Description
Overload by Arthur Hailey is a suspense thriller set in California’s power industry, exploring the pressures and risks behind supplying electricity to a modern society that depends on constant energy. The novel follows Nim Goldman, a senior executive at GSP&L, the large utility company responsible for delivering power, heat, and light to millions of consumers across the state. As electricity demand continues to rise, Nim and his colleagues face mounting challenges, including environmental debates, public protests, labour disputes, and the ever-present risk of system failure. Hailey uses the inner workings of the power grid and the politics surrounding energy production to build a detailed portrait of an industry under strain. Alongside the corporate and technical tensions, the story also examines the personal lives of those involved, revealing how professional decisions and ethical dilemmas affect families, careers, and communities. Set against the backdrop of California’s growing energy needs, the novel highlights themes of responsibility, technological dependence, and the fragile balance between progress and sustainability.
Overload will appeal to readers interested in character-driven thrillers that combine industry insight, social issues, and the human consequences of complex systems.
