If the only way to address the global population crisis and the degradation of the planet was to limit everyone's lifespan to just 70 years, would you go along with it happily? Or would you fight to live? In Patricia Donovan's novel The Collections set in 2041, this is the task facing Claris, who works in a government Collections Depot. They're responsible for ensuring 70 year olds are euthanased, then their bodies are processed so they can be returned to the earth as ecologically sound mulch. The Collections is the third novel by the Kapiti Coast based writer. Lynn Freeman talks with her about the rival merits of life and ecological disaster. Patricia Donovan's The Collections was published by Mary Egan Publishing.