A review by dkmorello
The Future by Naomi Alderman

challenging tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I so wanted to love this book, as much as I loved The Power. This book was different in many ways, and not for the better. On the plus side, Alderman’s imagination is huge, but the tale itself is a concoction of the worst human behaviors among the worst people on the planet. A cabal of 5-10 billionaire tech and media CEOs believe the world is heading toward catastrophe, so they build their own escapes for themselves (only for themselves) on idyllic islands and mountains or underground lairs or even after plane crashes. Then they go about making money, more billions, from catastrophe.while human beings suffer. The story plays on our fears of climate crises and self-destruction and on the selfishness of the elites, but neither the story nor the people leading the cabal were the people I wanted to hear about. In fact, the story seemed to dissolve into inchoate concepts and incoherent religious babble. I do not recommend this book when there are so many other books to read.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings