| Genre | |
| Title | Fixing Good |
| Author | Greta Derkson |
| Themes | Corporate power • Privacy • Free will |
| Reception | Received critical acclaim but was a commercial underperformer compared to other prominent cyberpunk novels of the era. |
| Plot summary | A hacker named Mila uncovers a sinister plot by a powerful megacorporation to use mind control technology to subjugate the population. Mila teams up with a group of resistance fighters to take on the corporation and its schemes. |
| Publication year | 2015 |
''Fixing Good'' is a 2015 science fiction novel by author Greta Derkson, set in a near-future dystopia controlled by a powerful megacorporation. Blending elements of cyberpunk, thriller, and social commentary, the book explores themes of corporate power, privacy, and the nature of free will in an age of advanced technology.
The story follows Mila, a skilled hacker and member of the resistance movement against the Cybertron Corporation, which has seized control of nearly all aspects of society. When Mila discovers evidence that Cybertron is developing a mind control technology to keep the population docile and obedient, she teams up with a group of insurgents to infiltrate the company's headquarters and stop their nefarious plans.
As Mila navigates the high-tech, hyper-surveilled world of dystopian Neo-Tokyo, she wrestles with her own morality and the line between resistance and terrorism. The novel builds to a climactic confrontation where Mila must choose between escaping to safety or sacrificing herself to disrupt Cybertron's mind control system and liberate humanity.
At its core, ''Fixing Good'' is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked corporate power and the erosion of individual freedom. Derkson presents a future where a monopolistic megacorporation has co-opted the government, media, and nearly all aspects of daily life through advanced surveillance and manipulation technologies.
The novel also grapples with philosophical questions about the nature of free will and personal identity. As Cybertron perfects its mind control system, it forces Mila and other characters to confront whether their thoughts, emotions and choices are truly their own. This ties into broader discussions about the ethics of emerging neural-interface and mind-reading technologies.
Additionally, ''Fixing Good'' touches on issues of privacy, transparency, and the struggle for accountability against entrenched, undemocratic power structures. Mila's journey is one of increasingly desperate acts of defiance against an opponent that seems omniscient and omnipotent.
Upon its release, ''Fixing Good'' received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its prescient exploration of corporate dystopia and the moral complexities of resistance. Many reviewers drew comparisons to classics of the cyberpunk genre like William Gibson's ''Neuromancer'' and Philip K. Dick's ''Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?''.
However, the novel was a commercial underperformer compared to other prominent cyberpunk titles of the 2010s. Some critics argued that Derkson's dense, philosophical approach and lack of blockbuster-style action made it a harder sell for mainstream audiences.
Still, ''Fixing Good'' has since gained a devoted cult following, especially among those interested in the sociopolitical dimensions of science fiction. Derkson's exploration of corporate power, mind control, and the blurring of individual identity have influenced later cyberpunk and speculative fiction works. The novel is now considered an important - if undersold - entry in the genre.
