lucybruno's review
3.0
Like The Giver for grown ups. Pretty predictable, but honestly sometimes sci-fi still slaps and so I kinda couldn't get enough of it. It's been a while since I read a good dystopian book and it was fun to remember why they were all the rage 10 years ago.
laviskrg's review
5.0
Okay, so I stand corrected and this is extremely rare for me. This book turned out GREAT! Justin Cronin definitely played a hard game with me as a reader, since I abandon books that bore me right off the bat. Luckily, I co-read it with one of my coolest reader friends and he insisted I read on.
Well, this novel is basically 2 novels. For me, the first 250 pages were horrendously slow, silly and overly descriptive, which I never say because I am a fool for obsessive descriptions. But there was something very underwhelming and uninteresting in the entire thing. I did not care about the main character, the wife, the people surrounding them, the rich island, the poor island or anything around and in-between. It is definitely not my type of dystopia, I prefer the violent ones, not the philosophical or pastel-coloured.
BUT then I reached the middle of the book. And it all started to change. The action, the stress, the engagement suddenly grew even though I was still reading just to find out what the fuck this world was. Was it a simulation? The retarded obsession with AI gone haywire? Drugs? Finally, it started becoming clear and when it did, I was awed and humbled. The real trauma began because reality beats any story or make-believe world. The characters ALL started to make sense and that is a lot of work for the author because the cast is quite large and he made me care about every single one of them until the end of the book. There are some leftist ideologies that I thoroughly disagree with (climate porn for instance), but the way in which everything was held together, explained, thrown at the author was a thrill, the meat and bones and blood of a riveting story.
So I highly recommend this slow burn to a fantastic and perfect and human ending. This book makes for a great metaphor for playing god, for the ark, for the relationship between mankind and the only passion that unites all of us: looking up.
Well, this novel is basically 2 novels. For me, the first 250 pages were horrendously slow, silly and overly descriptive, which I never say because I am a fool for obsessive descriptions. But there was something very underwhelming and uninteresting in the entire thing. I did not care about the main character, the wife, the people surrounding them, the rich island, the poor island or anything around and in-between. It is definitely not my type of dystopia, I prefer the violent ones, not the philosophical or pastel-coloured.
BUT then I reached the middle of the book. And it all started to change. The action, the stress, the engagement suddenly grew even though I was still reading just to find out what the fuck this world was. Was it a simulation? The retarded obsession with AI gone haywire? Drugs? Finally, it started becoming clear and when it did, I was awed and humbled. The real trauma began because reality beats any story or make-believe world. The characters ALL started to make sense and that is a lot of work for the author because the cast is quite large and he made me care about every single one of them until the end of the book. There are some leftist ideologies that I thoroughly disagree with (climate porn for instance), but the way in which everything was held together, explained, thrown at the author was a thrill, the meat and bones and blood of a riveting story.
So I highly recommend this slow burn to a fantastic and perfect and human ending. This book makes for a great metaphor for playing god, for the ark, for the relationship between mankind and the only passion that unites all of us: looking up.
myckroft's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aejackson's review against another edition
4.0
From the start, readers are thrown into the deep end of a fantastic science fiction world. Every element hints at a full history and culture. Each page is well developed with expert craftsmanship through the mind of author Justin Cronin.
There is no wading into this novel. Readers are tossed into the deep end of the pool as waves of turmoil toss them about. The story continues through well formed, deep point of view. The actions, emotions, and thoughts are all seated deep in the consciousness of the protagonist. We flow from one thought to the next seamlessly, just as our own thoughts race around, collide, and surface to make themselves known.
The mystery grows with each passing chapter… What is Oranios? When is Arrival? Why are workers revolting? Who is Mother?
The riveting standalone novel concerns a group of survivors living on a storm-torn Earth. Their safety is ensured on a hidden island utopia. However, the truth isn’t quite as it appears.
A mysterious genius known as the Designer founded the archipelago called Prospera which lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. Prospera is an island paradise. The lucky citizens enjoy long, fulfilling lives until their monitors indicate physical health and psychological well-being have fallen below 10 percent. At that point, they are retired, and embark on a ferry ride to another island known as the Nursery. It is here that their failing bodies are renewed, their memories wiped clean, and they restart a new life.
Proctor Bennett is employed by the Department of Social Contracts, and has led a satisfying career as a ferryman. His duties include shepherding people through the retirement process — and, when necessary, enforcing it. But Proctor’s life is about to encounter some very rough waves.
It doesn’t take long for Proctor to find himself questioning everything he once believed, entangled with a much bigger cause than he realized — and on a desperate mission to uncover the truth.
The novel starts off with an exciting flourish, but soon enters a slow and boring portion demonstrating the culture of well-heeled Prosperians living empty lives filled with pointless culture. At times, I wanted to put the novel aside. But I am so glad I waded through the muddled middle and picked up on the exciting plot line once again.
The pace picks up and the story becomes more complex. There are moments of complex intrigue, mystery surrounding untold motives, and a thorough history between characters that Cronin reveals sparingly. The author shows mere glimpses of a greater story below the surface. Cronin has so much in mind for the characters that the reader feels they may just be skimming the surface of the complete and complex world.
About half-way through the story Proctor makes the voyage to the mysterious Nursery. It is this moment when he crosses the Threshold of his hero’s journey. Almost everything to that point of the novel had been the normal business of daily living. Even though the edges were peeling away, breaking apart, and in serious peril from an as-yet-unknown threat. Problems begin mounting for Proctor, which he needs to solve, over the course of the next few chapters. The primary result being full character development. Cronin accomplishes this by revealing a web of complex history, both memories and some interactions, shared by multiple characters.
The story picks up momentum as more answers are revealed, while still larger mysteries raise more questions for readers. The pace of the story flows like a torrent of rushing water hurtling the reader off the edge of an incredible waterfall’s brink.
The craft of uncanny storytelling is alive and well in this novel by Justin Cronin. This tale is a reminder of the classic by Alfred Kubin, The Other Side, published in 1908 in which people in the town are sleepwalking through existence (https://matthewrettino.com/2017/09/30/the-other-side-by-alfred-kubin/). For a more contemporary take, readers might view this story as a less frightening version of the modern film Dark City featuring Kiefer Sutherland.
Justin Cronin became a phenomenon, with his novel The Passage, in 2010. That unforgettable was compared to novels by Cormac McCarthy, Michael Crichton, Stephen King, and Margaret Atwood by both critics and readers. It became a runaway bestseller and enchanted readers around the world.
The Passage spent 3 months on The New York Times bestseller list. The novel was featured on more than a dozen “Best of the Year” lists, including Time’s “Top 10 Fiction of 2010,” NPR’s “Year’s Most Transporting Books,” and Esquire’s “Best & Brightest of 2010.” Stephen King called The Passage “enthralling… read this book and the ordinary world disappears.” The Twelve and The City of Mirrors were also critically acclaimed instant New York Times bestsellers.
Justin Cronin’s work has been published in over forty-five languages and sold more than three million copies worldwide. He is a writer in residence at Rice University, and divides his time between Houston, Texas, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
There is no wading into this novel. Readers are tossed into the deep end of the pool as waves of turmoil toss them about. The story continues through well formed, deep point of view. The actions, emotions, and thoughts are all seated deep in the consciousness of the protagonist. We flow from one thought to the next seamlessly, just as our own thoughts race around, collide, and surface to make themselves known.
The mystery grows with each passing chapter… What is Oranios? When is Arrival? Why are workers revolting? Who is Mother?
The riveting standalone novel concerns a group of survivors living on a storm-torn Earth. Their safety is ensured on a hidden island utopia. However, the truth isn’t quite as it appears.
A mysterious genius known as the Designer founded the archipelago called Prospera which lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. Prospera is an island paradise. The lucky citizens enjoy long, fulfilling lives until their monitors indicate physical health and psychological well-being have fallen below 10 percent. At that point, they are retired, and embark on a ferry ride to another island known as the Nursery. It is here that their failing bodies are renewed, their memories wiped clean, and they restart a new life.
Proctor Bennett is employed by the Department of Social Contracts, and has led a satisfying career as a ferryman. His duties include shepherding people through the retirement process — and, when necessary, enforcing it. But Proctor’s life is about to encounter some very rough waves.
It doesn’t take long for Proctor to find himself questioning everything he once believed, entangled with a much bigger cause than he realized — and on a desperate mission to uncover the truth.
The novel starts off with an exciting flourish, but soon enters a slow and boring portion demonstrating the culture of well-heeled Prosperians living empty lives filled with pointless culture. At times, I wanted to put the novel aside. But I am so glad I waded through the muddled middle and picked up on the exciting plot line once again.
The pace picks up and the story becomes more complex. There are moments of complex intrigue, mystery surrounding untold motives, and a thorough history between characters that Cronin reveals sparingly. The author shows mere glimpses of a greater story below the surface. Cronin has so much in mind for the characters that the reader feels they may just be skimming the surface of the complete and complex world.
About half-way through the story Proctor makes the voyage to the mysterious Nursery. It is this moment when he crosses the Threshold of his hero’s journey. Almost everything to that point of the novel had been the normal business of daily living. Even though the edges were peeling away, breaking apart, and in serious peril from an as-yet-unknown threat. Problems begin mounting for Proctor, which he needs to solve, over the course of the next few chapters. The primary result being full character development. Cronin accomplishes this by revealing a web of complex history, both memories and some interactions, shared by multiple characters.
The story picks up momentum as more answers are revealed, while still larger mysteries raise more questions for readers. The pace of the story flows like a torrent of rushing water hurtling the reader off the edge of an incredible waterfall’s brink.
The craft of uncanny storytelling is alive and well in this novel by Justin Cronin. This tale is a reminder of the classic by Alfred Kubin, The Other Side, published in 1908 in which people in the town are sleepwalking through existence (https://matthewrettino.com/2017/09/30/the-other-side-by-alfred-kubin/). For a more contemporary take, readers might view this story as a less frightening version of the modern film Dark City featuring Kiefer Sutherland.
Justin Cronin became a phenomenon, with his novel The Passage, in 2010. That unforgettable was compared to novels by Cormac McCarthy, Michael Crichton, Stephen King, and Margaret Atwood by both critics and readers. It became a runaway bestseller and enchanted readers around the world.
The Passage spent 3 months on The New York Times bestseller list. The novel was featured on more than a dozen “Best of the Year” lists, including Time’s “Top 10 Fiction of 2010,” NPR’s “Year’s Most Transporting Books,” and Esquire’s “Best & Brightest of 2010.” Stephen King called The Passage “enthralling… read this book and the ordinary world disappears.” The Twelve and The City of Mirrors were also critically acclaimed instant New York Times bestsellers.
Justin Cronin’s work has been published in over forty-five languages and sold more than three million copies worldwide. He is a writer in residence at Rice University, and divides his time between Houston, Texas, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
sturmland's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Child death
pagesplotsandpints's review
4.0
Read Completed 10/10/23 | 4 stars
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book before I started it... It's long, I ended up abandoning the sequels to THE PASSAGE all those years ago when I read them, and I just wasn't sure where this book was going to take me. I did like THE PASSAGE (before I felt too bogged down by book #2 in the series... I don't think I ever made it to book 3), THE FERRYMAN had good reviews, and I'm way ahead on my reading challenge and felt like picking up some longer books.
I'll spare you the book summary, especially since so many other reviewers have recapped the beginning. I'll just get right into my feelings on the book.
THE FERRYMAN was a more "grown up" version of the dystopian that I've been craving since inhaling the genre in my younger reading years. Obviously "grown up" since it's adult and not young adult... and also because the writing style just is much more advanced and sophisticated. The beginning starts of getting to know the characters and introducing the community of Prospera. The whole time I was reading, I knew there was something off about it but the readers just don't know what it is yet. It's supposed to be this utopian community and yet unsettling things are happening, times are changing, and Proctor is caught up in some confusing events.
This is a longer book at over 500 pages but it doesn't feel overly long! The beginning was slow and deliberate, but it let me think about everything that was happening and where the plot could be going. There was definitely a tipping point where things started escalating quickly and then things kept going and going! There was a lot here that I maybe could have guessed at but wasn't expecting and it got really interesting!
There were a few times where things got a bit confusing, switching from one concept/perspective to another, but I think that was also kind of the point because the characters are being pulled in a bunch of different directions.
I wish the ending had just a little more oomph for my tastes, but it really did fit the tone of the rest of the book. I'm glad I read it and I did enjoy it! It maybe not be a crazy stand-out book for me, but I can definitely see the appeal and I'm happy I liked the journey.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book before I started it... It's long, I ended up abandoning the sequels to THE PASSAGE all those years ago when I read them, and I just wasn't sure where this book was going to take me. I did like THE PASSAGE (before I felt too bogged down by book #2 in the series... I don't think I ever made it to book 3), THE FERRYMAN had good reviews, and I'm way ahead on my reading challenge and felt like picking up some longer books.
I'll spare you the book summary, especially since so many other reviewers have recapped the beginning. I'll just get right into my feelings on the book.
THE FERRYMAN was a more "grown up" version of the dystopian that I've been craving since inhaling the genre in my younger reading years. Obviously "grown up" since it's adult and not young adult... and also because the writing style just is much more advanced and sophisticated. The beginning starts of getting to know the characters and introducing the community of Prospera. The whole time I was reading, I knew there was something off about it but the readers just don't know what it is yet. It's supposed to be this utopian community and yet unsettling things are happening, times are changing, and Proctor is caught up in some confusing events.
This is a longer book at over 500 pages but it doesn't feel overly long! The beginning was slow and deliberate, but it let me think about everything that was happening and where the plot could be going. There was definitely a tipping point where things started escalating quickly and then things kept going and going! There was a lot here that I maybe could have guessed at but wasn't expecting and it got really interesting!
There were a few times where things got a bit confusing, switching from one concept/perspective to another, but I think that was also kind of the point because the characters are being pulled in a bunch of different directions.
I wish the ending had just a little more oomph for my tastes, but it really did fit the tone of the rest of the book. I'm glad I read it and I did enjoy it! It maybe not be a crazy stand-out book for me, but I can definitely see the appeal and I'm happy I liked the journey.
overquake's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
kcook14's review
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
wutang13's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25