With The Future, Alderman paints a bleak picture of a not-so-distant world. Three tech giants control everything, and there's a massive event at the beginning of the book that has the three megalomaniac CEOs scrambling for their end-of-the-world bunkers. We go back a little in time to see how we got there, and flesh out the cast of characters and the rest of the action.

Luckily there are characters to root for, megalomaniacs aside. We learn about them through their partners, assistants, spouses. The character histories are rich, creative. The whole book is creative, with spectacular world building. The scenarios are unexpected and the twists keep coming. I was gobsmacked more than once, and my advice is to NOT read anything about this book - no plot description, definitely not the Goodreads blurb. Go in cold and you'll be rewarded.

My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

A follow up that stands just as strong as its predecessor, exploring what are unfortunately very timely themes, I truly cannot recommend this novel enough. I've lived through three natural disasters and have seen the evil glint in a neighbor's eye and then also seen the open arms of a community to people who lost everything. This novel's characters explore that duality of humankind, propelled by a riveting plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

QUICK TAKE: It takes a minute to get into THE FUTURE, the follow-up book from THE FUTURE author Naomi Alderman, but once you get a handle on characters and the story set-up, you are in for a fantastic, futuristic techno thriller treat. Set 5 minutes in the future, the book follows a group of survivalists who work to pull off a daring heist to save the world from tech giants whose greed threatens life as we know it. The book tends to take itself too seriously at times (I found myself skimming the biblical interstitials), but really ends up taking off when it leans into the world-building and survivalist backstories, and I found myself completely captivated by the time the characters find themselves in a Hunger Games-esque showdown on a remote island. Throw in a really well-executed twist ending, and I would say this is well worth adding to your #tbr.

This book was such a thrilling ride into a not-so-distant future that feels scarily real. From the get-go, I was hooked on the gripping exploration of how tech, income gaps, and corporate power could shape our world. Pacing is a bit slow at first, but after sticking with it for a while I was hooked! Characters like Lai Zhen and Martha pack a punch, adding heart to the story. Alderman's mix of timelines and interactive bits keeps you on your toes, making it a ride worth taking. So, if you're into gripping dystopian tales that make you think, "The Future" is your jam.

"The Future" is a gripping, fast-paced read with concise chapters and a unique take on a Reddit-like platform filled with surprising twists!

In this narrative, three billionaire tech CEOs prepare for the impending apocalypse, raising the question of whether an alternative solution exists instead of letting the wealthy destroy the Earth. The author skillfully constructs a captivating world and well-developed characters, immersing readers in a realistic yet fantastical setting. The narrative unfolds within a rich backdrop of technological advancements, maintaining a focused narrative while hinting at the potential for numerous other novels involving a diverse cast of characters. This intelligent and essential read delves into universal issues that impact us all, confronting the unsettling realities of the contemporary world. The story's twists, debates, and discussions add depth and make it a highly recommended experience.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This was my introduction to the author, so no, I have not yet read The Power. Will I read it now that I've read this? Very likely, although I think I need to be in the mood for a dystopian read. If it's at least as good as this novel, I know I will enjoy the experience.

The description of this book pretty much describes the book, but the details are what make it interesting. The story does take a long time to build, and I was a little confused about the philosophical online discussions that took place throughout the book. But mostly because I didn't understand who the characters were. But stick to it, because the discussions do become relevant.

I did like how the author took the relevant tidbit that our world seems to be run by a small handful of ridiculously wealthy and powerful individuals, and the impact they COULD have on the state of our planet if they weren't so selfish. This story was an interesting amalgam of science fiction, dystopia, heist story, philosophy and religion. For the most part, character development focused on a couple of characters, but the rest of the characters were more superficial. Still, despite taking my time over this book, I did find it interesting, and there were many ideas explored that would be interesting to discuss. This is partly why I think I might like her other book, The Power.

If you're looking for something a little different and you enjoy a mix of genres, give this one a try!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As I was reading this book I had really conflicting feelings. I definitely had a hard time with the first third of the book. I kept feeling like I didn’t know exactly where we were going and also I wasn’t sure I wanted to be on the ride. But then there were some strong poles within my brain that I wanted to keep going to see what was going to happen. And I’m really glad that I listened to that because I ended up liking the book a lot.

I think the overwhelming feeling that I have is that this book is not necessarily a friendly book. It’s not setting out to make you feel good about really anything. Human nature, social media, capitalism, climate, disaster. None of it is happy, and the book is very delighted in making sure you know that , there’s not a lot of good under the sun.

But, the character development is great, and I ended up being interested in that and what “the future“ was really going to look like if Alderman could land this plane.

It felt to me like Naomi. Alderman really wants a literary career that is like Anne Rand, and Margaret Atwood, combined. In fact, we learn in the afterward that Naomi Alderman has been mentored by Margaret Atwood, and I think you can really see that in her choice of subjects, and also in the way that she writes.

Because Naomi Alderman is not interested in whether or not you have a good time reading her books. She’s not even necessarily interested if you completely understand what’s happening in her book. she sort of has an idea where she wants to go and if you are on the train when it leaves the station, great. But if you’re not, then maybe you just weren’t ready for it.

I don’t read enough books like that and I felt kind of fizzy and interested as I got through especially the back half of this book which is really well done. I should also say that in the back half of this book the plot line really really both comes together beautifully and moves quickly. And, provides some semblance of hope for humanities future.

Overall, I’m going to give this book a solid 4.25 stars. I’m really glad I read it, and Naomi Alderman remains an auto-buy author for me.

I liked the author's previous book so stuck with this one. The first 3/4 was tough. I am not a huge fan of sci-fi or dystopian fiction so I'm not the best judge. The end pulled things together.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I thought it was imaginative, suspenseful, and slightly terrifying at how close to the truth if feels. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian books The Future feels like the prequel to any of those stories.

I really wanted to love this book, it just wasn't for me unfortunately, especially for a dystopian genre.

I liked this a LOT more than The Power. I remember just not really connecting to The Power and finding it having an agenda. I didn't feel the push of an agenda as much in this one. The forum chats were a bit meh and those were very hard to read in e-book form but I also had the paperback so I mostly read from that. Some parts got bogged down but overall, I enjoyed the "mystery" of the rabbit and the fox and where this lead. I will be checking out Alderman's next novel.

Naomi Alderman is a fabulous author. The Future is her latest novel about our present, out past and our potential future. The Future jumps right in with both feet. It describes out past and our present through a lens we only glimpse through and don't want to look at too closely but she helps put it in focus.

The world is run by a few tech billionaires who want more - they already control the world, but they don't like the competition and want more, and more. They thrive on the competition and the division and are waiting for a coming apocalypse so they can gobble up what remains. They plan on surviving the coming cataclysmic event because they have built bunkers where they could live for years until it is safe to come out and seize control. There are people who are survivalists who are doing the same thing but on a lesser scale.

The Future is told through various points of view including a survivalist website thread, a person who gives presentations on survival techniques, an ousted tech billionaire, the three current tech billionaires, one of their wives, one's personal assistant, and another's youngest child. One of the points of view is from a person who was a child refugee who survived war. Another was a person who grew up in a religious cult and escaped. Another is a philandering misogynist. Two are grieving the loss of their spouse. In some ways they are just like us trying to make their way in the world, and in so many ways they are foreign to our concept of humanity.
Alderman does an excellent job helping us like them, pull for them, hate them, and see them struggle with their decisions. She makes us wonder if we would do the same thing. She makes us think that maybe they did the right thing... or did it really make a difference.

If you haven't read Alderman's previous novel "The Power", I highly recommend it as well.

Thank you Net Galley for an opportunity to read this book for free in advance in return for an unbiased review.

This book was a DNF for me....

I just just couldn't follow what was going on. I enjoyed her previous novel so I selected this.
I appreciate the Publisher and NetGalley for the early read (I refuse to give a DNF a 1 star so I gave this a 2)

The Future hovers at the precipice of a dystopian near future fueled by the three tech billionaires and their families and end of the world preppers ready to see what comes next. Told through a variety of perspectives, like in The Power, the characters will be changed by what occurs, but will the world be a better place for their actions? Are we optimistic enough to believe in the possibility of change?

The narrative is broken into six parts centered on specific plot points. There is the world as it exists, and the possibilities of the future, unknown in the present. Our cast is small, there are the three tech billionaires: Lenk Sketlish, Zimri Nommik and Ellen Bywater portrayed as being focused on advancing their control, power and privilege with no regards to the cost to the wider society. They have families or trusted associates, Badger Bywater a privileged heir that is something of the family black sheep. Martha Einkorn escaped child of a cult known for their leader's charismatic preaching. And Selah Nommik, a very skilled coder who had the misfortune to marry Zimri. They are joined by Lai Zhen who leaved through the fall of Hong Kong and became a social media influencer focused on what to do in survival scenarios. Following an interview Zhen and Einkorn have a night of pleasure together that both feel could lead to more, if catastrophe doesn't interfere.

Einkirn is the one outsider of the group above, she has no familial connections, but is trusted to be level headed and able to manage the impulsive temper of her boss. Her background in the cult is detailed, along with her road to success after leaving the cult before its sudden and tragic ending. One of her father's (Enoch) best known speeches is one of the Rabbit and the Fox. Fox loved to hunt and live in a transient small group where rabbit preferred to settle in place and put down roots and claim ownership. This story is told in different ways, sometimes through the story of Lot and Sodom, other times through this tale of animals. Like any fable, it presents a view point and asks the listener to consider which path is best.

What fuels the books action is the tech billionaires preparations for the end of the world, and their control of an app that was sold to them as a warning system. Readers will journey throughout the world, in modern technological marvels, hidden bunkers, nature preserves and message boards. Corridors of privilege, simulated realities and outsider communities. It goes off and they flee. What will be left of the world?

An inverse of the typical dystopian tale, this near future story suggests lessons applicable to our present society.

This book started out incredibly strong. Like, I-need-to-know-what-happens-next strong. But ultimately things began to go all over the place and I lost interest.

Here are the things I loved about the book: the characters, first and foremost. I was intrigued by each one of them and I found them all very very interesting.

Second, all the survivalist info. I learned a lot about preparing for an apocalypse in a way that is practical, not sensational. I really loved the story of Enoch and his disciples and how they viewed the world. I honestly want to read more on survivalists and about how I can set myself up when the world inevitably turns into The Last of Us.

Finally, I was REALLY intrigued by what the tech billionaires planned and also disgusted. I would not be surprised if billionaires like Elon and Jack pulled some mess like what is in the book, if they haven’t already. What’s wild is that I recently saw a news article about something similar (I won’t spoil it) but on a smaller scale.

Now, what I didn’t like. The pacing after the first third of the book. It went off the rails and I kept going back a few pages to see if I had missed something. Some of it just made no sense and took me out of the book completely. By the time I got to the last third of the book, I just wanted to be done. I didn’t really care what was happening anymore and there was one truly egregious thing that was done to one of the characters that made my blood boil.

I’m glad I took the time to read the book. It isn’t terrible or I wouldn't have finished it, but I’m glad I’m done.

This one was so clever and really interesting once I got into it. It took me about 80-ish pages to get there becasue I felt like I was dropped into the world, but other than that I have no critiques. And it's not even a critique, just a reality with a book like this one! I think this is such an interesting commentary on AI and the state of the world should we continue to allow things to progress unchecked.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

To say that the richest of the rich are a drain and a curse to the rest of us is hardly a new topic. Here the truly powerful are whittled down to 3 horrible people who are removed from the larger world. Amazingly the world is better without them. I wish it were that simple.

The Future is considered science fiction by most accounts but I see it as much more of a dystopian/utopian work. It is easy to make comparisons between the billionaire characters in this book with our real life technocratic billionaires. They aren't inherently evil but are doing evil things to the planet, and the planet's inhabitants, through their business activities. The theme of this book is how far those who feel disenfranchised and helpless are willing to go to make things right. It is the machinations of the various players that gives this book its richness.
There is a definite Orwellian flavor to The Future. The future is sometimes what the technocrats say it will be but in the last analysis it is the lower tiers of the power pyramid who become the true movers and shakers. The ending is a bit anticlimactic but getting there is most of the fun.

Another banger from Alderman! I'm a huge fan of THE POWER, and THE FUTURE has her signature world building and propulsive narrative right from the beginning. As she examined physical power in society in, yes, THE POWER, THE FUTURE is an examination of the forces leading us to the end of civilization, and if there's anything we can do to stop it. I found this book just as thought-provoking as THE POWER, and I know I'll return to it and read it again. I admire how the author is able to pull together so many threads currently in the news and make them work in a cohesive fictional context. A great follow up!

I went into this expecting a traditional dystopian book where the world ends. I was happily surprised with it! Those all feel the same but this never seemed to follow the same tropes and the twists at the end were satisfying.