(U)topian

by Dave Fin

What would you do if you woke up in a utopia? Would you accept it? Would it accept you?

(U)topian

Card Smith, a privileged everyman from 2019, unexpectedly finds himself in a strange time: 2122. War and crime are gone. Jobs are optional, everything is free, you can spend your time on whatever you want to do. Society is flourishing. Card is immediately excited, but also annoyed for reasons he can’t fully explain. His head hurts. He falls into old habits. He gets into trouble.

As he meets new people and awkwardly settles into his new life in utopia, he must figure out the mystery as to why he’s not adjusting well when everyone else is so happy. Is there something sinister lying beneath the surface? Or is the only problem inside his own head? Card must overcome his limitations and weaknesses in order to evolve to meet the future he unexpectedly arrives in.

A time-distorted utopian sci-fi adventure/philosophical reckoning in a world where the only real problem might be yourself.

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2021

About the author

I was told to dress for the job I wanted so instead I wrote a book for the world I wanted to live in.

Reviews

[Christina Gizzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of being frozen and waking up in a better future. That is the goal of many people and the premise of some television shows. This happens to our main character Card, and he has to figure out why he was chosen to be frozen and how to live a new life in the 22nd century. I have mixed feelings about what I read. Some parts were extremely confusing and I had no idea what was going on, but by the end I understood the story and the importance of Card being in the future. I think the chapters were way too long and could have been separated to make things more interesting. I think that the interactions between Card and other characters were great and that it showed character growth throughout the novel, but I had so many questions while reading. I wish the writing was easier to understand and that the main story would have been clear.

[Patsy Hennessey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have really mixed feelings about this book. I loved the premise, and it was an interesting and thought-provoking book overall. The protagonist was a complicated character, both likable and unlikeable, and frustrating. The world-building was pretty good, you got a good feel for both the physical and cultural aspects of his new world.

However, the last quarter of the book became more than a little confusing and hard to understand and follow for me. I was left with a number of unanswered questions, a feeling of things inadequately explained and disappointment.

[barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking

Why do we not strive to live harmoniously? I enjoyed Cards transformation to his new environment. Waiting for the sequel