Sweet Harmony is a new SF (and arguably horror) novella by SF/F author Claire North, who has in the past written a bunch of interesting concept SF/F stories. I'd read one of her works before, The Sudden Appearance of Hope, and was not as high on it as others - it had one really interesting idea that it explored well, but muddled it all in the end by trying to mesh it with some other less explored ideas. Sweet Harmony is similarly a concept themed story and since I was given an advance copy by the publisher, I figured I'd try it out.

And well, Sweet Harmony is fine - it explores an interesting idea: a future where people can use nanobots to alter their body's appearance and features - not just the obvious physical ones, but altering ones libido, making it so you never stop smiling (for women of course), making it so you don't need to brush your teeth, etc. - but the companies that offer those nanobots require monthly payments and god help you if you go into debt. It then takes this idea and grafts it to the very real expectations society places upon women, and that men place upon women, to oft horrifying effect. It's a melding of ideas that will become quite predictable early on in this novella to any reader, but North does take the plot in some different horrifying directions by the end - but well...even then it felt almost like there wasn't enough in the concept for a full novella.

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Quick Plot Summary: When Harmony Meads went to college, she expected it was for her to have the experience college was for - to lose her virginity and to have fun. But her attempt at doing so introduced her to "upgrades", nano programs she could use to adjust her body: to prevent pregnancy or STDs, to make her beautiful, to improve her libido, to give her a perfect smile (or make her always smile), etc. Of course, to pay for such programs, one must pay a fee every month and soon Harmony is paying more and more of her salary - and more than that really - on her nanos.

But as Harmony grows up in this world, and finds her desirability both personally and professionally dependent upon these nanos, she faces firsthand the rough reality of what happens when it all comes tumbling down.....
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Thoughts: I tried not to spoil anything in the plot summary, but this novella shows its card quite early, jumping back in time really to show how Harmony got where she is in the present to form whatever surprises it can pull. As I mentioned above the jump, it melds together two concepts: First, the very real world concept that women are forced to alter themselves for others - mainly men - for both professional and personal reasons, even if it means doing so beyond their own wants. Second, the idea that one can - for a monthly fee of course - use nanomachines to actually alter one's body beyond makeup and styling - even to the extent of an "upgrade" that makes a woman constantly smile (guess who suggests that one!) - but of course, if you default on your monthly payments....your nanos get forcibly shut off, with possibly disastrous consequences.

Through these concepts, Harmony finds herself with an abusive boyfriend and an abusive workplace, and unable to see the mother who actually cares for her and wants the best for her (upgrades or no). The story essentially goes in a horror direction by showing a woman torn apart by the interplay of these concepts as Harmony makes increasingly bad decisions since she can't let go of them....even after she takes one major stand midway through, she just can't. And well, it kinda works and is just a bit terrifying...except that it takes honestly a bit too long for everything to play out (even for this being a novella) with Harmony's route to getting to the present day being mostly predictable up to a point. Which just made reading this feel a bit exhausting instead of horrifying for the first half of it, weakening the effect.

In short, Sweet Harmony is a strong melding of concepts into a horrifying reality, but it takes a bit too long on a predictable path to get there. Recommended with that warning.

A sharply observed, albeit depressing vision of the future that is all too plausible. Another very good novella from North, one of the best and most interesting authors writing today.

It would be difficult to say that Sweet Harmony was a “fun read”. In fact, in many ways, it’s just depressing. However, it is very good and sharply observed. I won’t go into too much detail, because it’s short and part of the power of the novella is in the gradual build-up of details and the progression of Harmony’s experiences.

This future is one just as obsessed with their mobile phones and the plethora of apps available thereon. Not only that, advances in medical science has allowed people to indulge their obsession with “perfection”, chasing various ideals — mainly physical — with little to no effort. In fact, many things are now achievable with just a few swipes on your screen and a monthly subscription. The nanos that North introduces in this future were clearly created with the best of intentions (pre-emptive care, etc.), but capitalism has exerted its inevitable influence to turn them and their abilities into pure commodity. Not only that, but the widespread (mis)use of the nanos’ capabilities and possibilities has a larger impact on society as a whole: those who are “naturalists” are considered quirky or backward; those who have enhancements are lauded, promoted, and so forth. Harmony also experiences an intense, manipulative relationship in the shadow of easy upgrades and improvements.

It’s a chillingly plausible vision of a dystopian future. One in which the UK has fallen prey to profit-based medical care, but coupled with the ease of in-app purchases. The numbers may seem small by comparison to US medical debt, but for Brits this is a mostly alien concept.

It’s not a happy read, but it is a very good one. It’s quietly devastating, chilling, and far too plausible for comfort. If you enjoyed North’s novel 84k, then I think you will find this one a rewarding read as well.

Recommended.