Dry

Dry takes place in a near-future California, which has been plagued by drought for years. The main action of the novel begins when Nevada and Arizona—states that, like California, receive part of their water supply from the Colorado River—shut the dams, cutting off California’s primary water supply. To preserve what’s left for essential services, California authorities then cut off water to homes and businesses. As the crisis, called the Tap-Out, spirals out of control, wildfires…

When the taps run dry in California and people suddenly find themselves without access to drinking water, protagonists Alyssa and Kelton watch their once-safe suburban neighborhood descend into chaos. Due to a lackluster government response to the disaster and the danger inherent to the situation, society essentially breaks down. As this happens, the characters consider and explore several theories about what humans’ true nature really is, and how government mediates that nature. Most prevalent are…

In the minutes after the Tap-Out begins, Alyssa turns on the news, looking for guidance and coverage of the Tap-Out. However, aside from a public statement from California’s governor and a single notification warning Californians to conserve water, Alyssa is shocked to realize that there is, at least at first, no comprehensive coverage of the Tap-Out. By exploring what the government and media response to the Tap-Out is, and showing the immense consequences of the…

From the moment the taps run dry, teenaged Alyssa recognizes that the Tap-Out is going to be a transformative experience for everyone in California. As the novel progresses, it highlights how the Tap-Out brings about her, Kelton’s, and Garrett’s coming of age as it forces them to mature before they’re truly ready to do so, particularly as they encounter situations that challenge their deeply held beliefs about themselves and their world. Kelton, for…