The Future
Table of Contents
About The Book
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.
Reading Group Guide
Naomi Alderman
Discussion Questions
1. In The Future, the heads of tech companies are portrayed as having an overwhelming influence on the world. How does this reflect current real-world concerns about the power of tech companies? Do you think this portrayal is exaggerated, or is it a plausible future scenario?
2. Martha and Zhen come from very different backgrounds and find themselves in the middle of a world-changing conspiracy. How do their personal histories and motivations shape their actions throughout the story? What do they represent in the broader narrative?
3. The book explores the idea of predictive analytics and artificial intelligence—how do you think these technologies might impact society if they were only in the hands of a few powerful individuals or corporations?
4. The novel raises questions about the ethics of technological advancements and their potential for both good and harm. What are some ethical dilemmas faced by the characters in the story, and how do they grapple with them?
5. The book suggests that power can corrupt those who possess it. Discuss how the billionaire characters in the story wield their influence and how it changes them.
6. Which aspects of the book did you find most thrilling or thought-provoking?
7. The characters in the story are confronted with the possibility of a cataclysmic end of civilization. What do you think the book is trying to convey about the fragility of our modern society and the potential threats it faces?
8. Throughout the novel, technology plays a central role in both the problems and potential solutions. How does the author balance the portrayal of technology as a source of danger and a source of hope? What do you think is the book’s overall message about the role of technology in our lives? Do you agree with this message?
9. The Future touches on themes of resistance and standing up to the few in power. What strategies do Martha and Zhen employ to challenge the status quo, and how do they inspire others to join their cause?
10. The novel’s title, “The Future,” suggests a sense of inevitability and anticipation. What do you think the author is trying to convey about the future and our role in shaping it? How does the book leave you thinking about the future of technology and society?
About The Author
Naomi Alderman is the bestselling author of The Power, which won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and was chosen as a book of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and was recommended as a book of the year by both Barack Obama and Bill Gates. As a novelist, Alderman has been mentored by Margaret Atwood via the Rolex Arts Initiative, she is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and her work has been translated into more than thirty-five languages. As a video games designer, she was lead writer on the groundbreaking alternate reality game Perplex City, and is cocreator of the award-winning smartphone exercise adventure game Zombies, Run!, which has more than 10 million players. She is professor of creative writing at Bath Spa University. She lives in London.
About The Readers
Naomi Alderman is the bestselling author of The Power, which won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and was chosen as a book of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and was recommended as a book of the year by both Barack Obama and Bill Gates. As a novelist, Alderman has been mentored by Margaret Atwood via the Rolex Arts Initiative, she is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and her work has been translated into more than thirty-five languages. As a video games designer, she was lead writer on the groundbreaking alternate reality game Perplex City, and is cocreator of the award-winning smartphone exercise adventure game Zombies, Run!, which has more than 10 million players. She is professor of creative writing at Bath Spa University. She lives in London.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (November 7, 2023)
- Runtime: 13 hours and 3 minutes
- ISBN13: 9781797163635
Raves and Reviews
"Guinevere Turner and Natalie Naudus confidently lead the sweeping ensemble of voices who tell this devastating story of the end of the world, caused by the evils of technology and power. Once the fate of the planet becomes clear, a small group of super wealthy individuals jump into action, seeking refuge in secret predetermined locales. Assisted by the key performances of Graham Halstead, Lorelei King and Santino Fontana, Alderman's audiobook may peer bleakly into the future, but the details are of the moment. Aggressive AI applications mine massive data from everyday human behavior, while rich tech companies employ algorithms to steal labor from the masses under the guise of "efficiency." Jeremy Bobb and Fred Sanders round out this stellar group of performers."
– AudioFile Magazine
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Future Unabridged Audio Download 9781797163635
- Author Photo (jpg): Naomi Alderman Annabel Moeller(0.1 MB)
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