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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
medium-paced
See this and other reviews at www.thebookdragondotblog.wordpress.com
Rogers creates a tantalizing futuristic world that could be within our grasp if we–as the entire human species on Earth–band together and start working to saving our planet. 2084, though it is only a little over 60 years away, which doesn’t sound that far, is a completely different world from what we know here in the 2020s. Rogers crafts a world where humans work together to combat all the negative influences we’ve wrought over the centuries, and it is something beautiful. Something to look forward to. Something to strive for. We readers follow a Gen Z “old” man by the name of Aldus and his diary writings about the world he’s grown up in, listening to him rambling about his family, his health, and all the changes that have occurred since the 2020s. Rogers weaves a hard sci-fi world with a sympathetic character-driven plot to entice his readers and persuade us that there may be a way we can salvage ourselves.
The first thing noticed about this novel is the science behind the science fiction. I am not a hardcore sci-fi fan, and so there were so many things that simply went over my head. Rogers even went into detail attempting to explain certain concepts to the layperson, and I could not even grasp that. Fortunately, a repertoire of scientific knowledge or know-how about sci-fi in general is not a requirement for enjoying this book. Although, perhaps you devout sci-fi fans out there will be even more intrigued that I was, as you can understand all the evidence behind the actions!
With the form of an older Gen Z writing to his young grandson about the changes in the world, and how it’s so different from the 2020s when Aldus was a child, we readers are given an anchor point to hold onto. We know what a Gen Z looks like. We know about Covid and the many changes that it brought to our world in such a short time. Aldus simply expands those changes, explaining how permanent some “will” be.
It was honestly fascinating to see how large of a difference 60 years can make. And it is all believable. I may not be able to speak about the science, but I can speak about the social aspects and they all make sense. Rogers is calling on humanity to do something. We know that we are experiencing climate change. We know that societal expectations on relationships and identities needs to change, that love and marriage and religion and AI and social media and public transportation and the job market are all facing their own issues right now in our current society. Luckily, he provides a blueprint for a possibility to see through to what life could be in small chunks of chapters, each focused on a specific aspect of life.
Well written and highly persuasive, this character-driven hard sci-fi novel is something that is surprisingly easy to read, even for those of us less left-minded. It also forces us to call into question our current society, and ask ourselves if this is the direction we want the Earth to keep turning. Is there something more we can do?
Highly recommend for anyone open-minded!
Rogers creates a tantalizing futuristic world that could be within our grasp if we–as the entire human species on Earth–band together and start working to saving our planet. 2084, though it is only a little over 60 years away, which doesn’t sound that far, is a completely different world from what we know here in the 2020s. Rogers crafts a world where humans work together to combat all the negative influences we’ve wrought over the centuries, and it is something beautiful. Something to look forward to. Something to strive for. We readers follow a Gen Z “old” man by the name of Aldus and his diary writings about the world he’s grown up in, listening to him rambling about his family, his health, and all the changes that have occurred since the 2020s. Rogers weaves a hard sci-fi world with a sympathetic character-driven plot to entice his readers and persuade us that there may be a way we can salvage ourselves.
The first thing noticed about this novel is the science behind the science fiction. I am not a hardcore sci-fi fan, and so there were so many things that simply went over my head. Rogers even went into detail attempting to explain certain concepts to the layperson, and I could not even grasp that. Fortunately, a repertoire of scientific knowledge or know-how about sci-fi in general is not a requirement for enjoying this book. Although, perhaps you devout sci-fi fans out there will be even more intrigued that I was, as you can understand all the evidence behind the actions!
With the form of an older Gen Z writing to his young grandson about the changes in the world, and how it’s so different from the 2020s when Aldus was a child, we readers are given an anchor point to hold onto. We know what a Gen Z looks like. We know about Covid and the many changes that it brought to our world in such a short time. Aldus simply expands those changes, explaining how permanent some “will” be.
It was honestly fascinating to see how large of a difference 60 years can make. And it is all believable. I may not be able to speak about the science, but I can speak about the social aspects and they all make sense. Rogers is calling on humanity to do something. We know that we are experiencing climate change. We know that societal expectations on relationships and identities needs to change, that love and marriage and religion and AI and social media and public transportation and the job market are all facing their own issues right now in our current society. Luckily, he provides a blueprint for a possibility to see through to what life could be in small chunks of chapters, each focused on a specific aspect of life.
Well written and highly persuasive, this character-driven hard sci-fi novel is something that is surprisingly easy to read, even for those of us less left-minded. It also forces us to call into question our current society, and ask ourselves if this is the direction we want the Earth to keep turning. Is there something more we can do?
Highly recommend for anyone open-minded!
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Email From The Future is a compelling and thought-provoking speculative novel. More importantly, this is a book the world needs. And I don't say that lightly.
What I liked: It's hopeful! It's set in a future where things ARE better, where people managed to fix the shit we're facing now. The publisher's blurb says it all, "From climate change, education, space travel, and religion to sex, food, crime, politics and even gaming, acclaimed futurist Michael Rogers describes the world of 2084. And more importantly, how we can actually get there."
So thank you Michael Rogers, it's a breath of fresh air and I'm sure I speak for millions of people when I say - I needed that!
What I liked less... Well, let's be honest. It's not much of a novel. it's a series of essays disguised as a novel. I'm not going to throw it under the bus for that (as I said, I needed to glimpse this ray of light at the end of the tunnel) but I will take a star off as penalty.
I would give good money to see this book on school curricula worldwide. If you have teenage kids, get them to read it, get them to get their friends to read it. It could have tremendous impact on young minds, with tremendous potential consequences.
What I liked: It's hopeful! It's set in a future where things ARE better, where people managed to fix the shit we're facing now. The publisher's blurb says it all, "From climate change, education, space travel, and religion to sex, food, crime, politics and even gaming, acclaimed futurist Michael Rogers describes the world of 2084. And more importantly, how we can actually get there."
So thank you Michael Rogers, it's a breath of fresh air and I'm sure I speak for millions of people when I say - I needed that!
What I liked less... Well, let's be honest. It's not much of a novel. it's a series of essays disguised as a novel. I'm not going to throw it under the bus for that (as I said, I needed to glimpse this ray of light at the end of the tunnel) but I will take a star off as penalty.
I would give good money to see this book on school curricula worldwide. If you have teenage kids, get them to read it, get them to get their friends to read it. It could have tremendous impact on young minds, with tremendous potential consequences.
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
First of all, I’m a pessimist. When I look at the today’s world I can’t see it changing for better, only for worse. In simple words, I think we’re all f*cked.
This book is a very, sometimes painfully optimistic and sometimes even naive answer to ‘what if’ questions about how we can change our world for the better for the future generations. I love the idea of the letters (emails) from the future in a form of fictional biography of someone who lived through all that trials and tribulations the world had to go through to get better. I really liked some of the things the narrator talked about like personal tutors for every person in the world who creates learning programs based on it’s observations of it’s student through childhood to adulthood or the idea of paying people a Living Income which allows them to participate in society without worrying about satisfying their basic needs.
Unfortunately, as I said before, there is a lot of things I just can’t imagine happening. I believe humans are able to come together in times of crisis but I just can’t see us all actually going against the rich, the governments who we all know don’t give a single f about us, the companies who violate human and animal rights, to quickly enough not only save our planet but also change our societies and get rid of cancers like xenophobia, racism, homophobia etc. It’s just too idealistic to be possible in that short amount of time (letters are from 2084).
However, the book was still an interesting read and if treated just as such it’s a good book, definitely worth reading, even just to get some hope in times like ours.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read it as one of my first ARCs ♥️
This book is a very, sometimes painfully optimistic and sometimes even naive answer to ‘what if’ questions about how we can change our world for the better for the future generations. I love the idea of the letters (emails) from the future in a form of fictional biography of someone who lived through all that trials and tribulations the world had to go through to get better. I really liked some of the things the narrator talked about like personal tutors for every person in the world who creates learning programs based on it’s observations of it’s student through childhood to adulthood or the idea of paying people a Living Income which allows them to participate in society without worrying about satisfying their basic needs.
Unfortunately, as I said before, there is a lot of things I just can’t imagine happening. I believe humans are able to come together in times of crisis but I just can’t see us all actually going against the rich, the governments who we all know don’t give a single f about us, the companies who violate human and animal rights, to quickly enough not only save our planet but also change our societies and get rid of cancers like xenophobia, racism, homophobia etc. It’s just too idealistic to be possible in that short amount of time (letters are from 2084).
However, the book was still an interesting read and if treated just as such it’s a good book, definitely worth reading, even just to get some hope in times like ours.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read it as one of my first ARCs ♥️
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced