Proles: A novel about 2084

by Joel Lorentzen

By 2084, Thelites have designed the perfect society. They finally have virtual, scientific models for everything. They live and work in harmonious, anxiety-free, blissful happiness, running models to guarantee safety and equality to each member of their society. They want more than anything to bring these benefits to the PROLES, their less enlightened neighbors. But why do they resist?

Meet Julianna, a passionate scientist who is tasked with plotting infinitesimally small, stellar threats to mankind hundreds of years in the future. She loves her life as a Thelite. But when her father dies unexpectedly, she uncovers secrets about him, about herself, that unravels the fabric of her beliefs.

Now Julianna must navigate a mortal duplicity. She discovers things that her fellow Thelites can’t know. The more she learns the truth, the more she fears what a “perfect society” does to the people who dare to question it.

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2021

Reviews

[LaVina Vanorny-Barcus]

I was lucky enough to get to read it as it was being written and thoroughly enjoyed it! It is very entertaining and it really is thought provoking. I found myself thinking about it long after reading it. A must read!

[Topbookreviewers · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What happens when the world gets too optimized? Joel E. Lorentzen, the author, answers that question in his unique, inventive and thought-provoking novel, Proles - a novel about 2084. In the not too distant future, the gap between the have’s and the have nots is as wide as it has ever been, but not for the reason you may think. Money is not the cause in the future, optimization is. Optimization of what you ask? Of everything and everyone. Lorentzen expertly paints the framework of how civilization enters the next phase after the information age. He shows how endless information is modeled and tested to make a better society, actually the best society. You would think everyone would be on board with that, but the Proles are not.

Lorentzen’s main character Julianna is one of the Thelite scientists. Young and beautiful, life is everything as it should be, perfect. Her contributions to the endless models are small, but she is happy. Everyone is happy. Happy that they are part of the Best Society. Julianna’s world takes a turn when her healthy brilliant father dies during a mandatory scheduled health check at the age of fifty. Pieces of the veil of her perfect world start swaying as random thoughts and images when she sleeps become ever increasing and disturbing. These turn into secrets that have been hidden from her. She is not happy, but can not show that to the others. Julianna is set on a course to navigate her monitored emotions while secretly finding out about her heritage and find her true self and the world around her.

Proles - a novel about 2084, is a sci-fi lovers dream. I have read many stories about the perfect world going bad, but nothing so sinister as this one. Lorentzen’s writing draws in the reader from page one and doesn’t let go. By page thirty I was beyond hooked, I was a bit frightened. You see, I myself, have been working in optimization of various things for twenty plus years. His portrayal of the future had me thinking about how our world is also being “made better,” but who are the ones that determine what is better? What lengths will society go to and who will be pushed aside? What controls will be put in place and how will the masses be monitored? I am really glad this is just a novel, or is it?" TBR-TopBookReviewers

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story lines. I enjoyed following Julianne as she navigates two worlds, proles and Thelites. Her journey is captivating and filled with thought provoking concepts that resonate in 2021. One example:. "To claim to know truth, or to assert control of truth, is a denial of its infinite complexity". Deeply engaging

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story that draws you in and keeps you reading. Interesting and well rounded characters, great world building and an exciting story line.

[Lori and Greg Marsh]

Develops momentum

Was a little tough to get going, but I thought it pulled together nicely about a third into it. Nice work Joel. I hope you continue writing.

[Andrew A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. What America would look like if the Nazis had won WW2

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very impressed by this book because my son is the author. The future scientific features were beyond my comprehension but the story pulled me in.