Belka “Walli” Beckwith is the lone American astronaut aboard the International Space Station, on a mission with two colleagues from Russia, when a resupply cargo vehicle goes rogue and slams into the station. Battered, bruised and bloodied, the three astronauts are ordered to evacuate the station and return to Earth for medical treatment. Only Walli “prefers not to” leave, effectively hijacking the ISS and creating an international incident of epic proportions. What would lead her, a decorated Navy officer and fighter pilot, to disobey orders and put herself in legal jeopardy across no fewer than 25 countries and risk her life alone in space? To Walli, it’s all about doing what she feels is right to highlight injustice, kick off a movement and force world leaders to reckon with their actions before it’s too late. It’s a low Earth orbit sit-in with hopes of influencing a better world.
Despite the setting in space and providing scientific details of the ISS and space travel, Holdout is not science fiction ala Andy Weir’s novels. It’s more a commentary on political and environmental issues wrapped up inside a slow burn, ticking clock, race to the finish thriller. It’s a contemporary tale about the current state of divisive and dishonest politics, injustice towards indigenous peoples, and ecological calamity. But it is also a story about hope. About the power of protest and how one person can mobilize a passionate group of people to unite, make their voices heard and successfully make a difference in the world. And how it is possible for good people to tune out their political party and financial donors to listen to their conscience and reclaim their humanitarian values.
Maybe that sounds like a fairy tale in today’s world rather than a thriller, but there is plenty of suspense within the book to keep you engaged and wanting to find out what happens next. Holdout is a compelling and thought-provoking book that reminds us of the Golden Rule, the importance of family and friendship, and standing up for what you believe even when it’s hard and puts yourself in a difficult and uncomfortable situation. A perfect book for those who like reading about politics, deep diving into the issues of our time and thinking about how they would act if put into the same situations as the characters in the novel.
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