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The Tomorrow File
In the not-so-distant future, planning takes the place of spontaneity when it comes to sex, turning the bedroom into a chamber of terror. In this society, the worst crime of all is to fall in love.
560 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
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294 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Sanders
160 books372 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.
Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 7, 2015
This book was found at a yard sale. I'd heard of Lawrence Sanders. He's the author of the First Deadly Sin and the rest of that series as well as the Anderson Files and other excellent thrillers I've personally enjoyed. I had not heard of him as a writer of Science Fiction. This book is an outstanding example of the genre.
Copyrighted in 1975, and published by G.F. Putnam's Sons, the world created by Mr. Sanders is an alternate reality more frightful than the one that actually happened. He has brilliantly created new language, Em's and Ef's for men and women, using for sex, serving instead of working, rulers instead of bosses, and he charged into creating a future any of us would fear. To be honest, I'm surprised that much of the slang he created for the story didn't make it into the mainstream.
More frightening is the picture of overwhelming government control, of sidelining "obsolete" people. Then there's the constant drive for profit. That word has a twisted definition but when viewed through the lens of time, perhaps not so twisted after all.
If you're interested in considering how science might control the future, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It has given me a new perspective on how easy it would be to turn society upside down.
I have found this book on Amazon so if your library doesn't carry it, you can get it there. Happy reading!
Copyrighted in 1975, and published by G.F. Putnam's Sons, the world created by Mr. Sanders is an alternate reality more frightful than the one that actually happened. He has brilliantly created new language, Em's and Ef's for men and women, using for sex, serving instead of working, rulers instead of bosses, and he charged into creating a future any of us would fear. To be honest, I'm surprised that much of the slang he created for the story didn't make it into the mainstream.
More frightening is the picture of overwhelming government control, of sidelining "obsolete" people. Then there's the constant drive for profit. That word has a twisted definition but when viewed through the lens of time, perhaps not so twisted after all.
If you're interested in considering how science might control the future, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It has given me a new perspective on how easy it would be to turn society upside down.
I have found this book on Amazon so if your library doesn't carry it, you can get it there. Happy reading!
February 3, 2016
This is definitely one of the weirdest books I've ever read, but that's not a bad thing. This could really have been divided into three shorter books since together this book is a slog to get through.
Set in an alternative future of the 1990's where there is a drug for everything, the government intrudes deeply into private lives and petroleum is turned into food products, the story follows Nicholas Bennington Flair through the course of several different plot lines.
This book has been extensively reviewed and summarized so I won't repeat many of the same thoughts reflected in those writings. I found the end disappointing, although expected with the foreshadowing throughout the story, but that should not dissuade the interested reader.
Written in the 70's, the author's view of the future is of course influenced by the thoughts and trends of that decade, extrapolated out into the unknown. Much of the future tech is quaint by today's standards (obso!) and there are mature themes/situations throughout.
As a new author myself, I found the first person perspective of the story interesting and instructive.
Definitely an interesting read, with much "profit" in its conclusion.
Set in an alternative future of the 1990's where there is a drug for everything, the government intrudes deeply into private lives and petroleum is turned into food products, the story follows Nicholas Bennington Flair through the course of several different plot lines.
This book has been extensively reviewed and summarized so I won't repeat many of the same thoughts reflected in those writings. I found the end disappointing, although expected with the foreshadowing throughout the story, but that should not dissuade the interested reader.
Written in the 70's, the author's view of the future is of course influenced by the thoughts and trends of that decade, extrapolated out into the unknown. Much of the future tech is quaint by today's standards (obso!) and there are mature themes/situations throughout.
As a new author myself, I found the first person perspective of the story interesting and instructive.
Definitely an interesting read, with much "profit" in its conclusion.
October 9, 2015
A detective story with science fiction twists... most of which have become reality long since this was written.
At the time it changed how I view commercial Pharma, and the potential for computers as communications devices. While the speculative technology seems old hat by today's standards, remember when this was written, and enjoy the well written tale.
The only bad thing about this book is that the author is no longer with us, and unable to continue this line of thought.
Be sure to check out his other genre books, because they're all really good stories, not the usual niche mystery or other conventional novels.
At the time it changed how I view commercial Pharma, and the potential for computers as communications devices. While the speculative technology seems old hat by today's standards, remember when this was written, and enjoy the well written tale.
The only bad thing about this book is that the author is no longer with us, and unable to continue this line of thought.
Be sure to check out his other genre books, because they're all really good stories, not the usual niche mystery or other conventional novels.
July 15, 2014
Thriller about government and bio experiments. This book was deeply disturbing decades ago, and realize now that I should have paid attention to its message!
October 10, 2019
a mostly unknown gem from 1973 by the author who became known for THE FIRST DEADLY SIN and THE MCNALLY CAPERS . when i read this novel back in 75 ( the first paperback edition) i did not want to see the year 2000! SANDERS' look at the immediate future is horrifying. predicting the future is always risky business but SANDERS fills his futuristic tale with the most incredible plot twists and memorable caracters. welcome to a world where many people are born in a test tube with genetic ratings ( those who were born naturally are known as OBSOS for obsolete) the dept. of health and welfare is now known as the dept. of public happiness or the dept. of bliss. almost all drugs are legal. people drink vodka and smack and smoke marijuana as readily as we drink vodka and tonic. pot is legal and sold by the government . one brand is called BOLD. when you have sex with someone that person is known as a 'user". if you enjoyed the sex then it was "profitable".( martha and i used each other last night , it was quite a profit". money is called LOVE. ( sorry nick but theres no love in this project lets move on to something else) . food and drink as we know it is almost all genetically engineered from petro or oil.people eat "petroveal" and "propeas" and drink wine that tastes like fuel. occassionally you can find a real bottle of wine made from REAL grapes that will cost a fortune.( what do you want to eat tonight nick, fake italian or fake french?) an artificially inseminated male with a grade a genetic rating is catogorized as a AINMA-A. the government controlls all genetic ratings and if you dont have an A rating you cant have children. the united states is a huge corporation heading towards leading a corporate world. known now as simply THE US ( the u.s. of america was dropped ) any nation can join the US. costa rica and purto rico where the first to join. england is thinking of joining the us at the time of writing. medical and genetic engineering are racing ahead with startling and frightening rapidity. the govt. absolutley rules everything. nicolas bennington flair is the main carachter whos job among other things is to protect and keep alive a dying obso social genius named hyman lewishon. he comes up with the most frightening and horrifying idea i think ive ever read in any sci fi or social fiction tale that i wont even hint at to avoid spoiling it for those who havent read it yet. his friend and user is paul bumford . also his understudy . they work directly for angela lee berri, the director of the dept. of bliss. the reader is taken on a ride with so many plot twists and turns and surprises through the machinations of corporate power and political leaders that after a while nothing is as it seems. who is screwing who?? right up to the final line of the book the suspense is just incredible. a tale of futuristic social and governmental workings that is sometimes funny,always frightening and endlessly fascinating. SANDERS imagination must have been working overtime on this one. never again did he rise to this level. never again did he write anything like it. the first part of the book is titled "X". the second part of the book is titled"Y". the third part is titled "Z", the final chapter ,only one paragraph long is titled "A". see what i mean about different? ive read this book 3 times and will probably read it again. dont miss this almost unknown gem.
March 16, 2021
From the instant you start this book, you know that you have entered into a fully realized future world. The Tomorrow File very much deserves any comparisons to Brave New World and 1984, both for its clinically detached expression of a nightmare vision, and its unique lexicon of terms. But it is no mere imitator, and is fact a worthy addition to the dystopian canon.
Here the prolific Lawrence Sanders employs the same hard, dry style as found in The First Deadly Sin, and treats us to five hundred pages of laboratory science, weird drugs, and loveless sex—all within a society that is as hedonistic as it is controlled.
But we see it without judgment because we are so deeply entrenched alongside elite scientist Nicholas Bennington Flair. We watch with morbid fascination as promiscuous automatons plot and scheme like in any great historical tragedy, but here the paradigm is a drugged-out surveillance state.
I was also reminded of a party scene in the original Rollerball movie, where the beautiful and intoxicated guests are so bored that they decide to incinerate several large pine trees for sport. Although in this book everyone is ostensibly working toward a hi-tech utopia, it is the imbalance against struggle and natural limits which has so corrupted the characters. Animal desires have become unmoored from consequences, and thus amplify and metastasize to grotesque proportions.
I'm a big fan of the chilling visions that 1970s science fiction specialized in, and so I think Sanders's only foray into this genre may in fact be his masterwork. The inventiveness, sweeping story arc, immersive story, and mix of humor and shock all combine to make for a gripping read that I didn't want to end.
Note: My version of the paperback (featuring an alarm clock on navy blue cover) offers very little in the way of specifics regarding description of the story and style, which was in fact a plus. Other editions mention people who "dare to love," and that really seems to oversimplify the intense experience that reading The Tomorrow File is. Because any "I want to be human" type of sentiments a la Winston Smith are not so explicitly stated, and even until the end Nicholas only grazes against such thoughts. Whether he has simply corrupted his body and soul beyond redemption, or the society in which he lives makes depth of soul impossible, the reader will have to come to their own conclusion.
Regardless, the allegories and predictions that constitute the bulk of the novel are most important of all. Can human nature be completely circumvented or rerouted? Or are certain traits immutable, and will trying to tamper with them only bring about Biblical levels of recrimination?
Here the prolific Lawrence Sanders employs the same hard, dry style as found in The First Deadly Sin, and treats us to five hundred pages of laboratory science, weird drugs, and loveless sex—all within a society that is as hedonistic as it is controlled.
But we see it without judgment because we are so deeply entrenched alongside elite scientist Nicholas Bennington Flair. We watch with morbid fascination as promiscuous automatons plot and scheme like in any great historical tragedy, but here the paradigm is a drugged-out surveillance state.
I was also reminded of a party scene in the original Rollerball movie, where the beautiful and intoxicated guests are so bored that they decide to incinerate several large pine trees for sport. Although in this book everyone is ostensibly working toward a hi-tech utopia, it is the imbalance against struggle and natural limits which has so corrupted the characters. Animal desires have become unmoored from consequences, and thus amplify and metastasize to grotesque proportions.
I'm a big fan of the chilling visions that 1970s science fiction specialized in, and so I think Sanders's only foray into this genre may in fact be his masterwork. The inventiveness, sweeping story arc, immersive story, and mix of humor and shock all combine to make for a gripping read that I didn't want to end.
Note: My version of the paperback (featuring an alarm clock on navy blue cover) offers very little in the way of specifics regarding description of the story and style, which was in fact a plus. Other editions mention people who "dare to love," and that really seems to oversimplify the intense experience that reading The Tomorrow File is. Because any "I want to be human" type of sentiments a la Winston Smith are not so explicitly stated, and even until the end Nicholas only grazes against such thoughts. Whether he has simply corrupted his body and soul beyond redemption, or the society in which he lives makes depth of soul impossible, the reader will have to come to their own conclusion.
Regardless, the allegories and predictions that constitute the bulk of the novel are most important of all. Can human nature be completely circumvented or rerouted? Or are certain traits immutable, and will trying to tamper with them only bring about Biblical levels of recrimination?
January 4, 2022
This story was nice and erotic, but that's really all the positive thing I can say. The USA has been all but overthrown by the turn of the 21st Century, and it's portrayed as the natural outcome of modern liberalism.
As a sign of the sheer bizarreness, notice how the tendency to oppose the death penalty became rampant, rabid use of the death penalty. The MC's simple solution to the lowered ratings for public and televised executions: change the mode from electrocution to hanging. He notes that eventually this will start boring the audience, and they'd have to go with drawing and quartering.
And the "Bureau of Linguistic Truth" has dubbed the Republicans the "Whigs".
As a sign of the sheer bizarreness, notice how the tendency to oppose the death penalty became rampant, rabid use of the death penalty. The MC's simple solution to the lowered ratings for public and televised executions: change the mode from electrocution to hanging. He notes that eventually this will start boring the audience, and they'd have to go with drawing and quartering.
And the "Bureau of Linguistic Truth" has dubbed the Republicans the "Whigs".
July 18, 2009
An interesting, involved book of manipulation, espionage, betrayal and love in a futuristic society.
This society is rather pre-dystopean, where the scientists and governments and top orginazations put plans in action to control minds, thoughts, feelings, actions, etc.
Very well written and told. The story is multi-dimensional and there are plots within plots with new twists thrown in at any moment.
This society is rather pre-dystopean, where the scientists and governments and top orginazations put plans in action to control minds, thoughts, feelings, actions, etc.
Very well written and told. The story is multi-dimensional and there are plots within plots with new twists thrown in at any moment.
March 11, 2011
This novel, written in 1975, tells of a future set in 1998 that is a far cry from the reality of what 1998 was actually like. Sanders imagines that the biological revolution has resulted in genetic classifications based on whether one is 'natural,' produced by artificial insemination, artificial inovulation, cloned, or otherwise created without the necessity for sexual intercourse by one's parents. The 'objects' (people) of tomorrow eat food synthesized from petroleum and soybeans, enjoy unrestricted (either morally or legally) 'using' (sex) and an addictive soft drink called Smack. There is a pharmacological solution for everything, almost all with no side effects. The narrator begins the book as the Assistant Deputy Director of Research and Development for the Department of Bliss (a division of the US Government). He is involved in shaping the society of the future, which is entirely unfamiliar to the reader, as well as political intrigue , which sounds exactly like something that would happen today.
The novel is divided into three 'books,' which I think, had they been sold separately and marketed as a trilogy, could have made both the author and the publisher quite a bit more 'love' (money). Each book has a distinct plot and climactic resolution, although the final resolution lacked in that not all of the loose ends were either tied up or revealed to the reader.
It was a little difficult to get used to the jargon involved, especially as men and women are referred to as 'ems' and 'efs' respectively. I had to go back and read the first chapter again once I realized that.
My only other complaint is that the summary on the back of the book has little to nothing to do with the actual contents of the book. DO NOT judge this book by it's back cover.
Overall, an interesting work about futuristic society and the consequences thereof. I think the author is striving for 'cautionary tale,' but I don't think I'd mind living in that kind of world.
The novel is divided into three 'books,' which I think, had they been sold separately and marketed as a trilogy, could have made both the author and the publisher quite a bit more 'love' (money). Each book has a distinct plot and climactic resolution, although the final resolution lacked in that not all of the loose ends were either tied up or revealed to the reader.
It was a little difficult to get used to the jargon involved, especially as men and women are referred to as 'ems' and 'efs' respectively. I had to go back and read the first chapter again once I realized that.
My only other complaint is that the summary on the back of the book has little to nothing to do with the actual contents of the book. DO NOT judge this book by it's back cover.
Overall, an interesting work about futuristic society and the consequences thereof. I think the author is striving for 'cautionary tale,' but I don't think I'd mind living in that kind of world.
September 22, 2011
This is definitely a horrifying brilliant story, but would have been much better if written in a more continuous linear style.
Sanders moves from an event to another suddenly , almost abruptly !! the Hero moves through tree or four events and places in the same page !!
Another regrettable thing is the missing of a clear problem description in the beginning of each of the tree books that constitute the novel, this sometimes gave me the impression that Lawrence Sanders writes without plan, and he just puts words on papers as they come into his mind.
I gived it a third star for the brilliant ideas worthy of the best thriller and pollar I've ever read, I have no idea of sci fi novels that have been written in the late 1970s and first 1980, but I think this novel, especially its third part, inspired the ROBOCOP Series.
Sanders moves from an event to another suddenly , almost abruptly !! the Hero moves through tree or four events and places in the same page !!
Another regrettable thing is the missing of a clear problem description in the beginning of each of the tree books that constitute the novel, this sometimes gave me the impression that Lawrence Sanders writes without plan, and he just puts words on papers as they come into his mind.
I gived it a third star for the brilliant ideas worthy of the best thriller and pollar I've ever read, I have no idea of sci fi novels that have been written in the late 1970s and first 1980, but I think this novel, especially its third part, inspired the ROBOCOP Series.
November 17, 2020
THE TOMORROW FILE BY LAWRENCE SANDERS was written back in the 70's. It gives us a fictional view of what lies ahead for us thru they eyes of Dr. Nicholas Flair.
I have read and re read this novel and each time gives me the creepy crawlies. The novel speaks of Efs and Ems, male and female. Artificial insemination, cloning genetic manipulations among a host of other "improvements" to the world thru science. Science, in the novel rules the world,makes all decisions and is so far out there in left field it boggles the mind. Sanders has taken the what if's and turned it into are really great read called THE TOMORROW FILE.
I have read and re read this novel and each time gives me the creepy crawlies. The novel speaks of Efs and Ems, male and female. Artificial insemination, cloning genetic manipulations among a host of other "improvements" to the world thru science. Science, in the novel rules the world,makes all decisions and is so far out there in left field it boggles the mind. Sanders has taken the what if's and turned it into are really great read called THE TOMORROW FILE.
September 5, 2007
I can't remember much about the book other than the fact I couldn't stop reading it. It was a very fat book so it took almost a whole weekend of just reading it. I was in an apartment in College. My girlfriend had to drive home leaving me alone. I was reading about a paperback every week or so, and just happened to pick this up someplace and once I started it there went the weekend. This is also one of the very few books that I've ever read twice. Now you'd think I could remember more about it.....maybe I need to read it again?
August 22, 2012
This book speculates about a number of technologies, conventions and social concepts that, by this date, actually didn't end up too far off the mark. Sanders envisioned ATM's when that idea was still long in the future.
While some of his concepts, by now, may seem a little dated and even quaint, the vision he presented of the future is, at times, uncomfortably revealing of the present.
An important book, these days, if viewed as a cautionary tale.
Interesting, none of the Lawrence Sanders books I've read since (although I liked them) came even close to this in theme or style.
While some of his concepts, by now, may seem a little dated and even quaint, the vision he presented of the future is, at times, uncomfortably revealing of the present.
An important book, these days, if viewed as a cautionary tale.
Interesting, none of the Lawrence Sanders books I've read since (although I liked them) came even close to this in theme or style.
September 30, 2017
This is one of my most fav. books in the world. I'm re-reading it right now and having such a laugh re how he saw the future and what we actually have. i.e. his idea of flashers versus having a cell phone. Hilarious, so clever. Just love it so much. Also, he was very ahead of his time re his main character having sex with men and women and nobody thinking anything about him swinging back and forth, just normal. I'm surprised at the level of detail in his writing and that I was even able to read it the first time when I was young.
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July 19, 2021This book is as important,as prophetic and prescient as Fahranheit 451, 1984, and Brave New World.
It is a terrifying view of a world where everything has a price and nothing is valued, where the only "choice" for the poor is between starvation or prostituting their children,where the concept of altruism is dead and everything is negotiable, where the "vaiues" of the Weimar Republic are predominant, and the rich indulge in every kind of vice and perversion imaginable. very much like today, in fact...
It is a terrifying view of a world where everything has a price and nothing is valued, where the only "choice" for the poor is between starvation or prostituting their children,where the concept of altruism is dead and everything is negotiable, where the "vaiues" of the Weimar Republic are predominant, and the rich indulge in every kind of vice and perversion imaginable. very much like today, in fact...
December 17, 2009
Orwellian tale told by a high ranking scientist in the bureaucracy, Nick Flair. Very interesting story with lots of ideas about the future. In this future, money is called love, making love is called using, and using drugs is called snack time. Just kidding on the last, but they may as well have called it that. Most practical insight gleaned from the Tomorrow File: Petroleum is too valuable to burn as fuel.
July 14, 2015
Oddly enough, the book was one of the first memories that i have of reading about lgbt couples and was my light bulb moment
January 5, 2017
The worst - couldn't get through it! I rarely quit a book, but this is completely irrelevant 32 years after it was written.
May 4, 2017
This is my favorite quirky book of all times! I read it when it first came out, again in my 20s and again in 2000. I think I need to find the copy somewhere and read it yet again.
The plot was convoluted, the characters quirky and the language used took a while to get used to, but the plot isn't the point. I loved the way this book made me look at the rules of society, government and the evolution of language.
While I'm not a big sci-fi fan, I am impressed that he did foresee some of the future we now live in: ATMs, debit cards, acceptance of gay lifestyles. There's a lot that hasn’t happened, that I wish had (like everyone rents all fashion items so no big shopping bills, wearing the same thing twice, so no laundry ).
I believe it was Sander's best book.
The plot was convoluted, the characters quirky and the language used took a while to get used to, but the plot isn't the point. I loved the way this book made me look at the rules of society, government and the evolution of language.
While I'm not a big sci-fi fan, I am impressed that he did foresee some of the future we now live in: ATMs, debit cards, acceptance of gay lifestyles. There's a lot that hasn’t happened, that I wish had (like everyone rents all fashion items so no big shopping bills, wearing the same thing twice, so no laundry ).
I believe it was Sander's best book.
February 9, 2011
Provocative, intelligent, well-written tale about our future. Sanders' best work.
He coins a whole new language to reflect the future as he envisions it: money becomes "love", older people are "obsos", work becomes "service."
Plenty of great sex, fascinating science, political intrigue, betrayal, ambition, and a dog named Fred.
I've read this book about 20 times and always find something new to think about.
He coins a whole new language to reflect the future as he envisions it: money becomes "love", older people are "obsos", work becomes "service."
Plenty of great sex, fascinating science, political intrigue, betrayal, ambition, and a dog named Fred.
I've read this book about 20 times and always find something new to think about.
July 28, 2010
I loved this book. Its ingenuity & perspective, not to mention tongue-in-cheek pokes at society & culture as a whole made it a great read for me.
If you have a copy available or can get one, I'd do it. Very entertaining.
If you have a copy available or can get one, I'd do it. Very entertaining.
November 4, 2012
It is many years since I read this book but I do remember it being very good.
Although I don't remember a lot of the book's detail I will always remember that it introduced me to the idea of a TomorrowFile. I still the term/concept today when organising work.
Although I don't remember a lot of the book's detail I will always remember that it introduced me to the idea of a TomorrowFile. I still the term/concept today when organising work.
July 7, 2020
Read in 1977. A science fiction novel about a future where love is outlawed.
April 16, 2022
It's 'third-world-this-country'....(hence the opposite of 'merry' to describe).
June 7, 2019
I so wanted to love this book. When I was in high school (late 80's) I discovered Lawrence Sanders and read him almost religiously. My favorites were the Deadly Sin series. I had sort of forgotten about him until recently and I was intent on finding some of his books. They are all mostly out of print and only available through Kindle and other such digital platforms. I guess I'm a bit 'obso' as I still like a book in my hands so I found this one, which I had read good reviews about, on ebay and was thrilled to get it and touch base with an old favorite author.
I only finished it because I had went to such lengths to get it. I didn't enjoy it at all. It took so long to get through it and it was so weird with all the em and ef references, using, love, profit, Department of Bliss, etc. There were no good descriptions and it read with all the excitement of an appliance manual. I kept thinking it has to get better, sadly it never did. The ending was super predictable.
*SPOILER *
He pretty much leaked it on the very first page of the book in the character descriptions.
It also didn't help that there were really no likable characters and the few that had potential were such minor players you never found out.
I appreciate his view of the future and I'm sure at the time it was written it probably played a lot better. I kept that in mind as a I read it. I definitely saw some influence on later books like the Hunger Games series... the colorful outfits, hair, and flamboyance of the characters. The districts and government departments.
All in all, I wish I had the hours back that I spent trudging through it. I'm hopeful that the Deadly Sins series is as good as I remember because I bought all those on ebay too.
I only finished it because I had went to such lengths to get it. I didn't enjoy it at all. It took so long to get through it and it was so weird with all the em and ef references, using, love, profit, Department of Bliss, etc. There were no good descriptions and it read with all the excitement of an appliance manual. I kept thinking it has to get better, sadly it never did. The ending was super predictable.
*SPOILER *
He pretty much leaked it on the very first page of the book in the character descriptions.
It also didn't help that there were really no likable characters and the few that had potential were such minor players you never found out.
I appreciate his view of the future and I'm sure at the time it was written it probably played a lot better. I kept that in mind as a I read it. I definitely saw some influence on later books like the Hunger Games series... the colorful outfits, hair, and flamboyance of the characters. The districts and government departments.
All in all, I wish I had the hours back that I spent trudging through it. I'm hopeful that the Deadly Sins series is as good as I remember because I bought all those on ebay too.
May 14, 2018
3.5 stars because it's good and weird and gross and weird.
Some parts I actually took a pic of and sent to my husband. There are parts that I feel our society now has embraced, and parts that are very science fiction. But who knows, maybe in a few decades they'll be science fact. Which is scary. Definitely a weird book, but I'm glad I read it.
Some parts I actually took a pic of and sent to my husband. There are parts that I feel our society now has embraced, and parts that are very science fiction. But who knows, maybe in a few decades they'll be science fact. Which is scary. Definitely a weird book, but I'm glad I read it.
June 24, 2025
It was going well, I could've given it a 4 star. But the last part, ruining it for me. From my point of view the treason was obvious, I cannot understand how he could not see it.
It was a treason circle. Perhaps it is the superfast moving society, he was getting old, which aligns with his last thoughts. So, I knew what was about to happened, it lost the excitement for me.
It was a treason circle. Perhaps it is the superfast moving society, he was getting old, which aligns with his last thoughts. So, I knew what was about to happened, it lost the excitement for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2018
Re-reading this ( I remember trying it some decades ago), I realised a couple of things: 1) What a truly horrible writer Sanders is, and 2) what an amazing lack of imagination he had, especially for something that is basically science fiction.
October 10, 2020
A futuristic look at the United States of the future on technological, political, and emotional planes. The story of a scientist who goes up in the favor before sliding down badly. Reminiscent of Orwell.
March 6, 2021
Read this as a young adult in the mid 90’s and even today it still stands out as one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read. Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley Brave New World it is not, but pretty damn close, and maybe even superior in some regards.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews