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Evergreens
What if you could stay young forever?
What if you never had to grow old?
Ben has no qualms about signing up for the Evergreens project, a controversial new trial. But are the promises of life without ageing too good to be true?
Sophie has no doubt that they are. And sixty-five years down the line, she gets the chance to find out.
With Ben in hospital, unresponsive and ageing rapidly before her very eyes, can Sophie uncover the dark secret at the heart of the Evergreens project – and save Ben’s life in the process?
What if you never had to grow old?
Ben has no qualms about signing up for the Evergreens project, a controversial new trial. But are the promises of life without ageing too good to be true?
Sophie has no doubt that they are. And sixty-five years down the line, she gets the chance to find out.
With Ben in hospital, unresponsive and ageing rapidly before her very eyes, can Sophie uncover the dark secret at the heart of the Evergreens project – and save Ben’s life in the process?
- GenresScience FictionFiction
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2023
25 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Liam Brown
35 books65 followersBrown’s debut novel, Real Monsters, was published in 2015 by Legend Press. Wild Life, which the Guardian called "a compelling, chilling investigation into the dark instincts of masculinity", followed in 2016, while his third novel, Broadcast, was published internationally in 2017. Described by the Daily Mail as "a short, sharp and shocking update of the Faustus myth", the book was also optioned by a major Hollywood Studio.
His new novel Skin, about a viral pandemic that puts the world into lockdown, was released in 2019.
His new novel Skin, about a viral pandemic that puts the world into lockdown, was released in 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 5, 2023
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Legend Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Evergreens releases June 15, 2023
This was not what I expected.
The premise is definitely there, but I don’t think the right structural layout was used to showcase its full potential.
If you’re going into this story blind, it takes a while for you to fully understand what exactly is going on.
I wasn’t expecting for so much backstory and history from Ben and Sophie, and would have hoped for the experimental trials and time at the hospital to be at the forefront.
This is a then/now timeline with the entire sections during 2070 written in italics. The issue for me is that we’re never told what year the other timeline is in, so it’s hard to account for the exact gaps between when Ben and Sophie first met abroad, versus their time at the hospital in 2070 (I know it’s somewhere in the 65 year range, but it’s not that hard to just mention the year).
This is also written in dual pov, but there are never any indications of when the narrations switch which stunts the flow of reading.
Basically though, Ben and Sophie both attended a lecture together when they were younger that discussed living forever and the ethics of eternal life. As time passes, Ben ends up becoming one of the participants for the Evergreens Programme trials.
Sophie aging but Ben staying physically young really puts a strain on their relationship.
I wanted that notebook-esque feeling of two people in love growing old together with palpable chemistry, but I didn’t get that here. In fact, Ben and Sophie were hardly even together for the majority of this story.
For someone who was given the opportunity to live forever, Ben was such a lifeless character and it felt like a wasted opportunity… though, I do understand the sentiments of how even though his appearance and overall physical health never aged, his mind definitely took a toll.
cw: cheating, mentions covid lockdown
Thank you to NetGalley and Legend Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Evergreens releases June 15, 2023
This was not what I expected.
The premise is definitely there, but I don’t think the right structural layout was used to showcase its full potential.
If you’re going into this story blind, it takes a while for you to fully understand what exactly is going on.
I wasn’t expecting for so much backstory and history from Ben and Sophie, and would have hoped for the experimental trials and time at the hospital to be at the forefront.
This is a then/now timeline with the entire sections during 2070 written in italics. The issue for me is that we’re never told what year the other timeline is in, so it’s hard to account for the exact gaps between when Ben and Sophie first met abroad, versus their time at the hospital in 2070 (I know it’s somewhere in the 65 year range, but it’s not that hard to just mention the year).
This is also written in dual pov, but there are never any indications of when the narrations switch which stunts the flow of reading.
Basically though, Ben and Sophie both attended a lecture together when they were younger that discussed living forever and the ethics of eternal life. As time passes, Ben ends up becoming one of the participants for the Evergreens Programme trials.
Sophie aging but Ben staying physically young really puts a strain on their relationship.
I wanted that notebook-esque feeling of two people in love growing old together with palpable chemistry, but I didn’t get that here. In fact, Ben and Sophie were hardly even together for the majority of this story.
For someone who was given the opportunity to live forever, Ben was such a lifeless character and it felt like a wasted opportunity… though, I do understand the sentiments of how even though his appearance and overall physical health never aged, his mind definitely took a toll.
cw: cheating, mentions covid lockdown
April 24, 2023
Evergreens pulled me in pretty immediately - we open in a hospital, in 2070, where you’re not sure if all the nurses are real, and there’s an old woman sitting beside a young man, who’s lying unconscious in his hospital bed. The expectation would be that it’s a grandmother looking over her grandson - but no - it’s a wife looking over her husband.
Evergreens centres around two young people, called Sophie and Ben, who meet on a gap year in Australia. Sophie is more privileged, has a safety net, and can move through the world a bit more freely. Ben has two elderly relatives, less privilege, and no back ups.
Their relationship takes many twists and turns through the years, but one of the largest ones is probably when Sophie finds out Ben has signed up for the Evergreens medical experiment - a trial which will mean Ben will never age, staying at twenty-one forever, with the intentions of using that time to ‘catch up’ to people who have been born into more wealth and standing.
The real question of this book, I think, is that it’s not about how much time you have - it’s about how you use it, and I found that such an interesting topic to explore. Ben is, simply put, completely stuck. He’s languishing in kitchen roles, without a real set idea of what he wants to do, who he wants to be. But he has time. Sophie isn’t much better at the start, but eventually wakes up, and starts to set about making a proper life for herself - and hers is the one that has a more set expiration date.
Overall, this is a very fascinating book, looking into the future, privilege, and the human experience of what it means to grow up.
Thank you to Netgalley, and Legend Press, for the early copy to review.
Evergreens centres around two young people, called Sophie and Ben, who meet on a gap year in Australia. Sophie is more privileged, has a safety net, and can move through the world a bit more freely. Ben has two elderly relatives, less privilege, and no back ups.
Their relationship takes many twists and turns through the years, but one of the largest ones is probably when Sophie finds out Ben has signed up for the Evergreens medical experiment - a trial which will mean Ben will never age, staying at twenty-one forever, with the intentions of using that time to ‘catch up’ to people who have been born into more wealth and standing.
The real question of this book, I think, is that it’s not about how much time you have - it’s about how you use it, and I found that such an interesting topic to explore. Ben is, simply put, completely stuck. He’s languishing in kitchen roles, without a real set idea of what he wants to do, who he wants to be. But he has time. Sophie isn’t much better at the start, but eventually wakes up, and starts to set about making a proper life for herself - and hers is the one that has a more set expiration date.
Overall, this is a very fascinating book, looking into the future, privilege, and the human experience of what it means to grow up.
Thank you to Netgalley, and Legend Press, for the early copy to review.
June 27, 2023
I really enjoyed this futuristic novel from Brown and think it raises some interesting questions about life and how you use the time you have.
I have read another book from this writer in the past and I found it to be uncannily accurate with its depictions of the future. In this instance, the novel switches from following Ben and Sophie in their youth, to present day – 2070 – and how Ben has become unresponsive in a coma. I enjoyed both timelines and was very curious to see how they would connect with one another. The 2070 timeframe was not too dominant yet, the details that are revealed about this futuristic society were equally chilling and fascinating. Whilst we live in a world that is seeing the rapid developments of AI, in Brown’s narrative, this has taken further steps into becoming something that is a feature of everyday life. Referencing climate change, environmental factors and other technological developments, I liked seeing how creative yet believable this setting became.
Sophie and Ben meet when they are in their early twenties. They seem like an ideal match but circumstances keep them apart. Attending a free lecture about a clinical trial that promises eternal youth, Ben’s desperation causes him to seriously consider this opportunity and this changes his life forever. Whilst Sophie is aware of the drastic decision that Ben has made, it becomes an obstacle for their happiness and I was fascinated to see how these characters were like magnets: repelled by Evergreens, but still drawn back to one another.
The mystery of Ben’s life unfolds in the narrative, switching between him and Sophie. Whilst Sophie inevitably ages, Ben never seems to find complete happiness, bouncing between jobs and endless bottles of beer. Despite having all the time in the world to make a success of himself, it appears that Ben is never able to achieve this promise of happiness. On the other hand, it takes a miserable existence during the pandemic to encourage Sophie to make changes to her life and ensure that she achieves exactly what she desires.
A contrast is rapidly established between Sophie and Ben: the have’s and the have-not’s. Although Ben will not age, he is never happy with what he has been given, aware that something is constantly missing from his life. Even when he is in a relationship with Sophie, he doesn’t treat it as something precious. In the early parts of the narrative, Sophie mirrors Ben’s behaviour, drifting between auditions and feeling completely dissatisfied with where her life is headed. It is when she takes back control, rather than expecting something to miraculously change her life, does she finally find her own personal happiness. In other words, it is the lack of time that causes a reaction, rather than drifting aimlessly through eternity.
I enjoyed the moral questions raised in this story and the ethics behind the clinical trial. Indeed, the scenes with Johan near the closing of the book were particularly chilling and unexpected. I found Brown’s writing to be immersive and interesting, and I especially liked the subtle reference to another of his novels with a screenplay that Sophie is involved with. (Unless I have completely over-interpreted that one!) The idea of living forever seems like an appealing concept but, watching Ben’s reality, it is not a dream come true, but an endless nightmare.
With thanks to Legend Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have read another book from this writer in the past and I found it to be uncannily accurate with its depictions of the future. In this instance, the novel switches from following Ben and Sophie in their youth, to present day – 2070 – and how Ben has become unresponsive in a coma. I enjoyed both timelines and was very curious to see how they would connect with one another. The 2070 timeframe was not too dominant yet, the details that are revealed about this futuristic society were equally chilling and fascinating. Whilst we live in a world that is seeing the rapid developments of AI, in Brown’s narrative, this has taken further steps into becoming something that is a feature of everyday life. Referencing climate change, environmental factors and other technological developments, I liked seeing how creative yet believable this setting became.
Sophie and Ben meet when they are in their early twenties. They seem like an ideal match but circumstances keep them apart. Attending a free lecture about a clinical trial that promises eternal youth, Ben’s desperation causes him to seriously consider this opportunity and this changes his life forever. Whilst Sophie is aware of the drastic decision that Ben has made, it becomes an obstacle for their happiness and I was fascinated to see how these characters were like magnets: repelled by Evergreens, but still drawn back to one another.
The mystery of Ben’s life unfolds in the narrative, switching between him and Sophie. Whilst Sophie inevitably ages, Ben never seems to find complete happiness, bouncing between jobs and endless bottles of beer. Despite having all the time in the world to make a success of himself, it appears that Ben is never able to achieve this promise of happiness. On the other hand, it takes a miserable existence during the pandemic to encourage Sophie to make changes to her life and ensure that she achieves exactly what she desires.
A contrast is rapidly established between Sophie and Ben: the have’s and the have-not’s. Although Ben will not age, he is never happy with what he has been given, aware that something is constantly missing from his life. Even when he is in a relationship with Sophie, he doesn’t treat it as something precious. In the early parts of the narrative, Sophie mirrors Ben’s behaviour, drifting between auditions and feeling completely dissatisfied with where her life is headed. It is when she takes back control, rather than expecting something to miraculously change her life, does she finally find her own personal happiness. In other words, it is the lack of time that causes a reaction, rather than drifting aimlessly through eternity.
I enjoyed the moral questions raised in this story and the ethics behind the clinical trial. Indeed, the scenes with Johan near the closing of the book were particularly chilling and unexpected. I found Brown’s writing to be immersive and interesting, and I especially liked the subtle reference to another of his novels with a screenplay that Sophie is involved with. (Unless I have completely over-interpreted that one!) The idea of living forever seems like an appealing concept but, watching Ben’s reality, it is not a dream come true, but an endless nightmare.
With thanks to Legend Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2024
Book 16 of 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is my second book by Liam Brown and I have got to say I enjoyed this one, not as much as his book Skin but this was still a good book.
It follows Ben, who takes part in the Evergreens programme, and the only woman he has ever loved Sophie. This follows their stories and touches on the topic of aging appearance, death and growing old. I think it was beautifully written with a good plot and characters however there was something missing. I can't put my finger on it but there is something that makes this just not a 5 star for me.
However would definitely be a book i recommend for those wanting to ease into dystopian fiction.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is my second book by Liam Brown and I have got to say I enjoyed this one, not as much as his book Skin but this was still a good book.
It follows Ben, who takes part in the Evergreens programme, and the only woman he has ever loved Sophie. This follows their stories and touches on the topic of aging appearance, death and growing old. I think it was beautifully written with a good plot and characters however there was something missing. I can't put my finger on it but there is something that makes this just not a 5 star for me.
However would definitely be a book i recommend for those wanting to ease into dystopian fiction.
March 26, 2023
When Ben and Sophie met, it seemed like they'd live long lives together, grow old together and die peacefully surrounded by their family.
But when the Evergreens project launches, their future isn't so certain anymore. It offers the chance to be young endlessly, to live ten or more lifetimes, to control life and death. Ben immediately signs up to the experimental trial, ready to escape his mortality but Sophie isn't so sure. It seems too good to be true, too far.
And now decades later as Ben lies unresponsive in a hospital bed she knows she was right. In front of her eyes, the youthful boy he'd been for so long starts to wither and fade away, the years taking their toll. And as officials start lurking around, it's clear something darker was happening at the Evergreens project, and she needs to find out what. But the timer has started for Ben again, so she needs to do it before it's too late.
"And how lucky she is to love and be loved."
In this modern, polished world where holograms work as nurses, beds make themselves and armies are run by algorithms; it feels like a utopia but even from the first few lines you just know something is wrong. The world felt so familiar but so strange - the alienating feeling setting a spectacular and immersive scene.
Sophie is beautiful, magnetic; she's clearly troubled and lost but loves deeply. Her feelings for Ben shine through as she tells us the stories of their youth, with a playful nostalgic air that was so warm. Together we explore the highs and lows of two lives together and apart - the fractures that can form when a relationship becomes imbalanced. They were able to navigate the divides of class and wealth between them, but is mortality and youth just too much to handle?
This story balances a love story with an intriguing mystery in a futuristic world that quietly unravels in front of our eyes, drawing some terrifying parallels to a world we already know where the rich and powerful get richer and more powerful because they're making the rules.
It moves slowly, building up the story of Sophie and Ben, explaining how they came to be and all the little moments that led them here, before quickly shifting to the dangers of the present day to solve a horrific puzzle. We get to know them intimately - watching them as they find, lose and find themselves all over again - although there was a little too much time spent on teen angst and petty fighting before the story kept moving for me and it left me waiting for something else to happen. And while I absolutely loved the ideas, this exploration into how these kinds of advancement would affect not just the world but our connections with others, our main characters spend 90% of this book hating each other, not talking or point scoring and it made it very difficult to find a connection with them specifically and I wasn't able to find any real closure in their tale. Although there were absolutely beautiful moments that showed the difficulty and the joy of relationships in their different forms.
A sweeping tale about what it is to be human; heartbreaking and affirming.
But when the Evergreens project launches, their future isn't so certain anymore. It offers the chance to be young endlessly, to live ten or more lifetimes, to control life and death. Ben immediately signs up to the experimental trial, ready to escape his mortality but Sophie isn't so sure. It seems too good to be true, too far.
And now decades later as Ben lies unresponsive in a hospital bed she knows she was right. In front of her eyes, the youthful boy he'd been for so long starts to wither and fade away, the years taking their toll. And as officials start lurking around, it's clear something darker was happening at the Evergreens project, and she needs to find out what. But the timer has started for Ben again, so she needs to do it before it's too late.
"And how lucky she is to love and be loved."
In this modern, polished world where holograms work as nurses, beds make themselves and armies are run by algorithms; it feels like a utopia but even from the first few lines you just know something is wrong. The world felt so familiar but so strange - the alienating feeling setting a spectacular and immersive scene.
Sophie is beautiful, magnetic; she's clearly troubled and lost but loves deeply. Her feelings for Ben shine through as she tells us the stories of their youth, with a playful nostalgic air that was so warm. Together we explore the highs and lows of two lives together and apart - the fractures that can form when a relationship becomes imbalanced. They were able to navigate the divides of class and wealth between them, but is mortality and youth just too much to handle?
This story balances a love story with an intriguing mystery in a futuristic world that quietly unravels in front of our eyes, drawing some terrifying parallels to a world we already know where the rich and powerful get richer and more powerful because they're making the rules.
It moves slowly, building up the story of Sophie and Ben, explaining how they came to be and all the little moments that led them here, before quickly shifting to the dangers of the present day to solve a horrific puzzle. We get to know them intimately - watching them as they find, lose and find themselves all over again - although there was a little too much time spent on teen angst and petty fighting before the story kept moving for me and it left me waiting for something else to happen. And while I absolutely loved the ideas, this exploration into how these kinds of advancement would affect not just the world but our connections with others, our main characters spend 90% of this book hating each other, not talking or point scoring and it made it very difficult to find a connection with them specifically and I wasn't able to find any real closure in their tale. Although there were absolutely beautiful moments that showed the difficulty and the joy of relationships in their different forms.
A sweeping tale about what it is to be human; heartbreaking and affirming.
January 29, 2025
Evergreens starts in 2070 with Sophie sitting beside her husband Ben's hospital bed.
They met backpacking in Australia in 2005, Sophie on a gap year and Ben a shorter holiday, before starting university in London. They hit it off, and after a few false starts become firm friends. And then one day the two friends attend a free lecture at Sophie's university. One of the speakers is the founder of the Evergreens programme, and he is recruiting people to trial a new anti-aging treatment. Sophie is instantly sceptical, but Ben is intrigued.
Liam Brown has a real talent for taking a scientific idea and weaving it into a story about relatable people. I particularly love this kind of speculative fiction, that takes a big "what if" and then turns it into a real world scenario. Sophie's scepticism gives a way to explore the potential downsides of such a treatment. But what if you could live, if not forever, but for much longer, and healthier, would you? And more importantly, would your partner?
Ben and Sophie are great characters and you really want things to work out for them. The science of the anti-aging is well thought through and the future world, with its holographic Virtual Assistants and climate refugees is thoroughly believable. Evergreens is a gripping page turner, but it also makes you think.
They met backpacking in Australia in 2005, Sophie on a gap year and Ben a shorter holiday, before starting university in London. They hit it off, and after a few false starts become firm friends. And then one day the two friends attend a free lecture at Sophie's university. One of the speakers is the founder of the Evergreens programme, and he is recruiting people to trial a new anti-aging treatment. Sophie is instantly sceptical, but Ben is intrigued.
Liam Brown has a real talent for taking a scientific idea and weaving it into a story about relatable people. I particularly love this kind of speculative fiction, that takes a big "what if" and then turns it into a real world scenario. Sophie's scepticism gives a way to explore the potential downsides of such a treatment. But what if you could live, if not forever, but for much longer, and healthier, would you? And more importantly, would your partner?
Ben and Sophie are great characters and you really want things to work out for them. The science of the anti-aging is well thought through and the future world, with its holographic Virtual Assistants and climate refugees is thoroughly believable. Evergreens is a gripping page turner, but it also makes you think.
October 10, 2024
the backstory in the early 2000s was so promising i would have loved a story of just that- was very much giving one day
but the supernatural/ time travel/ staying young forever/ utopian future/ actually dystopian future was just.. weird and not me at all
did not love this unfortunately
but the supernatural/ time travel/ staying young forever/ utopian future/ actually dystopian future was just.. weird and not me at all
did not love this unfortunately
April 26, 2023
This was a quick read. I was hooked pretty much from the beginning. Would you give up everything to stay young? I did enjoy this book and would recommend.
March 9, 2023
The story unfolded slowly at the beginning, but once the pace picked up, it was a very engaging and intriguing exploration of the possibilities for living a long, healthy life. By long, the author means living decades or even centuries in one’s prime.
After a rigorous assessment of their physical, mental and emotional suitability, 12 young people are enrolled in the Evergreens Project, an experimental treatment to arrest the aging process. Dr. V. Andersson, the head of the project, has a vision to free humanity from the inevitable decline associated with aging, namely the prevention of the chronic diseases leading to death. While his intent is noble, it raises many issues – ethical, moral, social, and ecological to name a few.
Against this backdrop is the on again-off again romance between Ben and Sophie who meet in their early 20s. Ben elects to enroll in the Project following the untimely death of a family member, the collapse of his academic studies, and the breakup of his romantic relationship. What follows is his story over the next 65 years, moving back and forth between the present and the year 2070.
The question arises, “What would you do knowing that you had decades to live in good health?” While it sounds appealing, the reality includes watching friends and family age naturally and die. How does one cope with these ongoing losses? How does it affect one’s quality of relationships and life in general? All of this plays out as Ben remains eternally youthful while Sophie shows her chronological age.
An interesting twist gets introduced when the original Dr. Andersson’s grandson seizes the opportunity to turn the original humanitarian intent of the Evergreen Project into a grand scheme to keep the wealthy elite alive…for a very hefty price. The ending is very satisfying. Overall, I found this book thought provoking and well worth the investment of my time.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
.
After a rigorous assessment of their physical, mental and emotional suitability, 12 young people are enrolled in the Evergreens Project, an experimental treatment to arrest the aging process. Dr. V. Andersson, the head of the project, has a vision to free humanity from the inevitable decline associated with aging, namely the prevention of the chronic diseases leading to death. While his intent is noble, it raises many issues – ethical, moral, social, and ecological to name a few.
Against this backdrop is the on again-off again romance between Ben and Sophie who meet in their early 20s. Ben elects to enroll in the Project following the untimely death of a family member, the collapse of his academic studies, and the breakup of his romantic relationship. What follows is his story over the next 65 years, moving back and forth between the present and the year 2070.
The question arises, “What would you do knowing that you had decades to live in good health?” While it sounds appealing, the reality includes watching friends and family age naturally and die. How does one cope with these ongoing losses? How does it affect one’s quality of relationships and life in general? All of this plays out as Ben remains eternally youthful while Sophie shows her chronological age.
An interesting twist gets introduced when the original Dr. Andersson’s grandson seizes the opportunity to turn the original humanitarian intent of the Evergreen Project into a grand scheme to keep the wealthy elite alive…for a very hefty price. The ending is very satisfying. Overall, I found this book thought provoking and well worth the investment of my time.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
.
June 21, 2023
I like Liam Brown’s work. I’ve been reading all of his books and grabbed this one off Netgalley on name recognition alone. Would have gotten it based on plot alone, too, because, you know, immortality. Or a version thereof.
Although, technically this is a love story with immortality thrown in as opposed to a vice versa version of it. Think Age of Adaline, only instead of Blake Lively’s immensely likeable character who is struck with immortality you get a total waster like the protagonist of Evergreens who chooses it.
And that’s the main detractor of the otherwise perfectly good novel—a profoundly crappy protagonist. Nothing as pedestrian as likable or unlikable, moral or not, etc. but he’s just fundamentally crap: neither interesting nor particularly compelling. All he does is waste his time and waste his gift.
Although, of course, the novel doesn’t present immortality as a gift. Quite the opposite. The moral of this tale, a rather heavy-handed moral, one might add, is that one mustn’t mess with the natural rhythms of existence, take life as it comes, etc.
Which honestly, again, isn’t as interesting as a lot of things one can do with immortality, but okay, there you have it.
The thing is, though, the protagonist is so grrrr-stupid that he’d llkely end up wasting his life either way, immortality just sort of enables him to do it. As opposed to his beloved who lives her life naturally and manages to have a great one.
So yeah, I didn’t care for him or the overall moral, but the thing is—and this is a major testament to Liam Brown’s talent as a writer— I was still completely engaged with the book. Didn’t want to put it down. I just really like the way he writes. And objectively speaking, this was an interesting take on immortality, and such things always make one think. Books should make you think.
So, something of a mixed bag, but overall, enjoyable. Enough to round up my rating of it. Thanks Netgalley.
Although, technically this is a love story with immortality thrown in as opposed to a vice versa version of it. Think Age of Adaline, only instead of Blake Lively’s immensely likeable character who is struck with immortality you get a total waster like the protagonist of Evergreens who chooses it.
And that’s the main detractor of the otherwise perfectly good novel—a profoundly crappy protagonist. Nothing as pedestrian as likable or unlikable, moral or not, etc. but he’s just fundamentally crap: neither interesting nor particularly compelling. All he does is waste his time and waste his gift.
Although, of course, the novel doesn’t present immortality as a gift. Quite the opposite. The moral of this tale, a rather heavy-handed moral, one might add, is that one mustn’t mess with the natural rhythms of existence, take life as it comes, etc.
Which honestly, again, isn’t as interesting as a lot of things one can do with immortality, but okay, there you have it.
The thing is, though, the protagonist is so grrrr-stupid that he’d llkely end up wasting his life either way, immortality just sort of enables him to do it. As opposed to his beloved who lives her life naturally and manages to have a great one.
So yeah, I didn’t care for him or the overall moral, but the thing is—and this is a major testament to Liam Brown’s talent as a writer— I was still completely engaged with the book. Didn’t want to put it down. I just really like the way he writes. And objectively speaking, this was an interesting take on immortality, and such things always make one think. Books should make you think.
So, something of a mixed bag, but overall, enjoyable. Enough to round up my rating of it. Thanks Netgalley.
August 23, 2023
I really enjoyed reading Evergreens. And a couple of months after reading it, I continue to reflect on it occasionally; it has lasting impact.
The theme is fascinating: immortality. What would it feel like, really feel like, to be immortal? Ben signs up for a medical trial and finds out.
I had the opportunity to read two novels on immortality at around the same time - Evergreens and A Life Eternal by Richard Ayres - and I read them both almost back to back. They are of course different, with different protagonists and stories, but they share similarities too (both include a strong love story, for example).
But to stick with this one... Evergreens is a reflection on whether immortality is or a holy grail or a tainted cup. And much as most people hate the idea of dying, would living forever while those around you age and die really be better? And is it possible to really savour life if the world keeps changing while you remain stuck, always the same?
Recommended.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. My reviews are always honest and unbiased, no matter how I acquire the book.
The theme is fascinating: immortality. What would it feel like, really feel like, to be immortal? Ben signs up for a medical trial and finds out.
I had the opportunity to read two novels on immortality at around the same time - Evergreens and A Life Eternal by Richard Ayres - and I read them both almost back to back. They are of course different, with different protagonists and stories, but they share similarities too (both include a strong love story, for example).
But to stick with this one... Evergreens is a reflection on whether immortality is or a holy grail or a tainted cup. And much as most people hate the idea of dying, would living forever while those around you age and die really be better? And is it possible to really savour life if the world keeps changing while you remain stuck, always the same?
Recommended.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. My reviews are always honest and unbiased, no matter how I acquire the book.
February 21, 2024
This novel is thought provoking and beautifully written.
The concept behind it is a compelling one - who hasn’t wished they could stop the ageing process and considered what that might look like. In this book the author plays with the reality of being presented with that choice. What would it mean for the person, for their family or their future?
I think this book dealt with some really complex issues in a sensitive and thoughtful way.
I liked that we got to enjoy so much of the novel from Sophie’s viewpoint. To understand the impact for her of Ben’s decisions. I struggled with Ben, I thought he was quite a selfish character who had little regard for the other people around him.
The pacing of this book is good. There are time jumps which I don’t usually like in a book but in this one I think they helped to build the story and help me understand the individuals.
I think this novel deals with the difficulties of relationships, there’s no easy happy ever after, it takes work and sometimes two people are just not good for each other.
This was such an engaging and interesting book. I would 100% recommend you read it
The concept behind it is a compelling one - who hasn’t wished they could stop the ageing process and considered what that might look like. In this book the author plays with the reality of being presented with that choice. What would it mean for the person, for their family or their future?
I think this book dealt with some really complex issues in a sensitive and thoughtful way.
I liked that we got to enjoy so much of the novel from Sophie’s viewpoint. To understand the impact for her of Ben’s decisions. I struggled with Ben, I thought he was quite a selfish character who had little regard for the other people around him.
The pacing of this book is good. There are time jumps which I don’t usually like in a book but in this one I think they helped to build the story and help me understand the individuals.
I think this novel deals with the difficulties of relationships, there’s no easy happy ever after, it takes work and sometimes two people are just not good for each other.
This was such an engaging and interesting book. I would 100% recommend you read it
June 19, 2023
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What if you could stay young forever? ☑️ Yes that gets my vote!
What if you never had to grow old? 👍 That gets the thumbs up from me!
Sophie Walker’s husband Ben is in hospital in an intensive care unit. Nobody knows what is wrong with Ben, all they know is he won’t wake up.
The hospital have holographic Virtual Assistants. Holograms never get sick or tired or depressed. They never complain about unsocialable hours and there’s no pension plan or holiday entitlement.
Something strange has happened to Ben, he was born in the 20’s century and appeared to be much younger than he really was.
Detective Gillian wants to know if Sophie has ever heard of The Evergreens Programme, that was some sort of research project or media trail. Evergreens is the best science fiction novel, that I have ever read. I definitely recommend this novel to all readers.
What if you could stay young forever? ☑️ Yes that gets my vote!
What if you never had to grow old? 👍 That gets the thumbs up from me!
Sophie Walker’s husband Ben is in hospital in an intensive care unit. Nobody knows what is wrong with Ben, all they know is he won’t wake up.
The hospital have holographic Virtual Assistants. Holograms never get sick or tired or depressed. They never complain about unsocialable hours and there’s no pension plan or holiday entitlement.
Something strange has happened to Ben, he was born in the 20’s century and appeared to be much younger than he really was.
Detective Gillian wants to know if Sophie has ever heard of The Evergreens Programme, that was some sort of research project or media trail. Evergreens is the best science fiction novel, that I have ever read. I definitely recommend this novel to all readers.
August 21, 2025
I liked the concept of this novel, but too much of it reads like a YA romance. Both of the main characters are immature for most of the novel. Sophie starts out as the ultimate, reckless party girl, while Ben is initially more cautious. But after Ben undergoes a procedure to give him immortality, he wallows in aimlessness forever. Sophie eventually matures and does something with her life, but Ben always thinks he can change tomorrow.
It would have been more interesting to follow multiple subjects in the immortality experiment. For example, it would have been nice to read about people who took better advantage of the opportunity they were given and couples where both partners underwent the procedure. There is a fun twist at the end of the novel with a new version of the treatment, but there is so much more that could have been explored in this novel.
It would have been more interesting to follow multiple subjects in the immortality experiment. For example, it would have been nice to read about people who took better advantage of the opportunity they were given and couples where both partners underwent the procedure. There is a fun twist at the end of the novel with a new version of the treatment, but there is so much more that could have been explored in this novel.
March 31, 2023
I found the pacing slow, but it eventually picks up and becomes very intriguing. We are treated to an intimate look into the relationship between Sophie and Ben while also questioning the torment of remaining young while those around you age and die. Evergreens also calls into the question of the morality of a life extending treatment that is available only to the rich and powerful, exacerbating the real life capitalist mindset that poor people are an expendable commodity. I found this to be a very thought provoking story that I will be thinking about for a long time.
December 3, 2023
This is the second time I have written this review- the first disappeared somewhere into the cloud. It’s about a relationship where one person Ben wants to live for a long time whereas Sophie wants to live her expected lifespan. There are some really good ideas and the main message is don’t waste what time you have. The medical idea of stopping the breakdown of telomeres and that the first time this would obviously all be experimental works well. Later the treatment doesn’t make sense to me but overall a good read.
June 29, 2023
This was the first book I have read of Liam Brown. I found this book to be really interesting. The book starts off a little slow but the pace picks pretty quick. I found this to be a very thought provoking story that I will be thinking about for a long time. I will be recommending this book to my friends and family
Thank you NetGalley and Legend Press for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and Legend Press for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
July 24, 2023
I find the theme of this book intriguing. With medicine and AI moving so quickly today this seems possible. Sophia and Ben have the chance to live forever or so the project designers say. Ben decides to undergo the treatment while Sophia says no. Now 65 years later Sophie is visisting Ben in the hospital watching him age rapidly. Sophie starts investigating to find a cure while she reminisces about their lives.
March 27, 2023
Loves me a bit of speculative fiction. Evergreens by Liam Brown is out in June and worth a read: an unconventional love story between a couple; one of whom is aging at a normal rate, one of whom is part of an experimental anti-aging trial and is suffering some pretty serious consequences. Thanks, @netgalley and @legendpress.rs for letting me follow Ben and Sophie’s story before its release.
April 23, 2024
Who wants to live forever? Evergreens is an absorbing, cautionary tale of wanting, and getting that very thing. And as you can imagine, it comes with a price. At its core though, the story is about human relationships, regret, tragedy, missed opportunities, and of course, love. And how that can endure; the beauty and sadness of it all.
July 22, 2024
I randomly downloaded this book on my Libby app and I thoroughly enjoyed the concept. I found it extremely thought provoking and I devoured it over a couple of days.
I love the concept of, it's not about how much time you have it's about who you spend it with and what you do with it.
Lovely story and I thought the characters were written beautifully.
I love the concept of, it's not about how much time you have it's about who you spend it with and what you do with it.
Lovely story and I thought the characters were written beautifully.
May 14, 2023
i devoured this book! who wants to live forever that is the question. this starts as a romantic story that then flips to the future that none of us could comprehend.
it’s heartwarming, thought provoking but also very sad.
this book would make a great film.
it’s heartwarming, thought provoking but also very sad.
this book would make a great film.
June 9, 2023
I received a digital ARC from Legend Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I connected with this story right away. It is thought-provoking. If you were given the chance to avoid aging, would you take it? What would it mean?
I connected with this story right away. It is thought-provoking. If you were given the chance to avoid aging, would you take it? What would it mean?
Read
November 18, 2023Another good one.
Found it hard to get into but once I got hooked about a third of the way through I found this novel to be thought and emotion provoking in a very positive way. Thanks Liam.
Found it hard to get into but once I got hooked about a third of the way through I found this novel to be thought and emotion provoking in a very positive way. Thanks Liam.
February 28, 2024
An unusual but beautiful story, dual time-line. A very clever story and I loved it. Set in the future as well as recent times this book will set you thinking about the possibility of it coming true....I will leave it there so, I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet.
September 4, 2025
A beautifully written encounter between Ben and Sophie and how Evergreens affect their relationship. It leaves an impressive feeling of life and love and what are the important things of life. A wonderful heartwarming book.
Want to read
March 21, 2023 I received an advanced digital copy of this book, courtesy of the author and publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
RTC
RTC
did-not-finish
May 25, 2023I just could not get into this story. I don't think it was for me. While the writing was decent, I just couldn't get into it.
December 29, 2023
It's not a sci-fi book - it's just an ordinary drama about two people growing old in their own different ways.
July 31, 2024
I actually enjoyed this book.
Ben, one of the 2 main characters, did annoy me, but towards the end, he redeemed himself!
A good storyline, well written.
Ben, one of the 2 main characters, did annoy me, but towards the end, he redeemed himself!
A good storyline, well written.
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