Futureproof

by N. Frank Daniels

Futureproof is the story of a young man and his friends as they attempt to navigate their way through life's dysfunction, heartbreaks, triumphs, and pitfalls, in a novel that bludgeons the reader like the best of Burroughs and Jim Caroll. (Dan Pope, author of In the Cherry Tree).

Genres: Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2006

Reviews

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of books about vice. Specifically books about drug/alcohol use and abuse. Stories about people getting fucked up are always interesting on a very basic level. Addicts fall in love with their addictions and the various depictions of the love affairs can be fascinating.

But there is something else about writers who are in love with their addictions that drives me fucking crazy. It's their constant attempts to prove that they are something more than their addiction. That their existence is justified and that in fact their abuse is an attempt to act out against an oppressive world and isn't really an issue with them at all. Guess what guys, no one gives a shit. I'm not reading your novel to hear your views on poverty or genocide in Africa, nor do I give a shit about your stance on parenthood. I'm reading your book because it's fun to read about the fucked up things people do when they are FUBAR. You're not important or special or noticeably intelligent. You just happen to like sticking needles in your arm. I like drinking Miller Lite but you don't see me waxing philosophical about it. Once again this is where HST stands apart from other writers who attempt to capture drug use in prose. Drugs are a comedic, if nihilistic, character for HST. He makes no apologies for his relationships with them and doesn't give you any reason or desire to pity him for his choices.

Anyway, the book was enjoyable even if the semi-autobiographical main character wasn't. Plus it was self-published which I give the dude big props for.

[Nolan Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A descent into drug addiction in early 1990s Atlanta, starting in high school and over the next several years. The author follows a predictable path from using "lighter" drugs towards "harder" stuff. By the end of the novel he is injecting herion and cocaine several times a day. We witness the physical, mental, emotional, and personal devastation drug use causes. The first half of the book is not as strong as the second - by the time he is using seriously, the awful toll becomes starkly evident. His writing style is quick and relatively spare of description, although several times he runs off a page or two that effectively conveys the effects of his chosen drug. The lasting effect I got from this book is how incredibly destructive and desperate addiction can become.

[Karen Germain · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am fairly certain that when N. Frank Daniels wrote “Futureproof” he had the goal of writing a story that would make the readers stomach turn. I felt ill while reading a majority of this book. In the author bio, Daniel’s says that this book was semiautobiographical. While I don’t doubt it, I felt very relieved to know that he now has a family and seems to have crawled out from the life portrayed in this book.

I have very mixed feelings after reading it. It was compelling and I raced though it, but I am not sure that I would recommend it. It wasn’t very original as far as plot, but I did feel that many of the rang true to life and I could relate them to (unfortunately) people I have known in my life. Maybe this is the aspect of the book that I found most upsetting.

[Julian Stimach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book exhibits not only a haunting realism of what life is like for many people who grow up in small towns where there is little likelihood of "going somewhere in life," as some would phrase it, but also a strong insight into human character on the part of Daniels. Yes, it does turn into a repetitive heroin-fest towards the latter half of the book and from the narrator's perspective almost every other character in the book appears fairly one-dimensional. But maybe that was the author's intent considering the main character's somewhat narrow-mindedness. I thought it was a pretty good read and I've certainly chosen worse books to occupy myself with on flights.

[William Shannon sr. · Rating 1 out of 5]

one of the worst books books I've ever read. I really wanted to like this book because the author was a close friend of mine and the character splinter is based one me. the n- word is thrown around way to much for my liking. every character exempt Luke is one dimensional. I really didn't like it. the author said I was just being jealous but I assure you that is not the case

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt, this is my favorite book ever. They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but the bright colors in the binding caught my eye when I saw this at a Barnes & Noble in DC in 2009, and the vibe on the cover pulled me in. I didn't even bother reading the back page, just started from the beginning and never put it down.

I would compare this book to Catcher in the Rye, only it's a million times better. The way people praise Catcher in the Rye - that it captures a sense of disillusionment, alienation, - is what N. Frank Daniels succeeds in doing with so much more depth here. The way the plot spans several years of the narrator's life, you are left with the experience of truly walking in his shoes, living through his world; and like nothing else you'll ever read, it's raw, it's gritty, and it's real.

He feels like there's nothing left worth fighting for, nothing left to believe in, nowhere he belongs, no one whom he belongs with, so he just lets himself slide deeper and deeper into an underworld of hard drugs and self destruction. Deep down, he had so much potential to be something more, but everything else around him seems so fake and empty, that it's the only real path he can take.

Nostalgically set against the backdrop of the mid-90s, he reminds us of how misfits and outcasts can have so much more appeal than the college and suburb-bound conformists. Even when that leads you to the streets, and when the world bleeds you dry, you have to stay true to yourself, down to the very last drop of blood.

[Aeron · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a pile of garbage. I do not enjoy reading racist points of view. I am burning my copy

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Futureproof was originally a self-published success launched on the author's Myspace page.

Lucke attends Peckerbrook High School in Atlanta. A school for artistic kids, Luke is one of the kids bused in from the seedier part of town. Home life is rough. His stepfather abuses him while his mother stands on the sidelines protecting their other boys. She begs Luke to stop provoking him, but Luke finds it difficult to back down. He joins the drama class at school and for awhile, he can be someone else. The fighting escalates at home until Luke gets the drop on his step dad and beats him up. Knowing he can no longer stay there, he packs a bag and leaves.

He begins to stay at a friends house and before long finds himself dropping out of school. The deeper he delves into the delinquent subculture of Atlanta, the more friends Luke makes. Friends who share their girls, basements, and drugs with him. Luke begins to self-inflict damage to himself with razor blades while also starting a new job Conflicting situations and emotions run high until they spiral out of control.

Futureproof is a shocking, yet stunning debut. It is told almost like a memoir, yet the author states it is not. Filled with unique characters and a gritty story line, Futureproof will have you addicted in no time. However, it is not for the faint of heart as it contains vulgar language, drugs, and explicit sex.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 30 or so pages of this book led me to believe it would be an average coming-of-age novel, but it certainly was not. The narrator quickly spirals down into poverty (not that he was rich before) and many, many drug addictions. Normally I am not into drug books but I did like this one because I grew attached to the main character. He never lost his awareness of what his addiction was doing to him even as he became ever more powerless to stop it. Overall, it didn't change my life or anything, but I liked it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly quick, but satisfying read. About halfway through it turns into the story of a heroin addict, which is a horrifying reality, but sort of unexpected (I mean, not everyone who experiments with marijuana and LSD end up hooked on heroin or crack). But, the main character really carries it, as tiresome as it became to read about "scoring in the ghetto." I related to the Atlanta setting, having been raised in the south myself. The ending was still painful, and I knew that wanting desperately for Luke to get clean meant the author had done his job at winning my heart.

[Ella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting foundations of the story - born on MySpace, it speaks something to the Millenium Generation about the new possibilities exploding throughout the new exploration of the internet. And while entertaining and interesting through the introduction and first third or so, it quickly turns into a pointless account of addiction with a depressing aftertatse.

[Mallory Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned how to freebase, shoot smack, and perform an abortion all in one sitting. I imagine I've been quite sheltered, and gratefully so. I concluded this book feeling dejected, faithless. I, like Animal Mother, was sick of enabling this junkie, tired of the charades and unwilling to believe Luke had any more to offer in the sequel.

[Michelle Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once you start reading this book, you won't be able to put it down. It is such a raw and eye opening story. I can't wait for the next book to be published, however from what it looks like I'm sure it's going to be a fair amount of time since it already has been quite some years since this one has come out.

[Elizabeth Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 days. I ignored the fact that life was going on around me because I was lost in this story. I bought it in 2014 and have read it 4 times since. The pages are dog eared and stained with remnants of whatever I was trying to do at the time I was devouring this novel. I loan it out and retrieve it each time.

[Chris Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book back in 2009 then reread these past few months. I still like it but don’t love it. Really bothered me the use of the n-word by the main character author. Takes away any of the redemption possibilities of his drug addiction because he’s still a racist. This book still ranks up there among my Atlanta-based books.

[Bb · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read. Ever.

Like other readers said it's a kind of coming of age story. It's heartbreaking, funny at times and absolutely mind altering.

Read it. You wont regret it.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of me, growing up in the 90s. Even though it IS based around a guy named Luke, the stories are shockingly similar, like someone was watching me from a distance and taking notes. You've GOT to read this. AND I MEAN YOU, JEN! BUY IT!

[Lyubov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curious jumble through the semi-autobiographic story of growing up in Atlanta, in a world of drugs, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and confusion. This book left me confused. I could not stop reading it though.

[Michelle Sickini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner that leaves you cringing and on the end of your seat particularly b/c this is part memoir/ autobiography and the main character seems to have a death wish. Hard to read, obnoxious but well worth it!

[Shayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit home. It reminded me of my past relationship and much of my past life. It is written from the heart, from the truth, from a deep dark place where drugs rule your life. I can't wait to read N. Frank Daniels new work of art.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts of this book were gripping, and harrowing, as advertised, but I thought it was about 100 pages too long. The middle got extremely repetitive. Yet I'm glad I finished it. And I'd be tempted to read the author again.

[Borah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a straight up vice book. "Gritty" is another good descriptor for this book. You can read my whole review, with all of my feelings here, at MyEntertainmentWorld.ca

[Xisix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grimey, drug ridden tragedy/comedy along lines of Irvine Welsh's novels. Definitely a few insights along way as to the obliteration of lives because "Why not?" Entertaining read if you want to swim a bit in the dark seas behind modern living.

[A Proud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank you rock

[Alisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that this book would be really interesting, especially given the whole first self-publishing aspect, but it was difficult to get into and I couldn't even push myself to finish reading it.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't put this down- I'm drawn into this semi-fictional hell. The humor is dark, but sweet at times.

[Camille Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story, insight that is hard to get without being an insider. I hope it changes many lives for the better.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested to read this because the author grew up in Atlanta around the same time I did, although he had quite a different life from me. It was interesting and certainly gritty.

[Dan Sonnenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book...grity and young. Kevin got it for me and I enjoyed reading it alot.

[Jorge Franzini · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely terrible... descriptive enough for you?