In an effort to conserve the planet’s resources, what if citizens from around the globe were afforded the option to voluntarily enter hibernation for a set amount of time? As it turns out, this idea appeals to many, from those seeking to help the environment in earnest to people looking for a brief respite from their harsh lives. There are the wealthy who wish to extend their lifespan and of course, the terminally ill hoping for a cure in the near future. Still others view hibernation as a way to reboot their lives and start anew when they emerge.

Parts of the story are epistolary, told through letters written by a former “Sleeper” to her psychiatrist, as well as a rambling blogger about to take the plunge, and the journal entries of a man coping with life while his spouse hibernates for four months (one month longer than the standard duration). In between these are chapters detailing the interior layout and operations of the Hibernaculum as experienced by a journalist during an official tour of the facility, a staff member who cleans the Sleepers in their pods, and occasional design notes from the Hibernaculum’s lead architect. All of these combined deliver a startling, uncomfortable, and thought-provoking view of a near-future Earth in crisis. ( )