EDEN: A Beautiful Future For Free, Forever

by Aalam Wassef

Hiroji, 13, lives in a Federation where 85% of the population have become 'Redundants', unemployed, losing their jobs to robots.

Parked in a housing project where life is hard, he and his neighbours hear about Eden, lavish villages built across the country where millions of Redudants will be migrated to enjoy 'a life of outstanding comfort, for free, forever'.

Eden is immediately dubbed 'a milestone in the history of mankind', 'the highest expression of solidarity, humanity and togetherness' towards those who have been sidelined by thriving biotechnological economies.

Skeptical, Hiroji's mother takes her children to Eden only to discover that their village is indeed beautiful and luxurious. Their new home reminds her of the fully-serviced 'Life Pad' she could afford when she was still a federal judge.

Hiroji, elated, embraces his new life where school is an immersive virtual experience taking him across space and time, where everything, even food, is predictive and tailored to his smallest likes and preferences.

All is well and exciting till a malfunction occurs, raising Hiroji's suspicion about Eden's true purpose.

EDEN is a fast-paced adventure book for young adults ages 13 and up. Set in the year 2043, it raises challenging and timely questions about virtual reality, robotisation, artificial intelligence, fake news and transhumanism.

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2019

About the author

Aalam Wassef is an Egyptian visual artist whose work has been exhibited internationally. His artwork is featured in three anthologies, notably MIT Press's Art and Conflict in the 21st Century. Wassef is also a contributor to several French daily newspapers and magazines, including Liberation, La Croix and ELLE.

EDEN is his debut novella.

Reviews

[Naomi Diallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden is a novella about a future where only a small minority has a life, a home and an income, while the vast majority has become “redundant”, i.e useless to the economy and to society altogether. The country they live in is supervised by a corporation (Avalon) that “steps in” after the elected government declares bankruptcy and eventually collapses. Avalon’s CEO, a good man in appearance, promises “a beautiful future for free, forever” to the legions who have been parked for years in a huge ghetto called “Merryland”. He vows to “do right”, to reconcile society, restore fairness, solidarity and human dignity. Unlike the dark, chilling atmosphere of The Handmaid’s Tale/1984/Farenheit 451, the world depicted in Eden is bright, loving, caring, socially responsible, politically and ethically correct in everything it does, thinks and says. Nonetheless, their actions are (to this reader and surely to you!) unbearable. To me, what's all the more chilling is that this story is about us, right now. In many ways and in many places, we have already become these people, justifying the unjustifiable while convincing ourselves that we’re still “good people” doing the right thing. I’m 5 star-ing this story although it’s true that it’s still a bit green and could have slowed down in certain parts. I’m a fan of futuristic/dystopian/speculative stories and if anything, this book is visionary. I feel it’s the kind of story we’ll look at in 10-15 years and say: “Huh!’. There’s also a lot of humor going on in there (subtle and witty not ha ha ha). I loved the end. I read that last chapter again and again and again. I feel this story should/could keep going. Sequel?

[Omayma]

This novel came up on my timeline and I thought about reading it with no high expectations. Unfortunately, it was not a good choice. I have the impression that the author wanted to write a dystopic novel and had a good base to start with but it ended up as a shallow and boring story. I felt there was no depth in the characters to get the reader intrigued or attached to them. The flow of the story couldn't get me hooked up and I just finished it coz it was short!

[K.C. Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

EDEN was a quick read full of boundary-crossing technology and existential questions, though its execution and ending left a lot to be desired. The writing was also choppy and lacking in areas.