a people in and around a place like this are told they aren’t allowed to believe in anything? The result is inspiring.
Something else I particularly enjoyed were the “history lessons”. Set almost 200 years in the future, it is interesting to hear recent world changing events from our lifetimes re told in this context. What will the generations in years to come think of us and the events that shaped our world? Then there is the discovery of some “artefacts” leftover from our time. Music, art, poetry - the things of freedom. I became emotional in appreciation of these things we sometimes take for granted.
There is lots of guns, violence, sex, friendship, family, bravery, good, evil, war and thought provoking philosophical propositions. But the truth is that underneath it all, this is a beautiful story with a big heart that makes you question almost everything about our world except the one absolute - that the most powerful thing of all is love.

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