2082: The Chronicles Of Hope

by Robert Breeze

Frank Noon divides opinion. Whilst some say he’s a philosophical genius, some say he’s a fanciful dreamer who deliberately courts controversy with his anti-establishment views about the failings of modern society.

Seemingly nearing the end of his life in politics, he reluctantly fronts an experimental inter-galactic government project late in the 21st century aimed at making life on an overpopulated Earth more sustainable. As he battles to gain control of a relative asylum, consisting of a cross section of the populous as much at odds with themselves as the situation, he unwittingly embarks on a life-changing journey of self discovery.

As they learn more about the project and its intentions how far-reaching might the consequences be for the future of humanity?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Politics, Fantasy

302 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2013

Reviews

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than the brief description I was given, I did not know what exactly to expect when I started to read 2082: The Chronicles of Hope. Much to my surprise, I found the book to be very enjoyable, especially with all of the interesting and off-the-wall characters that I was introduced to. Once I started reading, I really did have a hard time putting the book down.

I was really expecting the book to have more of a sci-fi feel to it, but it is never a strong point in the story. Yeah, the story takes place on a distant planet, in the future, but that is where I feel the sci-fi side of 2082 ends. To me the book was more about the people, their interactions, their diversity and their need to find a way to get along and deal with the situation they have all been placed in.

With the main character, Frank Noon being a politician, obviously there is a political vein to the book, but don't let that scare you away. You may or may not agree with the political views discussed or even the religious views discussed, but it is quite a good book and well worth the read.

There is quite a bit of humour rolled into the book too. If you can relate to comedian George Carlin, you can relate to Frank Noon. As I got further into the book, I actually started to read Frank Noon's dialogue with a George Carlin type voice but with an English a British accent.

I am very much looking forward to reading the next installment in this planned trilogy series.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love or hate this book, but i couldn't put it down. Not at all what you would expect. I kept reading because I wanted to know what happened.

[S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this book a year now, and wasn't quite sure of my feelings back then. Today, with the NASA's project announcement, I was surprised at the resemblance of it with, Frank Noon's adventure on planet Muta. This is a visionary story as I could define it. During my reading, I was incessantly looking for a reference to Orwell's book 1984, and couldn't get a glimpse at it until now: redefining our moral standards, unveiling "hidden" truths of the System. Frank is a politician who's rebelling against it, and in order to get rid of him, he was sent on this mission. He tried on Muta to rebuild human values, and,get humanity (or at least his equipment ) to the right, moderate path : " Everything in moderation can lead to a brilliant lifestyle." He goes on preaching that love is the most passionate faith you can ever feel...while discovering himself. (When will you begin that long journey into yourself? ~ Rumi)
I guess I'm starting the 2083 in no time ! :D

[Abhinav · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Frank Noon, a selfless British politician with profound views on various aspects of life, decides to relocate on a different temporary job that could satisfy all of his monetary needs in a single hit, his life is thrown in to turmoil. FN tries his best to complete his job perfectly, but the British politicians have a different plan up their sleeves. This book, probably one of the first in RB's writing ventures, has some classy ideas which may not suit a diplomat or the common man. The ideas are simply those that have already been repeatedly mentioned in the teachings of the Buddha and several other philosophers of the past (Old wine in a new bottle). Though the flow of the story is very erratic, the book is practically a good intellectual stimulant. Worth the time.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if I liked this or not. Expected more of a Science-Fiction story and got almost entirely a long study in human behavior/psychology mostly ranted by the main character of the book. This struck me as more of a fictional Social-Science case study.

Do not get me wrong as I did like many aspects and found sections quite amusing to read, but I really hope the next volume is considerably better where Sci-Fi truly kicks in rather than ongoing dialogue page after page after page after page between Frank and the other oddball characters.

3 out of 5 for the storyline that took forever to become interesting (last couple of chapters actually).

[Malini · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given a brief description before I started. It went well in the beginning and I could see the beginning of a wonderful sci-fi. But, that is all there to it. Humans (or rather those who are thought unnecessary on Earth) are set to colonise a new planet led by Frank, a politician cum boxer. And then, the book goes on to a lot of character dissection and philosophical stuff. It just couldn't hold my attention. I stopped reading it after about 100 pages, so I don't know if the storry gets better beyond this.

[Hayley T · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably unfair to claim that I have read this book, got about 30% of the way through and had to stop. I'm sure the style of writing and strange characterisation will appeal to some but the very long speeches and stilted language just bothered me to the point where I didn't care about the plot!