The Seeker Effect

The Seeker Effect is a must-read speculative fiction foray into a dystopian future in which the drowning earth’s orbit has shifted, and times are out of joint. Five citizens have been temporarily let out of their isolation pods, and they are ready to do anything to avoid returning to the pointlessness of that incarceration.The book skillfully weaves determination, fear, humour, magic realism, mystery, psychology, science and climate, along with the pace of a thriller.

PRINT VERSION Buy the print version (hard copy) from Modjaji Books directly      

R360.00

DATE

July 2026

GENRE

speculative fiction
i

PAGES

320

ISBN

9781991240620

The Seeker Effect

The Seeker Effect is a must-read speculative fiction foray into a dystopian future in which the drowning earth’s orbit has shifted, and times are out of joint.

Five citizens have been temporarily let out of their isolation pods, and they are ready to do anything to avoid returning to the pointlessness of that incarceration.

The book skilfully weaves determination, fear, humour, magic realism, mystery, psychology, science and climate, along with the pace of a thriller. The tight writing delivers insights on being human and asks how to erode, and maybe decimate, authoritarianism.

Just as Anne’s Bloomer challenged perceptions and handling of aging, ‘Seeker’ takes a wider lens and looks at humanity and the handling of populations. A book for our times.

 

Cover artwork and design by Carla Kreuser

Anne Schlebusch

Anne Schlebusch is the author of Bloomer (Modjaji), named a 2023 Brittle Paper Notable Book in Africa. She has published short stories, co‑authored language textbooks, and written five YA novels, one winning the 1995 MML Young Africa Award. The Seeker Effect is her first speculative novel, exploring dystopian themes. She holds an MPhil in Applied Language Studies from UCT and relishes challenging formats and genres, inviting readers to question what’s considered normal and boundaries about reality. She lives in Cape Town

Anne Schlebusch's author page
Praise

“Propulsive and ingenious speculative fiction, populated by memorable characters who are as smart and funny as they are tenacious. In Bloomer, Schlebusch subverted perceptions of aging. In The Seeker Effect, she reminds us of what it takes to be human and why we shouldn’t forget it.” Penny Haw, author of The Woman and Her Stars.