“The Dimensions of A Cave” by Greg Jackson

Greg Jackson’s debut novel, “The Dimensions of A Cave” is a spot-on story for our times. We are experiencing an age where many believe that we are living in a simulation, while many others can’t wait until we get deeper in there. Jackson crafts a speculative narrative that provides plenty of food for thought.

“The Dimensions of A Cave” is a whole lot of book. There is more depth and detail (Philosophy, History, Politics, Science, Religion, Art, Academia, Defense Contracting) than I was expecting. That all works for me. But Jackson keeps it flowing throughout. The dialogue is consistently laugh-out-loud funny. The clever banter, the give-and-take between journalists, academics, scientists, spies and thieves, the dive bar vibe, and the plight of the squatters is all wonderful.

There are so many twists and turns that I wasn’t always sure just where I was but, in a strange sense, it didn’t really matter. All the set scenes were carefully crafted, screenplay ready, and a hoot to read.

At the end of the day Jackson poses some serious questions: Who are we? Do we have/want agency? Is it possible that the next step in our obsession with domination leads to a world where Generative Artificial Intelligence technology creates simulacrums of Virtual Reality where the line between real and imaginary is blurred, if not wiped out completely? Are we just pawns that the powers that be move around their chessboard to maintain and grow their wealth and power?

“The Dimensions of A Cave” is a deeply subversive novel, well worth the effort for the serious reader.

Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for the eARC.