New York 2140

 New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson

Another climate change tome from Kim Stanley Robinson. It's hefty, but really fun to read. 

The lower part of New York City in 2140 has been flooded by rising sea levels, as have most of the other coastal cities in the world. The streets are canals now and people still living in those areas get around in boats instead of cars. Buildings partly underwater are eroding unless they were built on bedrock; those ones are still standing solid and filled with residents. Even underwater there are people living and businesses operating, down where it's easier to hide - yourself or any questionable activies you may be involved in.  

This novel focuses on one particular building, the Met Life Tower, and its residents: Vlade, the building superintendent; Amelia, an influencer who live-streams from her blimp as she moves endangered animals to safer environments; Franklin, a financier; Charlotte, a housing advocate and chairperson of the Tower tenants assoc.; NYPD Inspector Gen (Gen is her name, not her title); Stephan and Roberto, two young boys who hunt for underwater treasure and occasionally need rescuing; and Mutt and Jeff, hackers living in the "hotello" at the top of the Met Tower.

The story begins with Mutt and Jeff being kidnapped, Inspector Gen investigating. The kidnapping is connected to finance, Franklin's area of expertise, and eventually all the characters will play a part in the hunt for the missing men, becoming a family of sorts along the way. 

The story is at times absolutely riveting, but a few sections - like detailed explanations of financial matters - I found tedious, but then I'm not a financier. I liked the story, the climate science, and the way the characters and their relationships were developed - especially Vlade, he's a great character. 

This book, like the author's The Ministry For the Future, is full of details from his seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of climate change, and here, building construction and finance as well. It's an education if you can stick with it through all the particulars and technicalities. When I finish one of his novels I feel like I've really accomplished something, and that's not a caution but a recommendation. 

A challenge, and well worth it!