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A review by anisha_inkspill
Looking Backward: 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy
2.0
I picked this one as I was curious if it was sci-fi.
Its title: Looking Backward 2000-1887 suggests it could have been, which it kind is but this is more didactic than fiction.
First published in 1888, the story is about Julian West, who after waking up 113 years later discovers the world has been much improved from his time, 1887.
The ethos that runs through all of it is equality between all can be achieved when business and running of the country (from government to the judiciary system etc.) are managed nationally.
I didn’t enjoy this as a fiction, but I found it to be an interesting read though I wasn’t convinced if the ideas it presented were too optimistic to actually work.
In his postscript Edward Bellamy says that he wrote this novel believing in this better future to come, which he called the Golden Age.
It’s a nice way to think about things, and why not, there is nothing wrong with being hopeful.
Its title: Looking Backward 2000-1887 suggests it could have been, which it kind is but this is more didactic than fiction.
First published in 1888, the story is about Julian West, who after waking up 113 years later discovers the world has been much improved from his time, 1887.
The ethos that runs through all of it is equality between all can be achieved when business and running of the country (from government to the judiciary system etc.) are managed nationally.
I didn’t enjoy this as a fiction, but I found it to be an interesting read though I wasn’t convinced if the ideas it presented were too optimistic to actually work.
In his postscript Edward Bellamy says that he wrote this novel believing in this better future to come, which he called the Golden Age.
It’s a nice way to think about things, and why not, there is nothing wrong with being hopeful.