The Farm by Matt Moss

With elements of Lost, Westworld, and many classic scifi tales, The Farm is a simmering piece about the grey area of power relationships.

Cole wakes up without any recollection of the details of his past. He is on a farm with four other men, all 33-years-old and with similar physical characteristics as himself. They are warded over by two farmhands, Mr. Red and Mr. Gibbs. There is also the owner of the farm, a sort of overseer named Mr. Whyte.

The men are instructed to work the land, sleep in the barn, and not to ask questions. But man’s inquisitive nature takes over and the five quickly need to feed a desire to either run away or get answers. Small cracks start to appear in the relationships amongst the men and with the farmhands. Incentives and punishments are doled out for work performance, which only causes more of a rift. And when Mr.Whyte takes a special interest in Cole, things start to go a bit haywire.

I will hold off on writing about anymore of the plot because I don’t want to reveal too much. Moss deals with themes of stoicism, Stockholm syndrome, and group dynamics. Each idea building on the next and twisting up against the characters. I enjoyed the character of Cole. He’s both a part of the group and finds himself broken off and thoughtful. It’s this depth that really contributes to my enjoyment of this short novel.

This was a very quick read… a one-evening read as a matter of fact. The pacing is quick: Moss’s foreshadowing slowly reveals the truth about The Farm, the origin of the workers, and what really happens in the the white farm house. I also appreciated the many allusions the author makes along the way… all important to pick up as the conclusion puts all the pieces together.

Recommended for those looking for a contemplative sci-fi mystery.

From Blurb: This book contains graphic language, violence, and sexual content.