Before reading this book, one needs to understand the meaning of the word “dystopia” as it sums up the theme of the book. Dystopia – a society characterised by human misery, squalor, oppression, disease and overcrowding. Ann Morisy's style is detailed and across disciplines, including theology, psychology, economics and politics, but it is also compulsive reading. Having analysed the fearful times in which we live, she moves on to how society can produce hope and make that hope a reality. She particularly explores how the Church truly has to find “fresh expressions” to meet this pastoral need, and quotes Studs Terkel, the American oral historian - “Hope has never trickled down. It has always sprung up”.