Future Eden: A Brief History Of Next Time

Future Eden #1

by Colin Thompson

In 2287, after the collapse of civilization, twenty-two-year-old Jay and his alien chicken Ethel are determined to save the remainder of humanity.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Dystopia, Fantasy, Young Adult, Childrens

248 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1999

About the author

Since he started writing and illustrating children's books in 1990, Colin Thompson has had more than 50 books published. He has received several awards, including an Aurealis Award for the novel HOW TO LIVE FOREVER and the CBC Picture Book of the Year in 2006 for THE SHORT AND INCREDIBLY HAPPY LIFE OF RILEY. He has been shortlisted for many other awards, including the Astrid Lindgren Award - the most prestigious children's literature prize in the world.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Colin lives in Bellingen, Australia. His books with Random House Australia include HOW TO LIVE FOREVER, numerous picture books, THE FLOODS series, THE DRAGONS series, THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF HAPPY SADNESS picture book, which has been shortlisted for the 2009 Children’s Book Council Award for Best Picture Book, and FREE TO A GOOD HOME.

Reviews

[Dumisani Dube]

Living in a world where most of the human race has died off may seem like a movie plot, but for jay and his all knowing chicken ethel this is their everyday reality. When I first saw this book I instantly thought it Would be a book only middle schoolers would like, the cover was a chicken riding a piece of cardboard. But when I started reading it I was definitely proven wrong on that assumption. One of the first things the books shows us is how hard mentally it is to live by yourself in a world with such little humans left.”it would be so easy, he just had to climb up, stretch out his arms, and he could fly.” (Thompson 4) when jay said that he was referring to how easy it would be to jump off the side of the building because he couldn’t take the isolation anymore. When I read this I instantly knew that this book wasn’t what I thought it would be originally. “The fire in the apartment had reached the elevator shaft and had blown in the doors. Burning wood and hot metal flew down onto the roof above him” (Thompson 6) this quote is referring to how the fire that jay started willingly in his own building was trapping jay inside by breaking the elevator. Although Jay was trying to leave in my opinion I thought that a little piece of him wanted to stay in the fire because he started it willingly for no real reason. I would recommend this book for people who are interested in books about a post-apocalyptic future and also for people who like books that deal with isolation and mental health.

[Bjørn Hannibal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of my favorite books ever! I even wrote to mister Thompson himself, and he very generously wrote me back with a kind, witty and personal letter.
If you enjoy the vibe Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, you'll love this more dystopian adventure fantasy novel. Go for it!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weirdest book I've ever read

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book a long time ago (I was roughly about 11). I saw the book at my local library and liked the cover, so I checked it out and began reading without knowing what it was about. This had to have been my first book that I found genuinely funny, at that age my interests in literature wise was mostly Goosebumps and Horrible History books, so this was pleasant change and surprise for me.

I was hooked on the book from the first day I started to read it, I found the plot very interesting and characters very colourful. My favourite character at the time was Ethel, the whole idea of a chicken as one of the central characters was absurdly hilarious to me.

After reading the book I returned it the library and eventually forgot all about. But 5 years ago I came across this book while on Amazon looking for something nostalgic to read. I had to buy it and enjoyed reading it the second time almost as much as the first. This book will always remind of being young during that period of my life, for that nothing less than 5 stars will suffice.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently finished this book. It takes place in the future, when Earth's population is dwindling and the main character is the one to save the planet (guided by the alien that created Earth.) It's hard to sum it up just like that, but it's a great combination of imaginative thinking, sci-fi, and young adult.

[Rachel Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I really enjoyed this because It was super quirky, totally unexpected and just something completely different. It has roots in the science fiction and dystopian genres aswell as some fantasy :)

Would recommend to anyone who is willing to give something a little different a go :)

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, could not stop reading and had me waiting for the next book. a cult classic that should be made in to a movie, just as good as "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy".

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Random, but interesting and funny.

[Nathalie Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is the first book that made me laugh out loud! I absolutely LOVE the way Colin Thompson writes. Big fan of his!

[Kagama-the Literaturevixen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read ages ago can remember it was just okayish.