What do you think?
Rate this book
The Slummer: Quarters Till Death
An impoverished runner, from an era of prolific genetic engineering, chases his dream of the 5000-meter national title.⠀
In 2083, Benjamin Brandt is among the millions of “slummers” who are relegated to poverty and struggle on the outskirts of society. As a minority growing up in the gritty underbelly of Cleveland’s Industrial Valley, Ben sees the way genetically designed “elites” live only from a from the shadows of public spaces people like him are forbidden to use, and on TV, where he watches the enhanced athletes compete at an extraordinary level. For years, a national track championship has inspired Ben to ferociously cultivate his own talent as a runner.
As Ben logs miles through the potholed, darkened streets of his community, an idea takes hold of him that could turn his highly stratified society upside down. He isn’t prepared to lead a revolution; however, he is prepared to run like a slummer with nothing to lose.
In 2083, Benjamin Brandt is among the millions of “slummers” who are relegated to poverty and struggle on the outskirts of society. As a minority growing up in the gritty underbelly of Cleveland’s Industrial Valley, Ben sees the way genetically designed “elites” live only from a from the shadows of public spaces people like him are forbidden to use, and on TV, where he watches the enhanced athletes compete at an extraordinary level. For years, a national track championship has inspired Ben to ferociously cultivate his own talent as a runner.
As Ben logs miles through the potholed, darkened streets of his community, an idea takes hold of him that could turn his highly stratified society upside down. He isn’t prepared to lead a revolution; however, he is prepared to run like a slummer with nothing to lose.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2021
99 people are currently reading
1692 people want to read
About the author
Geoffrey Simpson
6 books90 followersGeoffrey Drew Simpson
Born: February 1978, Cleveland, Ohio.
Geoffrey Simpson was born and raised in Avon Lake, Ohio, just outside Cleveland. He attended Avon Lake High School and competed in the state cross country and track & field championships on multiple occasions.
At Kent State he graduated from the School of Technology and was a member of the Track & Field and Cross Country programs. His primary events were the 5,000 meters (14:57) and 10,000 meters (31:14).
After graduating from Kent State University, he built a career in program management throughout various technology companies and is now a global PMO manager.
His family of two boys, Jonathan and Henry, and his beloved wife Lili, impassion his craving for adventure. An adventurous spirit which is passed down to his sons. Now living with his family in Minden, Germany, in the pre-dawn hours, he is an author.
Geoffrey is the author of the middle-school aged adventure-mystery series, The Three Hares, and the near-future, speculative fiction novel, The Slummer.
Check out his website to further explore his many passions and intrigues.
www.geoffrey-simpson.com
Born: February 1978, Cleveland, Ohio.
Geoffrey Simpson was born and raised in Avon Lake, Ohio, just outside Cleveland. He attended Avon Lake High School and competed in the state cross country and track & field championships on multiple occasions.
At Kent State he graduated from the School of Technology and was a member of the Track & Field and Cross Country programs. His primary events were the 5,000 meters (14:57) and 10,000 meters (31:14).
After graduating from Kent State University, he built a career in program management throughout various technology companies and is now a global PMO manager.
His family of two boys, Jonathan and Henry, and his beloved wife Lili, impassion his craving for adventure. An adventurous spirit which is passed down to his sons. Now living with his family in Minden, Germany, in the pre-dawn hours, he is an author.
Geoffrey is the author of the middle-school aged adventure-mystery series, The Three Hares, and the near-future, speculative fiction novel, The Slummer.
Check out his website to further explore his many passions and intrigues.
www.geoffrey-simpson.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
Read
September 12, 2022Thank you for your interest in THE SLUMMER: Quarters Till Death. I had a blast writing it, and hope you enjoy reading it!!! Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2021.
January 22, 2021
In a future world, it seems that society still hasn’t learned to share. There are the “haves” who have been genetically enhanced, born as designer babies and those relegated to the slums, the workers without enhancements. One slummer had a dream to compete with the best of the enhanced best in the national track competition, something that had never been done, an impossibility…
THE SLUMMER by Geoffrey Simpson is a tale of courage against all odds as one young man pushes against a world that holds him and his “kind” down. Well written, there is a message of oppression, hope and determination. Is this where we are headed in spite of all the talk of affirmative action? Thought-provoking and one of those reads that leaves a mark.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Geoffrey Simpson! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication date : February 7, 2021
Publisher: Geoffrey Simpson
Genre: Futuristic Science Fiction | Social
Print length : 255 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
THE SLUMMER by Geoffrey Simpson is a tale of courage against all odds as one young man pushes against a world that holds him and his “kind” down. Well written, there is a message of oppression, hope and determination. Is this where we are headed in spite of all the talk of affirmative action? Thought-provoking and one of those reads that leaves a mark.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Geoffrey Simpson! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication date : February 7, 2021
Publisher: Geoffrey Simpson
Genre: Futuristic Science Fiction | Social
Print length : 255 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 25, 2021
Excellent!
I loved this book! As a runner I appreciate the story, as an American I find it’s potential a little surreal. This is so well written and inspiring. It is a reminder that we can do hard things and little movements change worlds. I encourage you to read this book and start running the race!
I loved this book! As a runner I appreciate the story, as an American I find it’s potential a little surreal. This is so well written and inspiring. It is a reminder that we can do hard things and little movements change worlds. I encourage you to read this book and start running the race!
October 6, 2021
Just read this a second time. This is by far the best running novel… About society, classism, racism, and genetics. I will certainly be reading this over and over again through the years!
June 20, 2021
Really enjoyed this book!!! Although I'm just a recreational running, I really enjoy it and this book gave me a glimpse of what dedicated runners at all levels go through. In addition, the overall story and characters were great too!! I would call this a must read for anyone who enjoyed running, cheers for an underdog or likes a good story!!!
February 7, 2021
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Slummer: Quarters Till Death by Geoffrey Simpson is a sci-fi sports dystopia set in the Cleveland area in 2083. I'm not really a sports person. Honestly, if I don't have to run I'd just really rather not - walking or biking are more my speed. That said, I enjoyed Geoffrey Simpson's newest release. Sci-fi is one of my favorite genres and I always love reading books set in my home state of Ohio. It's not too often that those two intersect and I can't resist seeing places I recognize or am familiar with on the page.
In this future version of Ohio, the distance between the poor and struggling slummers and the rich and genetically enhanced elites couldn't be further. Ben is a slummer and he's always had his eye on a national track championship. It inspires him to pursue his talent as a runner. If he puts himself out there, he would be competing against all elite athletes who perform at near superhuman levels. As he prepares, he comes up with a plan that could shake everything up - and Ben has nothing to lose.
Ben's world is a tough place, to say the least. That said, I greatly appreciated his determination, will power, and his sense of hope and enthusiasm for his sport and possible future. If he wants to make changes he's going to have to make a lot of absolutely brutal decisions that could affect the rest of his life and the future of his community. Overall, I can't recommend Simpson's thought-provoking newest release enough. His style of writing is quite engaging and his cast character jump off the page. Plus, if you're from the area it's a good to see recognizable locations make an appearance. My only complaint here is the opening chapter or two. While they're a good introduction to Ben's world, they're probably the slowest sequences in the novel to work your way through. It wasn't until a bit later that the story grabbed me. In the long run, though, I can't wait to see what Geoffrey Simpson will do next.
The Slummer: Quarters Till Death by Geoffrey Simpson is a sci-fi sports dystopia set in the Cleveland area in 2083. I'm not really a sports person. Honestly, if I don't have to run I'd just really rather not - walking or biking are more my speed. That said, I enjoyed Geoffrey Simpson's newest release. Sci-fi is one of my favorite genres and I always love reading books set in my home state of Ohio. It's not too often that those two intersect and I can't resist seeing places I recognize or am familiar with on the page.
In this future version of Ohio, the distance between the poor and struggling slummers and the rich and genetically enhanced elites couldn't be further. Ben is a slummer and he's always had his eye on a national track championship. It inspires him to pursue his talent as a runner. If he puts himself out there, he would be competing against all elite athletes who perform at near superhuman levels. As he prepares, he comes up with a plan that could shake everything up - and Ben has nothing to lose.
Ben's world is a tough place, to say the least. That said, I greatly appreciated his determination, will power, and his sense of hope and enthusiasm for his sport and possible future. If he wants to make changes he's going to have to make a lot of absolutely brutal decisions that could affect the rest of his life and the future of his community. Overall, I can't recommend Simpson's thought-provoking newest release enough. His style of writing is quite engaging and his cast character jump off the page. Plus, if you're from the area it's a good to see recognizable locations make an appearance. My only complaint here is the opening chapter or two. While they're a good introduction to Ben's world, they're probably the slowest sequences in the novel to work your way through. It wasn't until a bit later that the story grabbed me. In the long run, though, I can't wait to see what Geoffrey Simpson will do next.
March 23, 2022
Disney Movie Adaptation. I felt like the whole book was a Disney movie and much too syrupy for a dystopian novel. I did not see a lot of depth with the characters as they were clearly very good or very bad with no one in-between. I also felt the world of the slummers wasn’t as descriptive as I would have hoped it to be. Everything simply felt over dramatized so the world didn’t resonate much with me.
Why were Slummers so hated? I never understood this and the author gave no real insight into what caused the separation and the vile hatred. Was it simply because they were poor? Is this a commentary on our current political system? Is the author suggesting this is a natural outcome of our current experiences? I didn’t get it. Plus the instances of people shouting vulgarities and even spiking Ben during the 5k championship were all comically silly. The fans finally coming around to Ben and chanting his name at the end of the 5k was also eye-rollingly bad and out of place with the rest of the setting.
Running. I did enjoy the running and it brought me back to pieces of my training. Although, as with most depictions of running, there’s too much emphasis on the pushing a body to its limits and the heart/soul/fire nonsense. There’s not enough focus on the daily, monotonous, consistent improvement of running which is where all the real separation occurs. I did like the quarters till death workout but I thought the hill workout and the water running were both oversold unnecessarily.
Character Relationships. I also never believed Ben and Daniel had a brotherly rivalry. I kept waiting for the backstory of Coach and why Ben immediately trusted him with his training. The Ben/Maya relationship was okay but Maya’s ultimate demise seemed out of place. Nothing really landed with me.
“I am a runner, nothing more, nothing less. I have just one dream, and that is to be faster than the guy I was yesterday.”
“Greatness teeters on the brink of tragedy….relentlessly.”
Why were Slummers so hated? I never understood this and the author gave no real insight into what caused the separation and the vile hatred. Was it simply because they were poor? Is this a commentary on our current political system? Is the author suggesting this is a natural outcome of our current experiences? I didn’t get it. Plus the instances of people shouting vulgarities and even spiking Ben during the 5k championship were all comically silly. The fans finally coming around to Ben and chanting his name at the end of the 5k was also eye-rollingly bad and out of place with the rest of the setting.
Running. I did enjoy the running and it brought me back to pieces of my training. Although, as with most depictions of running, there’s too much emphasis on the pushing a body to its limits and the heart/soul/fire nonsense. There’s not enough focus on the daily, monotonous, consistent improvement of running which is where all the real separation occurs. I did like the quarters till death workout but I thought the hill workout and the water running were both oversold unnecessarily.
Character Relationships. I also never believed Ben and Daniel had a brotherly rivalry. I kept waiting for the backstory of Coach and why Ben immediately trusted him with his training. The Ben/Maya relationship was okay but Maya’s ultimate demise seemed out of place. Nothing really landed with me.
“I am a runner, nothing more, nothing less. I have just one dream, and that is to be faster than the guy I was yesterday.”
“Greatness teeters on the brink of tragedy….relentlessly.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2022
This book came upon a Facebook ad. I was skeptical at first.
When I read the synopsis, I thought to myself, how original can a story like this be? But I decided to give it a shot, and commented to the author that I would read it over Christmas and give it an honest review.
The truth is, I loved it! I could have probably finished this book in one sitting (it was THAT good). But with a few books on the go, I decided to savor this one and enjoy it.
The story really dives into some deep social issues. I wasn't surprised at some of the hate, but I was really happy to see some compassion throughout the story. Lots of tears of sadness and joy all around.
I was pretty surprised, as runner myself I really enjoyed some of the training and competitive aspects of the story too.
Benjamin Brandt is a hero I need right now and will be someone I'll think of often during my long runs. I think I'll go for a long run!
@The3Hares_BL
#TheSlummer #running #runner #motivation #inspiration #FitnessMotivation #trailrunning #marathon #runningbook #books #runchat #trailrun #ukrunchat #raceday #fitness #run #runnersworld #runhappy #5km #reading #sciencefiction
When I read the synopsis, I thought to myself, how original can a story like this be? But I decided to give it a shot, and commented to the author that I would read it over Christmas and give it an honest review.
The truth is, I loved it! I could have probably finished this book in one sitting (it was THAT good). But with a few books on the go, I decided to savor this one and enjoy it.
The story really dives into some deep social issues. I wasn't surprised at some of the hate, but I was really happy to see some compassion throughout the story. Lots of tears of sadness and joy all around.
I was pretty surprised, as runner myself I really enjoyed some of the training and competitive aspects of the story too.
Benjamin Brandt is a hero I need right now and will be someone I'll think of often during my long runs. I think I'll go for a long run!
@The3Hares_BL
#TheSlummer #running #runner #motivation #inspiration #FitnessMotivation #trailrunning #marathon #runningbook #books #runchat #trailrun #ukrunchat #raceday #fitness #run #runnersworld #runhappy #5km #reading #sciencefiction
January 14, 2023
As a runner I loved this book and the futuristic part just added more depth to it. It was great!
May 7, 2022
This book brought tears and laughter. Although not my usual style of a book set in the future, it’s discrimination between rich and poor struck right to the heart - an excellent read once fully immersed and about my favourite topic - running 🏃♀️
March 16, 2021
The future doesn't look that much different except that the wealth gap has gotten to the point where there is no crossover and hate for the "Slummers" is blatant. All the while the rich get richer, and they have used that wealth and power to start breeding their children according to a shopping list of desirable DNA. So now they are rich AND nearly perfect.
Ben Brandt has only known life as a slummer. He, his brother and father all work at the foundry for a mere pittance to sustain their existence, live in a cramped small apartment, and barely have enough left for food and clothing. Ben's way to deal with his circumstances is to run. And run he does, daily, twice daily, in old sweats and running shoes that are now almost completely duct tape. He's found his sole (pun!) mate in Maya who seems to be the only other person in the Slums of Cleveland that shares his passion for running. Ben has a natural talent for speed that he gets a chance to put to the test with a church charity race that has opened their registration to Slummers, an unheard of act. Ben can't resist, he has to try. The race starts and Ben does the impossible which hurtles him into the spotlight and all the good and bad that it brings. Counted among the good is Coach, a wizened slummer who knows the ins and outs of the running world and takes Ben on a journey to put his natural talent against those who are genetically conceived to run.
If you are a runner you will most likely love this book. As a former runner, I found it very enjoyable, though at times I thought "Enough with the running already!" and that the story could have used a parallel storyline to break it up. There is an OMG moment that I did not see coming and was impressed that the author went there. All in all a good story that will motivate you to get out and move.
Ben Brandt has only known life as a slummer. He, his brother and father all work at the foundry for a mere pittance to sustain their existence, live in a cramped small apartment, and barely have enough left for food and clothing. Ben's way to deal with his circumstances is to run. And run he does, daily, twice daily, in old sweats and running shoes that are now almost completely duct tape. He's found his sole (pun!) mate in Maya who seems to be the only other person in the Slums of Cleveland that shares his passion for running. Ben has a natural talent for speed that he gets a chance to put to the test with a church charity race that has opened their registration to Slummers, an unheard of act. Ben can't resist, he has to try. The race starts and Ben does the impossible which hurtles him into the spotlight and all the good and bad that it brings. Counted among the good is Coach, a wizened slummer who knows the ins and outs of the running world and takes Ben on a journey to put his natural talent against those who are genetically conceived to run.
If you are a runner you will most likely love this book. As a former runner, I found it very enjoyable, though at times I thought "Enough with the running already!" and that the story could have used a parallel storyline to break it up. There is an OMG moment that I did not see coming and was impressed that the author went there. All in all a good story that will motivate you to get out and move.
February 22, 2021
Cheer on the Underdog!
A quick read and engaging storyline, complete with sociopolitical undertones. I picked this novel up excited to stumble across some running fiction, and got a lot more than I counted on! It’s billed as dystopian, but the genetic engineering component of the plot is absolutely believable given our rapidly expanding understanding and use of CRISPR technology. The world Simpson paints is one we will have to carefully avoid in the not-too-distant future, and accordingly felt much more realistic than many dystopian novels. That said, his world sets the scene only and doesn’t bog down the plot with techno-drivel. The underdog is the story. As a runner, I greatly appreciated the window into Ben’s running psyche, particularly the portrayals of running workouts and races, which were all too familiar, but it���s clear Simpson carefully restrains his passion for running in order to develop the plot and create an entertaining journey for runners and non-runners alike. If you enjoy rooting for an underdog putting his heart on the line against all odds, give the Slummer a read!
A quick read and engaging storyline, complete with sociopolitical undertones. I picked this novel up excited to stumble across some running fiction, and got a lot more than I counted on! It’s billed as dystopian, but the genetic engineering component of the plot is absolutely believable given our rapidly expanding understanding and use of CRISPR technology. The world Simpson paints is one we will have to carefully avoid in the not-too-distant future, and accordingly felt much more realistic than many dystopian novels. That said, his world sets the scene only and doesn’t bog down the plot with techno-drivel. The underdog is the story. As a runner, I greatly appreciated the window into Ben’s running psyche, particularly the portrayals of running workouts and races, which were all too familiar, but it���s clear Simpson carefully restrains his passion for running in order to develop the plot and create an entertaining journey for runners and non-runners alike. If you enjoy rooting for an underdog putting his heart on the line against all odds, give the Slummer a read!
April 1, 2021
Run to Live & Love to Run
What a good book set some six decades into the future in which America has changed but the more things change the more they stay the same. Now you can select the gender of your child before its birth along with height, hair color etc... The DNA can be super altered that is if you’re born an Elitist of the upper class. Should you be born naturally as a Slummer you’ll merely work to survive if you’re lucky enough to secure a job. Ben is a Slummer and his escape is running. In a world in which Running is the #1 sport and these Elitists continue to break world records he can only dream of racing with the likes of them as a Slummer. This is a futuristic take on the classic underdog story of a nobody giving his all; A tale of hard work, discipline, love, friendship, and loss. I found myself running along many times so much so that my heart rate would be racing. I enjoyed the many dynamics of discrimination, hope, change, survival and the will to compete. The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary. If you want a quick read give this a look and I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
What a good book set some six decades into the future in which America has changed but the more things change the more they stay the same. Now you can select the gender of your child before its birth along with height, hair color etc... The DNA can be super altered that is if you’re born an Elitist of the upper class. Should you be born naturally as a Slummer you’ll merely work to survive if you’re lucky enough to secure a job. Ben is a Slummer and his escape is running. In a world in which Running is the #1 sport and these Elitists continue to break world records he can only dream of racing with the likes of them as a Slummer. This is a futuristic take on the classic underdog story of a nobody giving his all; A tale of hard work, discipline, love, friendship, and loss. I found myself running along many times so much so that my heart rate would be racing. I enjoyed the many dynamics of discrimination, hope, change, survival and the will to compete. The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary. If you want a quick read give this a look and I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
January 5, 2025
Everyone loves a good underdog story. I’ve not read a book about the future but this one felt realistic. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys running and gets lost in their pursuit of PRs.
September 29, 2021
Great book! I wouldn’t normally read a fiction book, but I have to say this is a great read, would highly recommend it.
The gap between the privileged and the not so privileged is truly thought provoking, although this is fiction, there are similarities around the world of these divides, fingers crossed we never end up like that in our future!
The gap between the privileged and the not so privileged is truly thought provoking, although this is fiction, there are similarities around the world of these divides, fingers crossed we never end up like that in our future!
January 26, 2021
An enjoyable read from start to finish. A clever mix of running sports technique and enthusiasm, NEO references, a dystopian society, and for me most of all it provided a realistic depiction of the main character's plight. The trials for the main character ring true, and the choices he must make at times are heartbreaking, which made it all the more engaging. I'm not a running enthusiast, but after reading this book, my stints on the treadmill are now more interesting and thought provoking. Highly recommend it.
March 13, 2023
I’m a runner, but I don’t normally read books about running. Being a book of fiction, I gave this one a shot. I related to so much of this story - even smirked about how a real runner would get a stress fracture - and bam.
The dynamic of the slums versus the elites was poignant and hard to read.
So, so many tears shed at the end of this book. I’d been hoping for a heart warming story and this book just ripped my heart to shreds. So good, but SO MANY TEARS.
The dynamic of the slums versus the elites was poignant and hard to read.
So, so many tears shed at the end of this book. I’d been hoping for a heart warming story and this book just ripped my heart to shreds. So good, but SO MANY TEARS.
December 3, 2022
Excellent!
I loved this book. I was so moved by Ben’s passion for running and love for Maya! I have already recommended it to my friends!
I loved this book. I was so moved by Ben’s passion for running and love for Maya! I have already recommended it to my friends!
February 18, 2022
Ten minutes in and couldn't put it down Brought a tear to my eyes fantastic read
May 2, 2023
Unfreaking believable
Heart wrenching raw delves into the soul
Makes you analyze and face fears and overcome trials put in your way
Heart wrenching raw delves into the soul
Makes you analyze and face fears and overcome trials put in your way
April 20, 2024
Who would have thought a dystopian future book that is also quite seriously a book about running could work? This book is fantastic, I could not put it down but it also made me want to lace on my joggers and run, fast! Slightly saccharine in parts but all is forgiven for such a great idea for a book. Self published author too!
May 17, 2022
Excellent book enjoyed it
January 16, 2024
Loved the running bits, not so much the rest
November 28, 2022
Wasn’t so sure about this book at first but it changed my mind quickly! LOVED it and made me push harder during my runs! This makes you happy, angry and sad!!
August 19, 2023
If you like running, you will love this. Self published author as well.
August 6, 2023
Want to be inspired? Then read The Slummer:Quarters Till Death.
What a great read- right from the starter gun through to the finish line 👏 👌
What a great read- right from the starter gun through to the finish line 👏 👌
February 18, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up.
Interesting one, I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I could have as a book itself, but it brings up several important talking points that inspired me to bump the score up a little. To start with what didn't quite work for me, because it was salient throughout, is that it really could have done with a fair amount of copy editing. The writing didn't always flow, and the typos (especially with punctuation) makes it difficult to follow in parts. I do appreciate that this is self-published though, and I know that this is much more difficult to achieve than authors going through publishing houses.
I'd picked it up for a book challenge, as "a book in a genre that you don't normally read" (dystopia), and I almost feel like I've cheated with picking this one as it really isn't that dystopian. Sure, it's set in the future and humans can be genetically engineered, but other than knowing that as a backdrop, that didn't really come through in the feel of the book. I would have preferred it if there were a bit more creativity on that front: It seemed like the only benefit of genetic engineering as discussed here is .
BUT, and here's why I think it is an interesting thought experiment - as a biologist who likes to think she has a good understanding of polygenic traits and the role of nurture, it also goes to emphasise that . And that, even if it were possible to be done routinely, life as we know it might not be as different as we think - the present world is already rife with the types of discrimination that's described here.
The other thing I appreciated was that the author was a college sportsperson himself and does pretty well in the inspirational aspect of the book, better than the biographies of some actual sportspeople. Ben is also incredibly likeable as a character, his choice to remain loyal to Julie as the first sponsor who'd taken a chance on him restored my faith in humanity somewhat (while at the same time recognising that this is fiction and such loyalty is rare in real life) and I loved his interaction with Coach.
Interesting one, I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I could have as a book itself, but it brings up several important talking points that inspired me to bump the score up a little. To start with what didn't quite work for me, because it was salient throughout, is that it really could have done with a fair amount of copy editing. The writing didn't always flow, and the typos (especially with punctuation) makes it difficult to follow in parts. I do appreciate that this is self-published though, and I know that this is much more difficult to achieve than authors going through publishing houses.
I'd picked it up for a book challenge, as "a book in a genre that you don't normally read" (dystopia), and I almost feel like I've cheated with picking this one as it really isn't that dystopian. Sure, it's set in the future and humans can be genetically engineered, but other than knowing that as a backdrop, that didn't really come through in the feel of the book. I would have preferred it if there were a bit more creativity on that front: It seemed like the only benefit of genetic engineering as discussed here is .
BUT, and here's why I think it is an interesting thought experiment - as a biologist who likes to think she has a good understanding of polygenic traits and the role of nurture, it also goes to emphasise that . And that, even if it were possible to be done routinely, life as we know it might not be as different as we think - the present world is already rife with the types of discrimination that's described here.
The other thing I appreciated was that the author was a college sportsperson himself and does pretty well in the inspirational aspect of the book, better than the biographies of some actual sportspeople. Ben is also incredibly likeable as a character, his choice to remain loyal to Julie as the first sponsor who'd taken a chance on him restored my faith in humanity somewhat (while at the same time recognising that this is fiction and such loyalty is rare in real life) and I loved his interaction with Coach.
September 23, 2021
This story is about a boy who lives in the slums of 2084 Cleveland, and who loves to run. It is about a boy becoming a man while facing many challenges on his way to achieving his dream. In 2084 America, society is divided into genetically engineered elites and slummers. Anyone whose parents could not afford to pay for genetic engineering for their child would end up in the slums, shunned and hated by elite society. Ben Brandt was a slummer who only wanted to run. But he could run with and beat the genetically engineered elite runners. That's the story.
In 2084, segregation is normal. The prejudice describe here, of the elites against the slummers is racism, thinly disquised as something different. In case the reader doesn't catch on that it is really about race, there is one point in the story that Ben acknowledges he stands out in one of the major races because his skin his darker that all of the elites. The story isn't about Ben fighting racism, or I guess in this case it would be elitism, however. It is about him chasing his dream while dealing with the hate directed at him because of it. The book should be destined for many discussions.
One interesting point is made that almost seems like a judgment of America today. It's just a couple ot lines towards the end of the book that stood out to me:
"Nobody cared to get data to support their claims. It was the lies that everybody wanted to believe in. The lies were more palatable."
While it is an interesting point to consider, I don't think it has any real relevance to the story at all. It was as if Simpson just threw that in as an afterthought. Maybe it was an idea he wanted to explore that didn't come across in the story.
In 2084, segregation is normal. The prejudice describe here, of the elites against the slummers is racism, thinly disquised as something different. In case the reader doesn't catch on that it is really about race, there is one point in the story that Ben acknowledges he stands out in one of the major races because his skin his darker that all of the elites. The story isn't about Ben fighting racism, or I guess in this case it would be elitism, however. It is about him chasing his dream while dealing with the hate directed at him because of it. The book should be destined for many discussions.
One interesting point is made that almost seems like a judgment of America today. It's just a couple ot lines towards the end of the book that stood out to me:
"Nobody cared to get data to support their claims. It was the lies that everybody wanted to believe in. The lies were more palatable."
While it is an interesting point to consider, I don't think it has any real relevance to the story at all. It was as if Simpson just threw that in as an afterthought. Maybe it was an idea he wanted to explore that didn't come across in the story.
January 14, 2025
I can honestly say I have never read a book like this and I’m left speechless in a way which is why I want to do the review now while fresh in my head. This book was self-published also and I want to recommend it to everyone. This story, at its core, is inspirational to anyone who reads it. It follows the tumultuous life of Benjamin Brandt who lives in abject poverty but has a dream of being a runner. This is scorned at by everyone including his dad and brother who think he should just take any job to survive. The story is paradoxical in many ways. Set in the future where one is able to choose all the assets their children have giving them the best advantage in their life and become elite. Bens family are the complete opposite having no advantage and no way of their children becoming anyone special, until Ben. Ben has a coach I the slums who teaches him the correct way to train and the correct way to demand more of his body in a safe way. Entering races he wins money which enables him to help his family and get himself some proper running shoes. He does overdo his training and breaks part of his boot which prevents him from running on the road but his coach trains him to run in the ice cold lake. Society is not ready to accept a “Slummer” and he faces abuse and unacceptable physical injuries by his fellow athletes, Ben, however, uses this to fuel his dream and after a period of great loss he begins again. I have read many 100s of books in my life but this made me feel inspired and the beautiful way it has been written makes me feel I was on that same journey.
This book will stay with me for a very long time.
This book will stay with me for a very long time.
March 18, 2023
Set in the future and not so unbelievable the rich pay for the genes to be the best of what they aspire their children to be. Working and battling to live with a roof over their heads are the slummers, no money so are natural born no genetic help slummers stay in their place but not Ben his love for running and sheer determination see’s him battling the elite breaking boundaries but life in the slums is hard. Life became harder for Ben when the love of his life Mya was taken in a robbery Ben strives forward for change for Mya.
Not sure what I expected when I choose this book I’m a runner and could relate to the struggles of training. This story covers hot topics racism, society, classism and genetics and serves as a reminder work hard and you can achieve against all odds. Inspiring , thought provoking, tear jerking and laugh out loud brilliant story
Not sure what I expected when I choose this book I’m a runner and could relate to the struggles of training. This story covers hot topics racism, society, classism and genetics and serves as a reminder work hard and you can achieve against all odds. Inspiring , thought provoking, tear jerking and laugh out loud brilliant story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews