The Future

By: Naomi Alderman

Narrated by: Guinevere Turner, Natalie Naudus, Jeremy Bobb, Santino Fontana, Graham Halstead, Lorelei King, Fred Sanders, Naomi Alderman

The bestselling, award-winning author of The Power delivers a dazzling tour de force where a handful of friends plot a daring heist to save the world from the tech giants whose greed threatens life as we know it.

When Martha Einkorn fled her father’s isolated compound in Oregon, she never expected to find herself working for a powerful social media mogul hell-bent on controlling everything. Now, she’s surrounded by mega-rich companies designing private weather, predictive analytics, and covert weaponry, while spouting technological prophecy. Martha may have left the cult, but if the apocalyptic warnings in her father’s fox and rabbit sermon—once a parable to her—are starting to come true, how much future is actually left?

Across the world, in a mall in Singapore, Lai Zhen, an internet-famous survivalist, flees from an assassin. She’s cornered, desperate, and—worst of all—might die without ever knowing what’s going on. Suddenly, a remarkable piece of software appears on her phone telling her exactly how to escape. Who made it? What is it really for? And if those behind it can save her from danger, what do they want from her, and what else do they know about the future?

Martha and Zhen’s worlds are about to collide. An explosive chain of events is set in motion. While a few billionaires assured of their own safety lead the world to destruction, Martha’s relentless drive and Zhen’s insatiable curiosity could lead to something beautiful or the cataclysmic end of civilization.

By turns “playful, incisive, horribly relevant, and surprisingly hopeful” (Lauren Beukes, New York Times bestselling author of The Shining Girls), The Future unfolds at breakneck speed, highlighting how power corrupts the few who have it and what it means to stand up to them. The future is coming. The Future is here.

Entertaining and thought provoking

I really enjoyed the story. At times it is a bit preachy about what humans are doing to the earth - so if that offends you, may want to pass. But I was entertained by the story and characters.

Even better than The Power

Great story, interesting, deeper themes than most sci-fi, and occasionally truly funny. I’ve loved Naomi Alderman since she was d working with Zombies, Run! This was a real treat.

Plot twist

I loved The Power but almost gave up on this book because I just cannot handle more dystopia since the pandemic. Then there’s a plot twist, then another. All artfully done, poignant without being saccharine. Doesn’t end with toxic positivity, nor does it end with despair. Perfect. Also hilarious that it’s available on Amazon and Audible. IYKYK

A wonderful “what if”

The entire premise was amazing. Ideas close to my heart. Weaving the intellectual, technological, and religious ideologies together were interesting. My only complaint the internal monologues were sometimes a bit lengthy.

Solid story from Alderman! Highly Recommend!

So here’s the thing: This book is different from Alderman’s works. It was futuristic—so much more than the power. But I liked the way it ended—the way it glimpsed into the majority of some of the unanswered questions of what happens to greed if left unchecked. I gave it four stars because it was about how to get those wanting change in a room so they could work together for the people and not against them.

Wonderful dialogue builder in this book. It is an opportunity to look at ourselves.