NZ Author: Julius Vogel - Anno Domini 2000 or Woman's destiny

Back in 1889 Sir Julius Vogel prophesied women presidents, prime ministers, and leaders of the opposition. He advocated social welfare and state housing, and foresaw a "noiseless telegraph." So far so good. 

His Anno Domini 2000 or Woman’s destiny is a mix of melodrama and utopia, thriller and science fiction and above all a book with a message. As a novel it is dated and clunky, with cardboard characters. The narrative is constantly interrupted by long-winded discursions on finance and politics. 

This book is worth reading, not for its silly plot, but as an insight into the mind of a nineteenth century Prime Minister of New Zealand. His “feminism” before there was a feminist movement, his “social welfare ideology” long before there was a Labour Party, go hand in hand with a naïve adoration for a lasting British Empire, an Empire which re-absorbs the dissolved United States of America! 

Though his name is associated with a Science Fiction award, do not expect a SF novel…

Reviewed by Anneke a Campo.

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