Future Imperfect

by Babette Gallard

The streets are a spider’s web of new tributaries. Everything is underwater. Don’t worry about us, but nothing is the same anymore. It’s 2050 and the River Rhône has flooded the town of Arles in France so Helen and Isha leave to join their adopted daughter Jana and eleven-month-old granddaughter Ayo in England. But at Calais, they find that if Isha crosses the Channel, she will be immediately deported as her grandparents were Ugandan-Asian. Faced with the terrible dilemma, Helen chooses to remain with Isha. Homeless and now stateless, they decide to seek refuge in a friend’s Swiss mountain chalet, but to avoid immigration checkpoints they have to walk, following the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome, and now the preferred escape corridor for refugees fleeing climate catastrophes. Horrified at her parents embarking on such a dangerous journey, Jana resolves to follow. However, this is not so easy. They communicate whenever and however they can while battling with exhaustion, terror, and virulent xenophobia as people struggle to protect their increasingly scarce resources. The journey ends in Parma, Italy, a perfect destination for reasons they could never have imagined.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published November 3, 2023

Reviews

[A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews]

"Future Imperfect" by Babette Gallard offers a gripping and thought-provoking glimpse into a dystopian world transformed by environmental catastrophe and social upheaval. Set in the year 2050, Gallard paints a vivid picture of a world ravaged by climate change, where the consequences of humanity's actions have reshaped entire landscapes and upended lives.

What sets this book apart is its timely exploration of themes such as immigration, identity, and resilience in the face of adversity. As protagonist Helen and her family navigate the treacherous journey from France to England, readers are drawn into a harrowing tale of survival and sacrifice. Gallard's writing is both evocative and urgent, immersing readers in a world where every decision carries life-or-death consequences.

Fans of dystopian sci-fi will appreciate the novel's exploration of speculative scenarios and its relevance to contemporary issues. Gallard skillfully weaves together elements of climate fiction and social commentary, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply immersive. From the flooded streets of Arles to the perilous trek along the Via Francigena, the novel's settings serve as a backdrop for the characters' journey of self-discovery and redemption.

Overall, "Future Imperfect" is a compelling and timely addition to the dystopian sci-fi genre. Babette Gallard's powerful storytelling and richly drawn characters make this a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and anyone interested in exploring the complex intersection of climate change, migration, and human resilience.

[Anna Stroud]

Everyone should read Future Imperfect.

My favourite line in the book is: "If someone had shown me this future before, would I have changed?"

Babette Gallard's novel shows us the future, imperfect as it may be. It's the year 2050, and the world is shrinking at a rapid pace. A couple in their early 60s try to leave France to return to England, but the English won't allow Isha, who is of Ugandan origin, back in the country. So, they embark on a long walk to Switzerland, where their daughter and grandaughter will meet them, but it's not the promised land they hoped it would be.

What makes this book so real and important is that most of the issues are already happening. In South Africa alone, rising sea levels combined with aging infrastructure is devastating coastal cities like Durban, fires are ravaging the Cape, and Joburg's water infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating. And these are the major cities. Meanwhile, the rest of the world is experiencing wars, hateful nationalism, and xenophobia, while the rich get richer.

I will be 61 in the year 2050. I have no children, so at least I don't have to worry about that. But what unkind world are we leaving for the next generation?

[Anita]

I found the concept of this book interesting and prophetic, however I personally did not appreciate the writing style.
‘Future Imperfect’ is a very disjointed story, which is probably the intention of the author, as the world of her future vision is also “disjointed and fragmented”. But reading the narrative, I missed the flow and reader involvement of an immersive story. I thought the characters were very two dimensional, and could not empathise with their many trials and tribulations as they journeyed to find Nirvana in a disintegrating world. The idea of living in a plausible (not-so-distant) virtual reality universe are well documented, however I always felt emotionally distanced from this world. I did not understand the chapters of Mathilde‘s memories, which I felt slowed down the narrative and added nothing to the impact.
All these thoughts are my personal opinion, however I think the story would have been more impactful with well developed characters and more flow in the writing style to engage the reader on an emotional level.

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller]

This is a terrifyingly plausible near future dystopian novel. Set in 2050, the River Rhône has burst its banks, forcing Helen and her wife, Isha, to flee their home in Arles. They decide to join their daughter back in England, but immigration laws mean that Isha will be deported to Uganda if she enters the UK, due to her grandparents coming from there. They decide, instead, to journey south and meet their daughter Jana and baby granddaughter in Switzerland.
The book follows the two journeys to get to Switzerland. It’s worryingly plausible that immigration laws are tightened to xenophobic levels, and that the only way that people can pay for things or communicate, is via connection to a Big Brother style network accessed by wearing a headband. This makes it very easy to track people too.
All too possible, this is a salutary tale. Well written, and good to see that there are helpers everywhere the women travel.

[Kriss]

Speechless. Enthralling, disturbing, exquisitely written in parts, a book for our times. Set in 2050, a dystopian future where Nature has been trashed and the refugee crisis is now that of unimaginable persecution and despair. We follow an extended family on their flight in search of ‘utopia’ which is no longer over there but has to be found in the now. The surrender to digitalisation is complete, my worst nightmare, despite those of us screaming the warnings re control as it is happening now. People scoff, oh well, that’s what’s going to happen as if there is no other way and this book spells out what may be closer in our future than we think.
We are sleep walking into the pages of this book and my throat hurts……
Bravo Babette and thanks to Pigeonhole the book club.

[Kim Russell]

I chose to read Future Imperfect by Babette Gallard stave by stave with The Pigeonhole because I am partial to dystopian novels. I didn’t realise how close to the bone it would be. It terrified me and enthralled me. I love that it was from womens’ point of view, two older women and one younger with a toddler, which highlighted the danger and fear for me, as I put myself in their shoes at every turn. It was also very effective to have them related in a modern way but separated for most of the terrible dilemma in which they found themselves as climate refugees. A view into an imperfect future – if we don’t wake up and smell the ersatz coffee.

[Roslyn Lindsay]

A dystopia novel looking at the world in 2050.
Everywhere is flooded, rivers have burst their banks, people are homeless and, on some cases, stateless.
We follow the story of Helen and Isha who decide to join their daughter and granddaughter back in England. However, Isha is no longer allowed in the country. They decide to stick together and hope that Jana and Ayo will be able to join them. They initially head for Switzerland buy things have changed. Countries which were once welcoming are no longer. Xenophobia is rife, supplies are short.
A good read but a scary look into what could be or we if we don't get a grip on the climate crisis.
#Pigeonhole

[Christine Rennie]

Future Imperfect by Babette Gillard is a futuristic look at how the world would look in 2050. It is a depressing and miserable life for those left behind.
We find out about the story of Helen and Isha who leave Arles in a France tojoin their adopted daughter Jana and her eleven month old daughter Ayo in England.
They are not allowed to cross the Channel or Isha will be deported as her parents were Ugandan-Asian. They have to walk then to seek sanctuary.
The journey ends in Parma, Italy a perfect destination for the refugees.

[Laura Hamilton]

I like reading Dystopian books as they are often very far from reality but this was a little too close to the bone. Combining the climate crisis, the refugee crisis and the rise of the right wing made a huge nightmare.
An emotional read as I followed Helen, Ish and Jana (and baby Ayo) in their journey to be reunited whilst avoiding capture.
With thanks to the author and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity.

[Gina Stamper]

Future Imperfect is an impressive story! … Babette Gallard gave us characters with great minds and spirit.
I enjoyed these characters and thought they were likable and relatable.
There were a lot of great references, and written very colorfully. The story also had terrific action. I enjoyed how the writing really jumped off the pages

[C. Gonzales]

I found that a lot of the creativity of this work comes mostly in placing the reader right in the middle of the world that the lead character faces from the very beginning.
The author made these characters so very creative and engaging from start to finish.
There is a lot here to enjoy with an action-packed tale with a wide range of ups and downs to keep the reader on the edge.

[Samantha Turley]

I truly enjoyed this. It is an emotional ride while touching on theoretical science with science fiction like future tech and so much more.
It renders/evokes its single emotion very well.

The writing is well done with good descriptions of scenes and builds throughout the book.

Great read.

[Star]

** 3.75-4 stars **

[Gill Marshall]

Interesting read, a little close to home, so quite frightening if you think too deeply about the content. Thank you to Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity.

[Charlotte Wilson]

Thanks to PH for the ARC. A different kind of book for me. Set in the (perhaps not too distant!) future where climate impact has resulted in serious flooding and countries across the world and Europe starting to insulate against ‘foreigners’ coming through their borders; in a world where the Directors set the tone but, in doing so, create greater divides between the social classes. Told through the lens of Jana and her mothers as they try to navigate their way to meeting up again. A really interesting take on the future of technology and how this divides people; great characters and enough action to keep you interested but also wonderfully evocative imagery and you really associate with the characters, the mothers particularly. Worth a read.

[Clare]

Future Imperfect is a terrifyingly plausible version of the future. Climate Change has caused displacement of people across the globe, and everyone is either trying to get home to their own countries, or trying to get to a relatively safe country. The UK is taking a hard line, and those who immigrated to Britain up to two or even three generations before, are being sent back to their ‘country of origin’ - a country that for many is an unknown.

In this atmosphere, Helen and Isha are attempting to return to the UK when their home in Arles is flooded, but as Isha is deemed to be Ugandan (her grandparents came from Uganda as refugees) only Helen can enter. Which for them is unacceptable. So Helen decides she must stay with Isha, and the two of them decide to make for Switzerland and an old friends mountain chalet.

But this is a world where everyone is constantly monitored, and as the weather and climate worsen, so do the actions of the French and Swiss governments. To be caught is to potentially be killed.

Jana, Helen and Isha’s adopted daughter, decides to follow her parents. Unlike them, she is permitted to be in France, so her journey, whilst difficult with her small daughter, is much easier.

AI is needed for every aspect of life in this world, and it’s the ideal way to track those who really don’t want to be tracked. Everything needs to be paid for using this method as well. Fortunately, Helen and Isha meet a terrorist organisation who agree to help them. They’re not the only ones to help the women. It just goes to prove that there are good people everywhere in times of need, they just need to be brave enough to step forward.

There’s a lot to think about in this story and a lot of what happens is already happening to a lesser degree (so far!): floods, fires, famine. The future this novel paints is not a good one.

Oddly, I really enjoyed this, as I do with all of these imperfect future novels. There were parts in the story where I didn’t really want to read on, because I didn’t want bad things to happen to these good people, but I’m so glad I did.
Read with The Pigeonhole.