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The Ferryman
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Science Fiction (2023)From the New York Times bestselling author of The Passage comes a riveting standalone novel about a group of survivors on a hidden island utopia--where the truth isn't what it seems.
Founded by a mysterious genius, the archipelago of Prospera lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. In this island paradise, Prospera's lucky citizens enjoy long, fulfilling lives until the monitors embedded in their forearms, meant to measure their physical health and psychological well-being, fall below 10 percent. Then they retire themselves, embarking on a ferry ride to the island known as the Nursery, where their failing bodies are renewed, their memories are wiped clean, and they are readied to restart life afresh.
Proctor Bennett, of the Department of Social Contracts, has a satisfying career as a ferryman, gently shepherding people through the retirement process--and, when necessary, enforcing it. But all is not well with Proctor. For one thing, he's been dreaming--which is supposed to be impossible in Prospera. For another, his monitor percentage has begun to drop alarmingly fast. And then comes the day he is summoned to retire his own father, who gives him a disturbing and cryptic message before being wrestled onto the ferry.
Meanwhile, something is stirring. The Support Staff, ordinary men and women who provide the labor to keep Prospera running, have begun to question their place in the social order. Unrest is building, and there are rumors spreading of a resistance group--known as "Arrivalists"--who may be fomenting revolution.
Soon Proctor finds himself questioning everything he once believed, entangled with a much bigger cause than he realized--and on a desperate mission to uncover the truth.
Founded by a mysterious genius, the archipelago of Prospera lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. In this island paradise, Prospera's lucky citizens enjoy long, fulfilling lives until the monitors embedded in their forearms, meant to measure their physical health and psychological well-being, fall below 10 percent. Then they retire themselves, embarking on a ferry ride to the island known as the Nursery, where their failing bodies are renewed, their memories are wiped clean, and they are readied to restart life afresh.
Proctor Bennett, of the Department of Social Contracts, has a satisfying career as a ferryman, gently shepherding people through the retirement process--and, when necessary, enforcing it. But all is not well with Proctor. For one thing, he's been dreaming--which is supposed to be impossible in Prospera. For another, his monitor percentage has begun to drop alarmingly fast. And then comes the day he is summoned to retire his own father, who gives him a disturbing and cryptic message before being wrestled onto the ferry.
Meanwhile, something is stirring. The Support Staff, ordinary men and women who provide the labor to keep Prospera running, have begun to question their place in the social order. Unrest is building, and there are rumors spreading of a resistance group--known as "Arrivalists"--who may be fomenting revolution.
Soon Proctor finds himself questioning everything he once believed, entangled with a much bigger cause than he realized--and on a desperate mission to uncover the truth.
18 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 2, 2023
About the author
Justin Cronin
18 books10.9k followersIn 2010, Justin Cronin’s The Passage was a phenomenon. The unforgettable tale that critics and readers compared to the novels of Cormac McCarthy, Michael Crichton, Stephen King, and Margaret Atwood became a runaway bestseller and enchanted readers around the globe. It spent 3 months on The New York Times bestseller list. It was featured on more than a dozen “Best of the Year” lists, including Time’s “Top 10 Fiction of 2010,” NPR’s “Year’s Most Transporting Books,” and Esquire’s “Best & Brightest of 2010.” It was a #1 Indie Next Selection. It sold in over 40 countries and became a bestseller in many of them. Stephen King called The Passage “enthralling… read this book and the ordinary world disappears.” Now, PEN/Hemingway Award-winner Justin Cronin bring us the conclusion to his epic trilogy with The City of Mirrors. For the last time, Amy—the Girl from Nowhere, who lived a thousand years—will join her friends and face down the demons that threaten the last of humanity. Justin Cronin is also the author of Mary and O’Neil (which won the PEN/Hemingway Award and the Stephen Crane Prize), and The Summer Guest. Other honors for his writing include a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and a Whiting Writer’s Award. A Distinguished Faculty Fellow at Rice University, he divides his time between Houston, Texas, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,769 reviews
July 28, 2024
Justin Cronin's books have the same side effects as Blake Crouch's sci-fi novels: once you finish them, your brain cells feel like they've run a marathon, leaving you pleasantly exhausted and in awe of the journey you've experienced.
This exceptional novel deserves more than just five stars! It's a mind-bending, intelligent, complex, and challenging read that combines the best elements of Westworld and Inception.
Although it's a lengthy book, you'll find yourself never wanting it to end. Each chapter is a treat to savor, like slowly indulging in a delectable feast while your grey cells emit a delightful smoke.
The last quarter of the book delivers a shocking twist that will leave you breathless. Personally, I enjoyed the first third slightly more, but the big revelation in the final section was necessary to tie everything together and provide a deeper understanding.
Without revealing too much, let me summarize the main plot:
The story takes place in Prospera, an archipelago state hidden from the world, enjoying a splendid isolation. The climate is idyllic, with warm sunshine, cooling ocean breezes, and gentle rains. Prospera consists of three islands. The first is the main island, covering 482 square miles, where the privileged residents reside. The second island, known as the Annex, is home to the support staff with lesser biological and social endowments. The third island, Nursery Isle, or simply the Nursery, is a fortified sanctuary protected by treacherous shoals and towering cliffs.
Prosperans dedicate themselves to lofty aspirations, focusing on creative expression and the pursuit of personal excellence. Leaving Prospera is strictly forbidden, as knowledge of their existence could jeopardize everything. After all, who would desire to leave such a utopian place?
Our main character is Proctor Bennett, the director for District Six of the Department of Social Contracts, Enforcement Division, known as the "Ferryman." His role is to accompany emotionally distressed elderly citizens to the ferry that will take them to the Nursery, where their memories will be erased, granting them a second chance at life.
Every aspect of life in Prospera is governed by contracts, including marriages. Proctor is married to Elise, a brilliant fashion designer, through a contract that spans fifteen years. Elise is also the daughter of Madam Chair, the head of the organization.
Proctor's life and contentment are shattered when he is assigned to assist his estranged father to the ferry. Their relationship has been strained since his guardian mother's tragic suicide. Confronted with his father's presence, Proctor's old wounds reopen. To his dismay, the accompanying process takes an unexpected turn when his father experiences a delusional episode, questioning the reality of their world and screaming a name, "Oranios"! Chaos ensues as watchmen attack his father, and Proctor finds himself defending him.
This unfortunate incident becomes witnessed by his intern, the eager newbie Jason Kim, and the people around the pier. Proctor's father's ramblings open a Pandora's box, turning Proctor's life upside down. A rebellious group known as the "Arrivalists" in the Annex seeks to contact Proctor, revealing a highly detailed scheme and urging him to see events from their perspective.
I must refrain from revealing any further details! I've already shared too much. Just dive into this fantastic book and enjoy the unexpected twists and turns that await you. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary reading experience that will keep you captivated until the very last page.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine for making my dreams come true by sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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This exceptional novel deserves more than just five stars! It's a mind-bending, intelligent, complex, and challenging read that combines the best elements of Westworld and Inception.
Although it's a lengthy book, you'll find yourself never wanting it to end. Each chapter is a treat to savor, like slowly indulging in a delectable feast while your grey cells emit a delightful smoke.
The last quarter of the book delivers a shocking twist that will leave you breathless. Personally, I enjoyed the first third slightly more, but the big revelation in the final section was necessary to tie everything together and provide a deeper understanding.
Without revealing too much, let me summarize the main plot:
The story takes place in Prospera, an archipelago state hidden from the world, enjoying a splendid isolation. The climate is idyllic, with warm sunshine, cooling ocean breezes, and gentle rains. Prospera consists of three islands. The first is the main island, covering 482 square miles, where the privileged residents reside. The second island, known as the Annex, is home to the support staff with lesser biological and social endowments. The third island, Nursery Isle, or simply the Nursery, is a fortified sanctuary protected by treacherous shoals and towering cliffs.
Prosperans dedicate themselves to lofty aspirations, focusing on creative expression and the pursuit of personal excellence. Leaving Prospera is strictly forbidden, as knowledge of their existence could jeopardize everything. After all, who would desire to leave such a utopian place?
Our main character is Proctor Bennett, the director for District Six of the Department of Social Contracts, Enforcement Division, known as the "Ferryman." His role is to accompany emotionally distressed elderly citizens to the ferry that will take them to the Nursery, where their memories will be erased, granting them a second chance at life.
Every aspect of life in Prospera is governed by contracts, including marriages. Proctor is married to Elise, a brilliant fashion designer, through a contract that spans fifteen years. Elise is also the daughter of Madam Chair, the head of the organization.
Proctor's life and contentment are shattered when he is assigned to assist his estranged father to the ferry. Their relationship has been strained since his guardian mother's tragic suicide. Confronted with his father's presence, Proctor's old wounds reopen. To his dismay, the accompanying process takes an unexpected turn when his father experiences a delusional episode, questioning the reality of their world and screaming a name, "Oranios"! Chaos ensues as watchmen attack his father, and Proctor finds himself defending him.
This unfortunate incident becomes witnessed by his intern, the eager newbie Jason Kim, and the people around the pier. Proctor's father's ramblings open a Pandora's box, turning Proctor's life upside down. A rebellious group known as the "Arrivalists" in the Annex seeks to contact Proctor, revealing a highly detailed scheme and urging him to see events from their perspective.
I must refrain from revealing any further details! I've already shared too much. Just dive into this fantastic book and enjoy the unexpected twists and turns that await you. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary reading experience that will keep you captivated until the very last page.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine for making my dreams come true by sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
medium.com
November 16, 2022
there is so much going on with this… and im pretty sure i liked it? i dont even know where to begin.
think of the fighting forces in ‘the stand,’ mixed with the reality of ‘inception,’ filled with the space adventures of ‘project hail mary’ and the atmosphere of ‘westworld.’ i told you - theres a lot going on in this! i will admit that it did take me awhile to not feel overwhelmed by it all and to find my stride with the story and the characters.
but one thing is for sure - die hard sci-fi lovers are going to eat. this. up.
thanks for the ARC, random house/ballantine books!
↠ 3.5 stars
think of the fighting forces in ‘the stand,’ mixed with the reality of ‘inception,’ filled with the space adventures of ‘project hail mary’ and the atmosphere of ‘westworld.’ i told you - theres a lot going on in this! i will admit that it did take me awhile to not feel overwhelmed by it all and to find my stride with the story and the characters.
but one thing is for sure - die hard sci-fi lovers are going to eat. this. up.
thanks for the ARC, random house/ballantine books!
↠ 3.5 stars
May 2, 2023
*Happy Publication Day!*
May 2, 2023
The archipelago of Prospera is a utopian state separate from the rest of the world and its man-made “horrors”. Hidden from the world by an electromagnetic barrier, Prospera is spread across three islands. The main island, Prospera proper, is home to the Prosperans, humans of high potential (a result of “genetic tinkering”), who live long productive lives, toward the end of which (when their health and well-being percentage, measured by monitors embedded in their arms, falls below 10) they are retired and ferried across to the third island, ”The Nursery” where they are prepared for their new iteration, new bodies and minds to be returned to Prospera as teenagers (“wards”) to be adopted by families on the main island. The second island, the Annex, is home to support staff who live normal lives and constitute the labor force, engaged in the upkeep of the main island. Our protagonist, the “Ferryman” Proctor Bennet, Managing Director of the Department of Social Contracts, is responsible for the smooth transfer of those being retired to the Nursery. On the personal front, he is in the eighth year of his fifteen-year contract (the duration of marriage is governed by contracts) with his wife Elise, a fashion designer.
Despite his almost perfect life, Proctor is struggling. His wife is unwilling to become a parent to a “ward”, his recurring dreams (Prosperans are not supposed to dream) are a cause of anxiety and then his father, with whom he has had a strained relationship since his mother’s suicide twelve years ago, is deemed ready to be retired. On the day of departure, his father begins behaving strangely and has to be forced onto the ferry, before which he conveys a strange message to his son – words that trigger a series of events that has Proctor questioning everything he knows to be true. Complicating things further is a potential rebellion – “The Arrivalists” a resistance group from the Annex revolting against the social order and the ways of Prospera - members of which have infiltrated the Prosperans, posing as some of their own with the support of a few Prosperans who also support their cause. The narrative follows Proctor as he embarks on a quest to discover the truth behind his father’s cryptic message and what it means for him and Prospera, which won’t be easy as there are forces at play that don’t want him to succeed and will do anything to stop him.
The Ferryman by Justin Cronin combines elements of fantasy, science fiction and dystopian drama to create an absorbing story that touches upon a multitude of themes ranging from social distinctions and power struggles, the climate crisis, family and loyalty and grief among others. A running theme in this story is how one perceives life and happiness. Is a perfect life truly a life of contentment? This is a complex, layered story but not too difficult to follow. The writing is powerful and immersive. This is my first Justin Cronin novel and I have to say that the author excels at world-building! I found the narrative that is presented to us through multiple perspectives, with the larger part shared from the first person PoV of Proctor, to be well-structured and consistently paced. At no point did I find myself losing interest as the story progressed.
I'm not much of a sci-fi reader and I probably wouldn't have chosen to read this book had the publisher not sent me a widget. But I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to read this one. Don’t let the page count intimidate you! I couldn't believe how engrossing this story was. It's been a while since I could read a 550+ pager in so few sittings.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the much-appreciated digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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May 2, 2023
The archipelago of Prospera is a utopian state separate from the rest of the world and its man-made “horrors”. Hidden from the world by an electromagnetic barrier, Prospera is spread across three islands. The main island, Prospera proper, is home to the Prosperans, humans of high potential (a result of “genetic tinkering”), who live long productive lives, toward the end of which (when their health and well-being percentage, measured by monitors embedded in their arms, falls below 10) they are retired and ferried across to the third island, ”The Nursery” where they are prepared for their new iteration, new bodies and minds to be returned to Prospera as teenagers (“wards”) to be adopted by families on the main island. The second island, the Annex, is home to support staff who live normal lives and constitute the labor force, engaged in the upkeep of the main island. Our protagonist, the “Ferryman” Proctor Bennet, Managing Director of the Department of Social Contracts, is responsible for the smooth transfer of those being retired to the Nursery. On the personal front, he is in the eighth year of his fifteen-year contract (the duration of marriage is governed by contracts) with his wife Elise, a fashion designer.
Despite his almost perfect life, Proctor is struggling. His wife is unwilling to become a parent to a “ward”, his recurring dreams (Prosperans are not supposed to dream) are a cause of anxiety and then his father, with whom he has had a strained relationship since his mother’s suicide twelve years ago, is deemed ready to be retired. On the day of departure, his father begins behaving strangely and has to be forced onto the ferry, before which he conveys a strange message to his son – words that trigger a series of events that has Proctor questioning everything he knows to be true. Complicating things further is a potential rebellion – “The Arrivalists” a resistance group from the Annex revolting against the social order and the ways of Prospera - members of which have infiltrated the Prosperans, posing as some of their own with the support of a few Prosperans who also support their cause. The narrative follows Proctor as he embarks on a quest to discover the truth behind his father’s cryptic message and what it means for him and Prospera, which won’t be easy as there are forces at play that don’t want him to succeed and will do anything to stop him.
The Ferryman by Justin Cronin combines elements of fantasy, science fiction and dystopian drama to create an absorbing story that touches upon a multitude of themes ranging from social distinctions and power struggles, the climate crisis, family and loyalty and grief among others. A running theme in this story is how one perceives life and happiness. Is a perfect life truly a life of contentment? This is a complex, layered story but not too difficult to follow. The writing is powerful and immersive. This is my first Justin Cronin novel and I have to say that the author excels at world-building! I found the narrative that is presented to us through multiple perspectives, with the larger part shared from the first person PoV of Proctor, to be well-structured and consistently paced. At no point did I find myself losing interest as the story progressed.
I'm not much of a sci-fi reader and I probably wouldn't have chosen to read this book had the publisher not sent me a widget. But I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to read this one. Don’t let the page count intimidate you! I couldn't believe how engrossing this story was. It's been a while since I could read a 550+ pager in so few sittings.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the much-appreciated digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me!
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The StoryGraph
May 17, 2023
The Ferryman has been done before. Justin Cronin’s latest novel is nothing more than a slight variation of some popular sci-fi movies and TV shows.
(No, I will not name names. To do so would give Cronin’s twist away.)
The book, however, starts out well enough. It’s about a group of people living in paradise on a secluded island. But the island and its people are a bit too perfect. Especially the people, seeing as they never die. A health monitor is embedded in the forearm of each person, and when the number on it drops below 10 percent, that person is ferried over to an island called The Nursery to be healed, to have their memories erased, and to start a new life.
Proctor Bennett is our narrator. He works as a ferryman, meaning he assists with the retirement process by providing emotional support to those boarding the ferry. Though Proctor loves his life and is fulfilled by his job, he suddenly finds both himself and the island unraveling, thereby forcing him to uncover the truth of the world he lives in.
Initially, I was so engrossed in Cronin’s tale that only my children’s cries of hunger could tear me away from it. But the more I read, and as more hints leading to the twist of the story were dropped, my brain painted a picture of where the novel was headed.
And my brain was right. Nothing about The Ferryman surprised me. I was neither wowed by it nor all that driven to finish it, near the end.
The good news is a less experienced sci-fi fan may fare better with the book. It’s just not a great fit for readers who are well versed in the genre.
My sincerest appreciation to Justin Cronin, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
(No, I will not name names. To do so would give Cronin’s twist away.)
The book, however, starts out well enough. It’s about a group of people living in paradise on a secluded island. But the island and its people are a bit too perfect. Especially the people, seeing as they never die. A health monitor is embedded in the forearm of each person, and when the number on it drops below 10 percent, that person is ferried over to an island called The Nursery to be healed, to have their memories erased, and to start a new life.
Proctor Bennett is our narrator. He works as a ferryman, meaning he assists with the retirement process by providing emotional support to those boarding the ferry. Though Proctor loves his life and is fulfilled by his job, he suddenly finds both himself and the island unraveling, thereby forcing him to uncover the truth of the world he lives in.
Initially, I was so engrossed in Cronin’s tale that only my children’s cries of hunger could tear me away from it. But the more I read, and as more hints leading to the twist of the story were dropped, my brain painted a picture of where the novel was headed.
And my brain was right. Nothing about The Ferryman surprised me. I was neither wowed by it nor all that driven to finish it, near the end.
The good news is a less experienced sci-fi fan may fare better with the book. It’s just not a great fit for readers who are well versed in the genre.
My sincerest appreciation to Justin Cronin, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
December 18, 2022
4.5 Stars
I’m not even sure what I just read!
Proctor is a Ferryman which is a creepy job! He takes people to the ferry that takes them to the Nursery island! Yeah…..
There is some stuff with his father that is really sad.
AND…
Then this book goes right off the rails! The twists in this book are beyond what I could have imagined! I’m still not sure I understand some of it but it’s not in a bad way. I definitely recommend the book!
*Thank you to Random House for the offer to read this book and Netgalley for the digital copy!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
I’m not even sure what I just read!
Proctor is a Ferryman which is a creepy job! He takes people to the ferry that takes them to the Nursery island! Yeah…..
There is some stuff with his father that is really sad.
AND…
Then this book goes right off the rails! The twists in this book are beyond what I could have imagined! I’m still not sure I understand some of it but it’s not in a bad way. I definitely recommend the book!
*Thank you to Random House for the offer to read this book and Netgalley for the digital copy!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
May 2, 2023
Justin Cronin brings readers a powerful premise and excellent world-building in
The Ferryman
. This post-apocalyptic science fiction novel features a world founded by The Designer and consisting of three islands. Prospera is where the administrators, enforcement personnel, and wealthy live. The Annex is where support staff live and the third is the Nursery. Prospera’s citizens live long lives in luxury until the monitor embedded in their forearm falls below 10 percent indicating that their physical and/or mental health has deteriorated significantly. They are then retired and take a ferry ride to the Nursery where their bodies are renewed, their memories are wiped, and they restart life.
The main character, Proctor Bennett, is the managing director for District Six of the Department of Social Contracts, Enforcement Division. He’s a ferryman, who helps people through their retirement process and onto the ferry, using enforcement when necessary. But Proctor finds he has problems. He’s a tortured, but capable protagonist. Then, one day he is summoned to retire his father, who gives him a cryptic and confusing message before being forced on the ferry. Meanwhile the support staff are questioning their place in the social hierarchy and rumors of a resistance group spread.
The author brilliantly portrayed the islands, the people, and their very different lifestyles. The story has a complex and deeply involved plot. While I was transported to this archipelago of three islands, at times I felt the pacing was somewhat slow in the first half of the book. I was also confused at times in trying to understand what was really happening. However, the last half of the novel picked up the pace and had plenty of action. Readers should pay close attention to the details of what is and what isn’t being said to get clues. There’s plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged and guessing. Trying to understand the fallout from things lets multiple characters’ personalities shine or become tarnished. What an ending! Will it catch you by surprise?
Overall, this book is emotionally-charged, unique, intense, challenging, and thought-provoking, with fantastic world-building and great characterization. It’s creative and is captivating with its unpredictable plot. Themes include children, health, social status, fighting for justice, empathy, political maneuvering, and much more. This is the first book I have read by this author and I’m looking forward to seeing what he writes next. I believe this could have a fascinating sequel.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Justin Cronin provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 02, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.49 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
The main character, Proctor Bennett, is the managing director for District Six of the Department of Social Contracts, Enforcement Division. He’s a ferryman, who helps people through their retirement process and onto the ferry, using enforcement when necessary. But Proctor finds he has problems. He’s a tortured, but capable protagonist. Then, one day he is summoned to retire his father, who gives him a cryptic and confusing message before being forced on the ferry. Meanwhile the support staff are questioning their place in the social hierarchy and rumors of a resistance group spread.
The author brilliantly portrayed the islands, the people, and their very different lifestyles. The story has a complex and deeply involved plot. While I was transported to this archipelago of three islands, at times I felt the pacing was somewhat slow in the first half of the book. I was also confused at times in trying to understand what was really happening. However, the last half of the novel picked up the pace and had plenty of action. Readers should pay close attention to the details of what is and what isn’t being said to get clues. There’s plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged and guessing. Trying to understand the fallout from things lets multiple characters’ personalities shine or become tarnished. What an ending! Will it catch you by surprise?
Overall, this book is emotionally-charged, unique, intense, challenging, and thought-provoking, with fantastic world-building and great characterization. It’s creative and is captivating with its unpredictable plot. Themes include children, health, social status, fighting for justice, empathy, political maneuvering, and much more. This is the first book I have read by this author and I’m looking forward to seeing what he writes next. I believe this could have a fascinating sequel.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Justin Cronin provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 02, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------
My 3.49 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
May 3, 2023
Intriguing sci-fi book with a pretty good twist.
I became a fan of Justin Cronin and his worldbuilding when I read The Passage series. This is a great standalone follow-up to those books. I feel like it's best to go into this without any preconceived notions and just go with it. There are a few parts that were a little circuitous and confusing, but for the most part this is part sci-fi, part mystery, part thriller. If you ever read Blake Crouch, this book reminded me quite a bit of his work.
The land of Prospera is an archipelago in the middle of the ocean. It is divided into three islands: Prospera, where the wealthy, elite members of society live; The Annex, where the working class and support staff live; and The Nursery. Everyone in this utopian society is embedded with a monitor in their arm measuring their health and well-being. When the percentage reaches a critical low number, that person is taken to the Nursery where they are essentially rebooted and come back to the island as a new iteration. These new iterations are adopted wards of those on the island, where they learn and the cycle repeats.
Proctor Bennett is a ferryman, whose job it is to escort those to the ferry back to the nursery. He is contracted (married) to Elise. Proctor deeply desires to take on a ward, but Elise is completely resistant. After his mother committed suicide years before, Proctor became estranged from his father. One day when he comes into work, he finds out that his next assignment to escort to the ferry is his father. Some strange things happen, and on the way there his father makes some odd statements that resonate with Proctor, but he doesn't know why. This sends him in a surprising direction that no one could predict.
This is a complex story with many themes throughout. An exploration of class divide, nature vs. nurture, the quest for perfection, and many others I can't discuss without getting into spoiler territory. Much of this book is told through Proctor's first person point of view and I really connected with those parts of the book as he slowly peels away layers of what he knows vs. what he thinks he knows.
Although this is a lengthy tome, I never felt bogged down because the narrative keeps moving forward. There are a couple of major twists and those made the story that much more fascinating for me. I do have to say though
If you like solidly written, imaginative books, then definitely pick this one up. I can't wait until more of my friends read it so we can talk about it!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I became a fan of Justin Cronin and his worldbuilding when I read The Passage series. This is a great standalone follow-up to those books. I feel like it's best to go into this without any preconceived notions and just go with it. There are a few parts that were a little circuitous and confusing, but for the most part this is part sci-fi, part mystery, part thriller. If you ever read Blake Crouch, this book reminded me quite a bit of his work.
The land of Prospera is an archipelago in the middle of the ocean. It is divided into three islands: Prospera, where the wealthy, elite members of society live; The Annex, where the working class and support staff live; and The Nursery. Everyone in this utopian society is embedded with a monitor in their arm measuring their health and well-being. When the percentage reaches a critical low number, that person is taken to the Nursery where they are essentially rebooted and come back to the island as a new iteration. These new iterations are adopted wards of those on the island, where they learn and the cycle repeats.
Proctor Bennett is a ferryman, whose job it is to escort those to the ferry back to the nursery. He is contracted (married) to Elise. Proctor deeply desires to take on a ward, but Elise is completely resistant. After his mother committed suicide years before, Proctor became estranged from his father. One day when he comes into work, he finds out that his next assignment to escort to the ferry is his father. Some strange things happen, and on the way there his father makes some odd statements that resonate with Proctor, but he doesn't know why. This sends him in a surprising direction that no one could predict.
This is a complex story with many themes throughout. An exploration of class divide, nature vs. nurture, the quest for perfection, and many others I can't discuss without getting into spoiler territory. Much of this book is told through Proctor's first person point of view and I really connected with those parts of the book as he slowly peels away layers of what he knows vs. what he thinks he knows.
Although this is a lengthy tome, I never felt bogged down because the narrative keeps moving forward. There are a couple of major twists and those made the story that much more fascinating for me. I do have to say though
If you like solidly written, imaginative books, then definitely pick this one up. I can't wait until more of my friends read it so we can talk about it!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
March 6, 2023
Cronin spends several hundred pages building us a speculative utopia that is coming apart at the seams. There are all kinds of clues making us wonder what is behind it all, all kinds of investigations and secrets. It all builds up quite nicely while you simultaneously remain pretty clueless about what is actually going on behind it all.
And then you get to the last third (half?) as we start to get that actual truth and it all goes to hell. For a while this section is even more disorienting and I was totally down for that. Weirder and wilder is not a bad thing. But then, somehow, it loses all the weird and the wild and just becomes a deeply simple and dull story underneath. It absolutely feels like having the rug jerked out from under you. You thought you were in this big complicated story but actually you are not and that is not satisfying! Quite the opposite. Better no explanation at all than the explanation in this book.
Worse, this is a book that has a lot of class elements involved. A potential class war is what is destroying this utopia where the rich people live on one island, the poor people who work as their servants live on another. Of course it is going to explode eventually. The novel seems to engage with this, but then pulls not one but two or three gotchas about what is actually happening with the class stuff. It is political and yet not? It is a second grader's view of class and politics. Again, deeply disappointing.
And it's a shame because the beginning of the book is so propulsive. The setting is a mix of recognizable and weird that can work so well in speculative fiction. But it would have been better to explain not a single bit of this story and just leave it be than to go where Cronin is eventually taking us.
And then you get to the last third (half?) as we start to get that actual truth and it all goes to hell. For a while this section is even more disorienting and I was totally down for that. Weirder and wilder is not a bad thing. But then, somehow, it loses all the weird and the wild and just becomes a deeply simple and dull story underneath. It absolutely feels like having the rug jerked out from under you. You thought you were in this big complicated story but actually you are not and that is not satisfying! Quite the opposite. Better no explanation at all than the explanation in this book.
Worse, this is a book that has a lot of class elements involved. A potential class war is what is destroying this utopia where the rich people live on one island, the poor people who work as their servants live on another. Of course it is going to explode eventually. The novel seems to engage with this, but then pulls not one but two or three gotchas about what is actually happening with the class stuff. It is political and yet not? It is a second grader's view of class and politics. Again, deeply disappointing.
And it's a shame because the beginning of the book is so propulsive. The setting is a mix of recognizable and weird that can work so well in speculative fiction. But it would have been better to explain not a single bit of this story and just leave it be than to go where Cronin is eventually taking us.
October 12, 2023
***SPOILERS HIDDEN***
Justin Cronin is at his storytelling best when writing layered, epic stories. The Passage science-fiction trilogy proves it, and The Ferryman, in its weaknesses, does too. This newest science fiction is intriguing and promises a lot, but it's overly complicated and filled with under-developed characters. It’s a somewhat disappointing work from an author who’s capable of doing so much more.
The Ferryman has an elaborate construct of two societies: a utopian one called “Prospera” where some people live, and “the Annex,” where other, less privileged people live. The story’s initial conflict revolves around the terribly named Proctor Bennett at a time when his existence in Prospera becomes threatened. Eventually, the truth of Prospera reveals itself to him in a confounding second half. The story’s sci-fi identity in the first half stems partly from reincarnation with a twist: When the end is near, Prosperans retire to an island that’s home to the “Nursery,” where they are re-created. Their memories are erased, and they return to Prospera in a different, brand-new young body to new parents. That cycle repeats over and over.
The book is mostly concept. Cronin essentially conceived this big idea and then slotted in simplistic, lackluster characters as opposed to making realistic-seeming, multi-dimensional characters equally as important, if not the main attraction. His big idea is also a mishmash of well-established concepts. Reincarnation is of course a tenet in ancient religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, and The Giver also has a nursery where old people are retired to--although not reincarnated. The two realities of Prospera and the Annex is like the “alternate reality” idea repackaged. And the second half appears to be inspired by . That he borrowed and combined all these things isn’t wrong, but the borrowing is strong enough to call attention to itself. Tension arises when life in Prospera starts feeling less secure in general, but it’s hard to care because Prospera and Prosperans are depicted without any creativity: This society is basically Beverly Hills populated by elitists who die in a non-traditional sense. One obstacle at the heart of the story concerns Proctor’s longevity--it’s being tinkered with for some reason--but Cronin didn’t develop this character, so Proctor’s plight doesn’t hold the significance it should.
What makes the flaws worse is knowing Cronin is fully capable of writing better than this because he shows it many times over in The Passage trilogy. Those three books reveal a vivid imagination and the ability to craft a world that’s equal parts dystopian and realistic. And he’s especially skilled at writing terror, a fact readers wouldn’t know if they’ve read only this book. The Ferryman begs for terror. To put it plainly: It could have used a monster, in some form. Inventive scenes featuring absolutely horrific monsters in The Passage trilogy are a driving force, gripping readers across all three books. The always-lurking threat of attack helps readers feel emotionally invested in the characters. Together, that nail-biting terror, immersive dystopian world, and realistic characterization make the trilogy edgy and exciting.
Cronin comes closest to injecting terror in one of The Ferryman’s most unusual parts: . This has a freaky, Black Mirror-esque vibe, but then it doesn’t end in the bang of terror it teases. The book has villains, but he held back in both their development and number of scenes. They appear briefly at a few points, registering as more mean than scary, and the threat hanging over the story is always too abstract to be threatening. The Ferryman has an atmosphere of unease only. Prospera is mundane, not the strange place it sounds like it would be.
The Ferryman does have a few things in common with The Passage trilogy, however. Cronin’s writing remains direct, with words chosen carefully. He writes intelligent prose but isn’t in love with his own writing. He spares readers the tedium of flowery sentences, thankfully subscribing to the “sometimes the sky is just blue” school of style. He also challenged himself, and readers, by shaking up the plot again and again. At the same time, the story fills its 540 pages perfectly. The Ferryman needed to be scarier and more developed, but it doesn’t feel like a story that needs to be expanded into a trilogy. And it really is completely unpredictable, with all its many huge surprises coming naturally.
It just could have been better in nearly every spot, and especially in the second half. In a disorienting tonal shift that plants the book firmly in sci-fi territory, the weird, complicated truth of everything is revealed there in a jumbled mess of connected subplots. This is a major problem--if any part of a book should be totally clear it’s the big reveal. Like with multi-dimensional characterization and real terror, Cronin has shown that he can organize several interlocking and parallel storylines into a comprehensible bigger picture, so there’s no reason for this problem.
Cronin had a story to tell, and he did in the sense that he gave readers an evolving plot and a tied-up resolution. It’s definitely not a horrible book, but inevitable comparison to his previous trilogy throws The Ferryman’s flaws into stark relief. Overall, it’s an uneven work. Cronin’s ambition hurt the work in the second half, while the rest of the time he wasn’t ambitious enough.
Justin Cronin is at his storytelling best when writing layered, epic stories. The Passage science-fiction trilogy proves it, and The Ferryman, in its weaknesses, does too. This newest science fiction is intriguing and promises a lot, but it's overly complicated and filled with under-developed characters. It’s a somewhat disappointing work from an author who’s capable of doing so much more.
The Ferryman has an elaborate construct of two societies: a utopian one called “Prospera” where some people live, and “the Annex,” where other, less privileged people live. The story’s initial conflict revolves around the terribly named Proctor Bennett at a time when his existence in Prospera becomes threatened. Eventually, the truth of Prospera reveals itself to him in a confounding second half. The story’s sci-fi identity in the first half stems partly from reincarnation with a twist: When the end is near, Prosperans retire to an island that’s home to the “Nursery,” where they are re-created. Their memories are erased, and they return to Prospera in a different, brand-new young body to new parents. That cycle repeats over and over.
The book is mostly concept. Cronin essentially conceived this big idea and then slotted in simplistic, lackluster characters as opposed to making realistic-seeming, multi-dimensional characters equally as important, if not the main attraction. His big idea is also a mishmash of well-established concepts. Reincarnation is of course a tenet in ancient religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, and The Giver also has a nursery where old people are retired to--although not reincarnated. The two realities of Prospera and the Annex is like the “alternate reality” idea repackaged. And the second half appears to be inspired by . That he borrowed and combined all these things isn’t wrong, but the borrowing is strong enough to call attention to itself. Tension arises when life in Prospera starts feeling less secure in general, but it’s hard to care because Prospera and Prosperans are depicted without any creativity: This society is basically Beverly Hills populated by elitists who die in a non-traditional sense. One obstacle at the heart of the story concerns Proctor’s longevity--it’s being tinkered with for some reason--but Cronin didn’t develop this character, so Proctor’s plight doesn’t hold the significance it should.
What makes the flaws worse is knowing Cronin is fully capable of writing better than this because he shows it many times over in The Passage trilogy. Those three books reveal a vivid imagination and the ability to craft a world that’s equal parts dystopian and realistic. And he’s especially skilled at writing terror, a fact readers wouldn’t know if they’ve read only this book. The Ferryman begs for terror. To put it plainly: It could have used a monster, in some form. Inventive scenes featuring absolutely horrific monsters in The Passage trilogy are a driving force, gripping readers across all three books. The always-lurking threat of attack helps readers feel emotionally invested in the characters. Together, that nail-biting terror, immersive dystopian world, and realistic characterization make the trilogy edgy and exciting.
Cronin comes closest to injecting terror in one of The Ferryman’s most unusual parts: . This has a freaky, Black Mirror-esque vibe, but then it doesn’t end in the bang of terror it teases. The book has villains, but he held back in both their development and number of scenes. They appear briefly at a few points, registering as more mean than scary, and the threat hanging over the story is always too abstract to be threatening. The Ferryman has an atmosphere of unease only. Prospera is mundane, not the strange place it sounds like it would be.
The Ferryman does have a few things in common with The Passage trilogy, however. Cronin’s writing remains direct, with words chosen carefully. He writes intelligent prose but isn’t in love with his own writing. He spares readers the tedium of flowery sentences, thankfully subscribing to the “sometimes the sky is just blue” school of style. He also challenged himself, and readers, by shaking up the plot again and again. At the same time, the story fills its 540 pages perfectly. The Ferryman needed to be scarier and more developed, but it doesn’t feel like a story that needs to be expanded into a trilogy. And it really is completely unpredictable, with all its many huge surprises coming naturally.
It just could have been better in nearly every spot, and especially in the second half. In a disorienting tonal shift that plants the book firmly in sci-fi territory, the weird, complicated truth of everything is revealed there in a jumbled mess of connected subplots. This is a major problem--if any part of a book should be totally clear it’s the big reveal. Like with multi-dimensional characterization and real terror, Cronin has shown that he can organize several interlocking and parallel storylines into a comprehensible bigger picture, so there’s no reason for this problem.
Cronin had a story to tell, and he did in the sense that he gave readers an evolving plot and a tied-up resolution. It’s definitely not a horrible book, but inevitable comparison to his previous trilogy throws The Ferryman’s flaws into stark relief. Overall, it’s an uneven work. Cronin’s ambition hurt the work in the second half, while the rest of the time he wasn’t ambitious enough.
January 2, 2023
Sensational--Justin Cronin does it again! An eerily pleasant dystopian world gives way to something altogether shocking, building to a climax that had me holding my breath and turning the pages as fast as I could.
August 10, 2022
Scheduled for May 3, 2023, publication, Cronin’s “The Ferryman” is a boundless science fiction fantasy that will spin your head around in circles. You may feel that you are at first revisiting Logan’s Run, the Matrix, 1984, Lathe of Heaven, Stranger in a Strange Land, and the TV series Lost. That is because you will literally fall down through several rabbit holes as you journey through this novel.
The heart of the story is of course a dystopian fantasy as seen through the experiences of Director Proctor Bennett. It is a utopian paradise known as Prospera where art and science flourish and the ferryman leads those whose monitors have expired to the ferry for retirement or, at least, a return to the Nursery for a new iteration.
The beginning is ushered in with poetic license, leaving the reader to gasp at the wonder of this world, although later we learn that someone has to make things work and there is an underclass that is exploited and resentful. With revolution seething below the surface, Proctor begins to see that all is not as it initially seems and that things are not quite right for all. That is, his world shatters when he learns a secret and learns about Arrivals. As a Ferryman, he only really knew about Departures.
Of course, Proctor eventually is red-pilled and begins to see the world differently again and again. He understands that there are possibilities beyond the horizon and that there might be an escape. The question as always though is what can you achieve through revolution or flight and will it be a better world or just a new design of an old one.
What makes this work is that the world of Prospera is believable and the storyline changes are slowly fed to the reader so that nothing is quite jarring although there are points where a reader might be confused for a bit. All in all, it is a compelling tale that this reader could not put down before finishing in one long evening.
The heart of the story is of course a dystopian fantasy as seen through the experiences of Director Proctor Bennett. It is a utopian paradise known as Prospera where art and science flourish and the ferryman leads those whose monitors have expired to the ferry for retirement or, at least, a return to the Nursery for a new iteration.
The beginning is ushered in with poetic license, leaving the reader to gasp at the wonder of this world, although later we learn that someone has to make things work and there is an underclass that is exploited and resentful. With revolution seething below the surface, Proctor begins to see that all is not as it initially seems and that things are not quite right for all. That is, his world shatters when he learns a secret and learns about Arrivals. As a Ferryman, he only really knew about Departures.
Of course, Proctor eventually is red-pilled and begins to see the world differently again and again. He understands that there are possibilities beyond the horizon and that there might be an escape. The question as always though is what can you achieve through revolution or flight and will it be a better world or just a new design of an old one.
What makes this work is that the world of Prospera is believable and the storyline changes are slowly fed to the reader so that nothing is quite jarring although there are points where a reader might be confused for a bit. All in all, it is a compelling tale that this reader could not put down before finishing in one long evening.
August 22, 2022
This was just a wonderful book.
I was already a Cronin fan because of The Passage series, so I was probably a bit predisposed going in. That said, this was a great story that provided mystery, surprise, corruption, hard decisions, love, multi-faceted characters, loss, hope and determination. There are some lovely passages I highlit and will remember. The setting was captivating and I found Proctor a very easy narrator to go with.
All along the way there were elements that reminded me of Logan's Run, The Prisoner, LOST, the current world and some books and movies with themes I can't even mention because it would be too spoilerific. Okay if you really want to know: . All that kept me wondering and reading trying to figure out what was going on and where this would all end. I got some things right, others wrong and enjoyed it all. After the final word of the Epilogue, this standalone had me feeling like I could check in on these folks again to see how things are going. A good sign, I'd say.
I can only recommend this. Highly.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House!
I was already a Cronin fan because of The Passage series, so I was probably a bit predisposed going in. That said, this was a great story that provided mystery, surprise, corruption, hard decisions, love, multi-faceted characters, loss, hope and determination. There are some lovely passages I highlit and will remember. The setting was captivating and I found Proctor a very easy narrator to go with.
All along the way there were elements that reminded me of Logan's Run, The Prisoner, LOST, the current world and some books and movies with themes I can't even mention because it would be too spoilerific. Okay if you really want to know: . All that kept me wondering and reading trying to figure out what was going on and where this would all end. I got some things right, others wrong and enjoyed it all. After the final word of the Epilogue, this standalone had me feeling like I could check in on these folks again to see how things are going. A good sign, I'd say.
I can only recommend this. Highly.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House!
May 4, 2023
Just when I thought I had things figured out...I was WRONG! Cronin has once again created a unique, mysterious, creative, original and twist filled book! Cronin is a master storyteller and he once again dazzled me with The Ferryman!
Proctor Bennett, of the Department of Social Contracts, is a Ferryman on the archipelago of Prospera. This is a unique living environment where residents have embedded monitors which measure their health - both physical and mental health. When their numbers dip below 10, they retire themselves and are taken by a Ferryman to the ferry which will take them to the nursery, another island where their memories will be wiped clean, and they will be readied to start a new life.
Proctor is good at his job and is respected at work. Then one day he is called to take his father to the Ferry and his father says something which results in a chain of events out of Procotor's control. Soon his monitor numbers begin to drop...
This was a gripping book and for most of it, I had no idea where things were going and what was going to happen next. Then, I thought I had everything figured out. I just knew what was really happening, only to be so completely wrong. When the twist and reveals began coming in, I couldn't help but be impressed with Cronin and how he created not only so many twists, so also many levels to this book as well. He kept me on my toes and had me turning the pages.
I enjoyed this dystopian science fiction book. I am not a big Science Fiction fan, but I love Cronin's writing, his world building, and his ability to craft a multilayered novel. This book is imaginative, original, thrilling, and intense. This book also evoked emotions and was thought provoking.
I was first introduced to Justin Cronin when I read The Passage. If you have not read that book, I highly recommend it (and the other books in the series). I was so excited when I saw he had this book coming out! It was worth the wait!
Gripping, mysterious, thought provoking, and well written.
4.5 stars
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Proctor Bennett, of the Department of Social Contracts, is a Ferryman on the archipelago of Prospera. This is a unique living environment where residents have embedded monitors which measure their health - both physical and mental health. When their numbers dip below 10, they retire themselves and are taken by a Ferryman to the ferry which will take them to the nursery, another island where their memories will be wiped clean, and they will be readied to start a new life.
Proctor is good at his job and is respected at work. Then one day he is called to take his father to the Ferry and his father says something which results in a chain of events out of Procotor's control. Soon his monitor numbers begin to drop...
This was a gripping book and for most of it, I had no idea where things were going and what was going to happen next. Then, I thought I had everything figured out. I just knew what was really happening, only to be so completely wrong. When the twist and reveals began coming in, I couldn't help but be impressed with Cronin and how he created not only so many twists, so also many levels to this book as well. He kept me on my toes and had me turning the pages.
I enjoyed this dystopian science fiction book. I am not a big Science Fiction fan, but I love Cronin's writing, his world building, and his ability to craft a multilayered novel. This book is imaginative, original, thrilling, and intense. This book also evoked emotions and was thought provoking.
I was first introduced to Justin Cronin when I read The Passage. If you have not read that book, I highly recommend it (and the other books in the series). I was so excited when I saw he had this book coming out! It was worth the wait!
Gripping, mysterious, thought provoking, and well written.
4.5 stars
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
May 21, 2023
This book is set on a utopian island, Prospera, that is really under very iron-fisted control. The inhabitants of this utopia live very long lives and then are “recycled” on a nursery island and return to Prospera as 16 year olds with no memories of their past lives. The residents of Prospera are served by support staff that live on a third island known as the Annex. Proctor Bennett is a ferryman who assists citizens as they shift to the nursery. On the day he is forced to move his own father to the nursery an incident causes a shift in Proctor’s life, and the residents of the Annex are growing restless.
I thought the concept of Prospera was interesting, although it certainly wasn’t my idea of a utopia. (I really wouldn’t create a utopian society that needed fashion designers.) However, there was a big twist coming. It took too long for the twist to happen, and I felt that the book was about 150 pages too long. The twist is reminiscent of a bunch of other sci fi stories and I would have preferred it if the story of Prospera had gone in a different direction. The last chapter of the book and the epilogue were too saccharine to have been included in any book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I thought the concept of Prospera was interesting, although it certainly wasn’t my idea of a utopia. (I really wouldn’t create a utopian society that needed fashion designers.) However, there was a big twist coming. It took too long for the twist to happen, and I felt that the book was about 150 pages too long. The twist is reminiscent of a bunch of other sci fi stories and I would have preferred it if the story of Prospera had gone in a different direction. The last chapter of the book and the epilogue were too saccharine to have been included in any book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
May 4, 2023
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
And on the day it’s published, I finally finish!
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Ferryman was everything that I hoped it would be. Some dystopian, lots of wild plot twists, sci-fi concepts, and a plot that’s entertaining and complex.
The Ferryman is about three islands in a utopian-like setting that is safe from the brutal and horrifying conditions of the outside world.
The main island is called Prospera.
It’s paradise living and the lucky few that get to live there are in luxury, wealth, and good health.
They live long lives until their monitors start to decline. Monitors have been inserted into forearms and when this device starts failing, it alerts the Designer and Prosperan government that the person needs to be retired.
When this happens, a ferryman will come to the rescue and take the citizen of Prospera to an island called the Nursery.
At the Nursery, the failing body and mind is renewed, and then they will start a new life.
Not much is known about the Nursery other than it's a secret island of rebirth and renewal.
The island next to Prospera and the Nursery is called the Annex. The occupants on this island are the laborers that serve Prospera. The living conditions on Annex are not good and things are about to get interesting in this "utopian" type of setting.
You might be thinking that this whole plot summary sounds wild, and you would be correct.
I went into this book not knowing aanything and you should take the same approach.
When the plot twists start coming, your mouth will hit the ground and you’ll think, “What in the hell is going on?!”
I loved this book!
The concept of The Ferryman works for me. I'm a sci-fi geek that loves dystopia and post-apocalyptic stories and I could not be happier after reading this book.
I thought the ending worked well. The characters are interesting and strange enough that you’re not sure who’s good or bad. After finishing this, I realize this concept of who to believe plays well with the overall theme of this book.
As a reader, you’re caught in the mystery of Prospera and trying to hang on for a wild and twisted ride. It’s a plot that I will remember years from now.
I’m super glad to read a book by Justin Cronin! Well done and I'm looking forward to reading more books by him!
And on the day it’s published, I finally finish!
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Ferryman was everything that I hoped it would be. Some dystopian, lots of wild plot twists, sci-fi concepts, and a plot that’s entertaining and complex.
The Ferryman is about three islands in a utopian-like setting that is safe from the brutal and horrifying conditions of the outside world.
The main island is called Prospera.
It’s paradise living and the lucky few that get to live there are in luxury, wealth, and good health.
They live long lives until their monitors start to decline. Monitors have been inserted into forearms and when this device starts failing, it alerts the Designer and Prosperan government that the person needs to be retired.
When this happens, a ferryman will come to the rescue and take the citizen of Prospera to an island called the Nursery.
At the Nursery, the failing body and mind is renewed, and then they will start a new life.
Not much is known about the Nursery other than it's a secret island of rebirth and renewal.
The island next to Prospera and the Nursery is called the Annex. The occupants on this island are the laborers that serve Prospera. The living conditions on Annex are not good and things are about to get interesting in this "utopian" type of setting.
You might be thinking that this whole plot summary sounds wild, and you would be correct.
I went into this book not knowing aanything and you should take the same approach.
When the plot twists start coming, your mouth will hit the ground and you’ll think, “What in the hell is going on?!”
I loved this book!
The concept of The Ferryman works for me. I'm a sci-fi geek that loves dystopia and post-apocalyptic stories and I could not be happier after reading this book.
I thought the ending worked well. The characters are interesting and strange enough that you’re not sure who’s good or bad. After finishing this, I realize this concept of who to believe plays well with the overall theme of this book.
As a reader, you’re caught in the mystery of Prospera and trying to hang on for a wild and twisted ride. It’s a plot that I will remember years from now.
I’m super glad to read a book by Justin Cronin! Well done and I'm looking forward to reading more books by him!
May 2, 2023
“This is the way the world ends,” T.S. Eliot predicted, “not with a bang but a whimper.”
Nope, says epic world-ender Justin Cronin.
In 2010, Cronin published “The Passage,” one of the most frightening apocalyptic novels of the modern age. If there was any whimpering in that bang-up job, it was the smothered chorus of millions of people being eaten by vampires.
Now, Cronin is looming over us again with another apocalyptic novel, this one more batty than vampiric. “The Ferryman” grabs bits of stardust from several sci-fi classics. The trippy effect is like watching “Inception” on an airplane while the passenger next to you watches “The Matrix” without earphones. Indeed, to get through this chaotic story, you’ll need the red pill and the blue pill and some Adderall.
The eerie first half — by far the better — is set on Prospera, an island paradise hidden from the rest of the world by an impenetrable electromagnetic barrier. “Prosperans,” as the glorious inhabitants are called, enjoy a civilization “free of all want and distraction.” They devote their attractive selves entirely to “creative expression and the pursuit of personal excellence.”
Like good Republicans, Prosperans imagine that everything about their system of static privilege is “entirely beneficent.” But members of the vast “support staff” harbor a somewhat different impression. Crammed onto a dreary adjacent island known as the Annex, these men and women of supposedly “lesser biological and social endowments” are expected to perform their various duties without complaint. And mostly, they do. If a few stress fractures are starting to zigzag across the surface of that social arrangement, the powers that be remain convinced....
To read the rest of this review, go to The Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/...
Nope, says epic world-ender Justin Cronin.
In 2010, Cronin published “The Passage,” one of the most frightening apocalyptic novels of the modern age. If there was any whimpering in that bang-up job, it was the smothered chorus of millions of people being eaten by vampires.
Now, Cronin is looming over us again with another apocalyptic novel, this one more batty than vampiric. “The Ferryman” grabs bits of stardust from several sci-fi classics. The trippy effect is like watching “Inception” on an airplane while the passenger next to you watches “The Matrix” without earphones. Indeed, to get through this chaotic story, you’ll need the red pill and the blue pill and some Adderall.
The eerie first half — by far the better — is set on Prospera, an island paradise hidden from the rest of the world by an impenetrable electromagnetic barrier. “Prosperans,” as the glorious inhabitants are called, enjoy a civilization “free of all want and distraction.” They devote their attractive selves entirely to “creative expression and the pursuit of personal excellence.”
Like good Republicans, Prosperans imagine that everything about their system of static privilege is “entirely beneficent.” But members of the vast “support staff” harbor a somewhat different impression. Crammed onto a dreary adjacent island known as the Annex, these men and women of supposedly “lesser biological and social endowments” are expected to perform their various duties without complaint. And mostly, they do. If a few stress fractures are starting to zigzag across the surface of that social arrangement, the powers that be remain convinced....
To read the rest of this review, go to The Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/...
Want to read
June 14, 2023Okay, okay, okay. Here's the thing. I have been thinking about this and I don't want to be reading this right now. I am just not in the mood for this type of story.
With this in mind, I am DNFing it for the moment. I am keeping it on the shelf though and will return to it in the future. It's not a DNF-forever, it's just a DNF-for now.
I'm serious. I will come back to this at some point. Maybe not next week, or next month, but someday...
Original:
ARC received!! Thank you, Ballantine Books. I'm definitely intrigued by the synopsis and 560-pages sounds like a meal of a story. I'm hoping this one packs a punch!
With this in mind, I am DNFing it for the moment. I am keeping it on the shelf though and will return to it in the future. It's not a DNF-forever, it's just a DNF-for now.
I'm serious. I will come back to this at some point. Maybe not next week, or next month, but someday...
Original:
ARC received!! Thank you, Ballantine Books. I'm definitely intrigued by the synopsis and 560-pages sounds like a meal of a story. I'm hoping this one packs a punch!
March 30, 2023
I was digging this quite a bit for the first 3/4 or so…but a late-game twist really derailed the whole thing for me. It goes from being a very unique concept to basically a sci-fi idea that we’ve already seen done many times before. And it also just refuses to end.
June 3, 2023
This is almost at once a mystery, not in the usual who-done-it sense of course. The mystery is a “what is this world we live in”, and I'm speaking of the characters in the book led by a man named Proctor. You know the world is off so-to-speak. Proctor knows it as well, or is coming to know it as he escorts his father to his final voyage, boarding a ferry that will carry him to a place known as the Nursery. Funny name for a resting place, and only one of many clues that lie in this archipelago of islands surrounded by water. Have you ever seen the movie, The Truman Show? In the first so many pages, I had that feeling about this book. I was wrong though, and the book showed me soon enough.
The thing about mysteries is that to be fulfilling then the answer to them needs to be intelligent. When The Ferryman's answer was revealed, it was satisfying for me, and thankfully Cronin didn't wait until the very end. Instead of simply being an answer, there was heart and meaning behind the reasoning, and so I wondered how long the author had thought about the problems behind the ideas. Probably quite some time (Explaining more would lead to a spoiler.) If there was an aspect I least enjoyed, it was that body of the story leading up to that payoff had became an extended chase scene of sorts - one side running from the other. Just a bit too extended is all.
So, it's been a number of years since Cronin's last book. I'd call this one worth that wait. My understanding is that he eclipsed genres when moving between his early works and the writing of The Passage trilogy. In many ways, he's done the same here.
The thing about mysteries is that to be fulfilling then the answer to them needs to be intelligent. When The Ferryman's answer was revealed, it was satisfying for me, and thankfully Cronin didn't wait until the very end. Instead of simply being an answer, there was heart and meaning behind the reasoning, and so I wondered how long the author had thought about the problems behind the ideas. Probably quite some time (Explaining more would lead to a spoiler.) If there was an aspect I least enjoyed, it was that body of the story leading up to that payoff had became an extended chase scene of sorts - one side running from the other. Just a bit too extended is all.
So, it's been a number of years since Cronin's last book. I'd call this one worth that wait. My understanding is that he eclipsed genres when moving between his early works and the writing of The Passage trilogy. In many ways, he's done the same here.
August 11, 2023
The end is so much better than the first half that I'm glad I finished. Where's an editor? 5 of 10 stars
May 5, 2023
4.5 Stars
Wow, I was blown away by this book. I was hesitant to read because of the topic and length but so glad I was granted a copy. The opening starts out very wordy, but beautifully written. At first I thought, this may not be up my alley but sure enough I stuck with it and so glad I did.
Quick Synopsis: Proctor is living in Prospera where his job is to "ferry" those whose numbers based on something like a microchip are are dropping(numbers as in quality of life etc) and close to retirement to embark on a new journey. All is not what it seems for sure.
Proctor as the synopsis mentions is feeling something is amiss and is trying to decipher what is wrong. We see him meet all sorts of people from Prospera, the Annex and then the Nursery. How does it tie together and is there a bigger picture in play? The answer is YES!! And its great!
What I liked:
***character development was awesome as was the plot, felt unique
***how each part while different tied together
***Story just flowed without any breaks and it kept me wanting more
What made me not do 5 stars? That ending just, while excellent, confused me a bit and while it didn't ruin the book I had to scratch my head. But seriously 5 vs 4 stars is still a fab read. I did also feel some in the middle got repetitious but overall this was super well written and so glad I got the chance to read. For a 500 page book this read was super quick.
I would give more detail but I went in blind and think that is the best way to go. There is a touch of so many diff genre's in this mostly focusing on sci-fi but also relationships. It pulled these together super well and I think worth giving it a shot if not your typically read.
On a side note there was a point where two characters were discussing books…MC mentions what makes that book good is because you are so immersed in it, nothing around you is prevalent. So true with this book
Thank you for Netgalley, the Publisher and Author for my chance to read this excellent book.
Wow, I was blown away by this book. I was hesitant to read because of the topic and length but so glad I was granted a copy. The opening starts out very wordy, but beautifully written. At first I thought, this may not be up my alley but sure enough I stuck with it and so glad I did.
Quick Synopsis: Proctor is living in Prospera where his job is to "ferry" those whose numbers based on something like a microchip are are dropping(numbers as in quality of life etc) and close to retirement to embark on a new journey. All is not what it seems for sure.
Proctor as the synopsis mentions is feeling something is amiss and is trying to decipher what is wrong. We see him meet all sorts of people from Prospera, the Annex and then the Nursery. How does it tie together and is there a bigger picture in play? The answer is YES!! And its great!
What I liked:
***character development was awesome as was the plot, felt unique
***how each part while different tied together
***Story just flowed without any breaks and it kept me wanting more
What made me not do 5 stars? That ending just, while excellent, confused me a bit and while it didn't ruin the book I had to scratch my head. But seriously 5 vs 4 stars is still a fab read. I did also feel some in the middle got repetitious but overall this was super well written and so glad I got the chance to read. For a 500 page book this read was super quick.
I would give more detail but I went in blind and think that is the best way to go. There is a touch of so many diff genre's in this mostly focusing on sci-fi but also relationships. It pulled these together super well and I think worth giving it a shot if not your typically read.
On a side note there was a point where two characters were discussing books…MC mentions what makes that book good is because you are so immersed in it, nothing around you is prevalent. So true with this book
Thank you for Netgalley, the Publisher and Author for my chance to read this excellent book.
July 4, 2023
Not for me!! Big sigh!!
Science fiction can be a hit or a miss for me, and unfortunately, The Ferryman was a miss. Sometimes I have difficulty grasping what is going on in Science fiction stories, and The Ferryman is a complicated story, and most of what was happening flew right over my head. As much as I tried, I could not follow the storyline or pick up on the themes, and I gave up at the 70% mark.
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley
Science fiction can be a hit or a miss for me, and unfortunately, The Ferryman was a miss. Sometimes I have difficulty grasping what is going on in Science fiction stories, and The Ferryman is a complicated story, and most of what was happening flew right over my head. As much as I tried, I could not follow the storyline or pick up on the themes, and I gave up at the 70% mark.
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley
April 28, 2023
This is a hard book to write a review for. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but it was the kind of book that I found myself reading in chunks (which isn’t at all like me) but I needed each chunk to settle and be absorbed before I could look at the next one. The writing was excellent and even though there were layers of the story and twists and turns that made it a little hard to swallow at times I thought it came together pretty well. I thought the characters were done really well, I didn’t like most of them, but that’s ok. I thought this was a creepily realistic dystopian future story and I can’t do a better job of describing it than the description made (plus I worry about spoilers) so I am not going to try to sum it up at all. This was my first book by this author but I think, after a few palate cleansing books, I may have to look up more of his work.
May 11, 2023
Well now, wasn't this quite the surprise? Not plot-wise (not entirely), but the author and I have not had a good start so my expectations were very low. I'm glad I gave this story a chance nevertheless.
Prospera, an archipelago built by a "designer".
Proctor is a Ferryman, taking old people in Prospera to a mysterious ferry when their lives are over so they can come back "reset" (their bodies younger, their memories wiped). But after having to "ferry" his own father (there are no actual parents in Prospera, the youngest people are 16 and the wards of adults), strange things accumulate and threaten to drive Proctor mad.
The society is pretty much utopic: everyone's life is about health and well-being, enjoying cultural events, even work is about enjoyment. Thus, the citizens live long and fulfilled lives. But there is a flip-side to this Utopia: the lives of the "support staff", normal workers that are living a life of servitude. Thus, it is no surprise that dissent is building and that there is talk about revolution even, thanks in part to a group calling themselves "Arrivalists".
However, there is more to Prospera than all of this and even when you think you've figured it out, the story takes yet another turn.
Having read a number of stories and seen even more movies / shows with a similar structure, I guessed at the "twist" pretty early on. As the author explained towards the end, though, it's often not about figuring out the why/what/who but to see it all unfold. That was a nicely self-aware comment.
Moreover, the "twist" wasn't actually the only one, which was kinda nice because I HAD been wondering if there'd be more to it all.
Don't let the time it took me to finish this book fool you: I highly enjoyed being dropped in this perfect, futuristic society where everything is oh so perfect that it sent shivers down my spine and downright creeped me out. As soon as the first cracks appeared, it was almost a relief. *lol*
The worldbuilding was rich and detailed and the characters were infuriating. I didn't like too many here, no matter from which side. My biggest problem was with Elise, Proctor's wife. God, did I want to slap her. Then we find something out and it made me reconsider and just when I had come to terms with actually appreciating her, there was yet another puzzle piece falling into place and I was .
It's the mark of a great book when you get so invested, you wanna do physical harm to characters, shake or scream at them.
Then there was the writing. Where my previous encounter with this author left me feeling he was trying too hard or thinking too highly of himself / his linguistic skills, the prose in this book was the perfect combination of descriptive, sometimes whimsical, other times sharply precise and literary. I loved the references to Shakespeare's Tempest (not just the blatantly obvious ones).
A professional review I read claimed that the second half was all over the place but I don't see that at all. The story was pretty straight forward. Sure, with twists and turns, but those were necessary and felt natural. The same review also claimed that the explanation was lacking, but I don't get that criticism either. I mean .
So yeah, whether we look at the worldbuilding, characters or science, to use an adjective a friend of mine loves to use, this book is: wholesome.
Prospera, an archipelago built by a "designer".
Proctor is a Ferryman, taking old people in Prospera to a mysterious ferry when their lives are over so they can come back "reset" (their bodies younger, their memories wiped). But after having to "ferry" his own father (there are no actual parents in Prospera, the youngest people are 16 and the wards of adults), strange things accumulate and threaten to drive Proctor mad.
The society is pretty much utopic: everyone's life is about health and well-being, enjoying cultural events, even work is about enjoyment. Thus, the citizens live long and fulfilled lives. But there is a flip-side to this Utopia: the lives of the "support staff", normal workers that are living a life of servitude. Thus, it is no surprise that dissent is building and that there is talk about revolution even, thanks in part to a group calling themselves "Arrivalists".
However, there is more to Prospera than all of this and even when you think you've figured it out, the story takes yet another turn.
Having read a number of stories and seen even more movies / shows with a similar structure, I guessed at the "twist" pretty early on. As the author explained towards the end, though, it's often not about figuring out the why/what/who but to see it all unfold. That was a nicely self-aware comment.
Moreover, the "twist" wasn't actually the only one, which was kinda nice because I HAD been wondering if there'd be more to it all.
Don't let the time it took me to finish this book fool you: I highly enjoyed being dropped in this perfect, futuristic society where everything is oh so perfect that it sent shivers down my spine and downright creeped me out. As soon as the first cracks appeared, it was almost a relief. *lol*
The worldbuilding was rich and detailed and the characters were infuriating. I didn't like too many here, no matter from which side. My biggest problem was with Elise, Proctor's wife. God, did I want to slap her. Then we find something out and it made me reconsider and just when I had come to terms with actually appreciating her, there was yet another puzzle piece falling into place and I was .
It's the mark of a great book when you get so invested, you wanna do physical harm to characters, shake or scream at them.
Then there was the writing. Where my previous encounter with this author left me feeling he was trying too hard or thinking too highly of himself / his linguistic skills, the prose in this book was the perfect combination of descriptive, sometimes whimsical, other times sharply precise and literary. I loved the references to Shakespeare's Tempest (not just the blatantly obvious ones).
A professional review I read claimed that the second half was all over the place but I don't see that at all. The story was pretty straight forward. Sure, with twists and turns, but those were necessary and felt natural. The same review also claimed that the explanation was lacking, but I don't get that criticism either. I mean .
So yeah, whether we look at the worldbuilding, characters or science, to use an adjective a friend of mine loves to use, this book is: wholesome.
September 15, 2022
I really wanted to love this book, the premise sounds so fantastic, it just wasn't executed as well as I'd hoped.
The book starts off slow, introducing you to the world, how it works mechanics wise, and the main character. As we get deeper into the story, we are led to feel for the guy, and his humble life as an upper class person. As the cracks in their well oiled society begin to show the book starts to pick up in pace.
But around the 60% mark, when the big plot twist happens, the author leans on telling to catch the reader up, disguised as catching the main character up and it really pulled me out of the story. I had a hard time getting back into it for the rest of the book, beside the fact that that type of plot twist is rarely done satisfactory. The ending was only so so for me, but mostly because the jig was up, so there was no point in what was happening to the characters for me. The characters that did matter, didn't get the page time they deserved.
If you want the spoiler version,
Overall, if you really enjoyed the show LOST or the movie Inception, you'll probably enjoy this book. I'm not saying I disliked it. It was an interesting take on society, and had some thought provoking points about the human race.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this copy for me to read.
The book starts off slow, introducing you to the world, how it works mechanics wise, and the main character. As we get deeper into the story, we are led to feel for the guy, and his humble life as an upper class person. As the cracks in their well oiled society begin to show the book starts to pick up in pace.
But around the 60% mark, when the big plot twist happens, the author leans on telling to catch the reader up, disguised as catching the main character up and it really pulled me out of the story. I had a hard time getting back into it for the rest of the book, beside the fact that that type of plot twist is rarely done satisfactory. The ending was only so so for me, but mostly because the jig was up, so there was no point in what was happening to the characters for me. The characters that did matter, didn't get the page time they deserved.
If you want the spoiler version,
Overall, if you really enjoyed the show LOST or the movie Inception, you'll probably enjoy this book. I'm not saying I disliked it. It was an interesting take on society, and had some thought provoking points about the human race.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this copy for me to read.
June 26, 2023
Edit: I did a reread of The Ferryman by audiobook and it was even better the second time around. Scott Brick and Suzanne Elise Freeman are superb performers!
Original review:
I’m a huge fan of Justin Cronin’s The Passage trilogy so when offered an early eGalley of The Ferryman I may have squealed a bit.
The Ferryman tells the story of an island paradise known as Prospero which is hidden from the rest of the world. Proctor is a Ferryman who counsels and helps the elderly go to an island known as The Nursery where they “retire”, their bodies and minds are renewed and they come back to Prosperos as older teens to live with their newly assigned guardians. Prosperos is a perfect utopia and everyone who lives there are happy and healthy and have everything they could want or need.
The Annex is another island where all the laborers live who are there to serve the Prosperos residents.
While reading this book, I was getting mad vibes of The Giver, Logan’s Run, Lost, The Matrix, and a few other books/TV. No matter what happened, I just couldn’t predict what could possibly happen next. Eventually, an event happens whereby Proctor begins to recognize that everything is not as it seems and the twists and turns started blowing my mind.
Yes, there were times when I felt as lost as Proctor but those twists! Brilliant! Everything finally made sense.
The Ferryman is a big mix of dystopian, sci-fi, and fantasy, and I loved it all. Although this book was almost 600 pages I flew through it too fast and purposely would stop reading because I didn’t want it to end. I’m definitely going to experience a book hangover after this.
*Thank you so much to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this amazing advance copy!*
Original review:
I’m a huge fan of Justin Cronin’s The Passage trilogy so when offered an early eGalley of The Ferryman I may have squealed a bit.
The Ferryman tells the story of an island paradise known as Prospero which is hidden from the rest of the world. Proctor is a Ferryman who counsels and helps the elderly go to an island known as The Nursery where they “retire”, their bodies and minds are renewed and they come back to Prosperos as older teens to live with their newly assigned guardians. Prosperos is a perfect utopia and everyone who lives there are happy and healthy and have everything they could want or need.
The Annex is another island where all the laborers live who are there to serve the Prosperos residents.
While reading this book, I was getting mad vibes of The Giver, Logan’s Run, Lost, The Matrix, and a few other books/TV. No matter what happened, I just couldn’t predict what could possibly happen next. Eventually, an event happens whereby Proctor begins to recognize that everything is not as it seems and the twists and turns started blowing my mind.
Yes, there were times when I felt as lost as Proctor but those twists! Brilliant! Everything finally made sense.
The Ferryman is a big mix of dystopian, sci-fi, and fantasy, and I loved it all. Although this book was almost 600 pages I flew through it too fast and purposely would stop reading because I didn’t want it to end. I’m definitely going to experience a book hangover after this.
*Thank you so much to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this amazing advance copy!*
January 5, 2023
Proctor is a Ferryman who takes people to die on an island when they have about reached the end of their life. This book is sad, creepy and full of twists and turns It kept me flipping the pages! Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!
Shelved as 'dnf-lost-interest'
May 10, 2023*Many thanks to the publisher and LibroFM for my e-galley and ALC copies.
November 23, 2023
I loved Cronin’s Passage series, so I went in prepared as I know he is a long-winded author.
Had I felt a connection with the characters, I don’t think the 540 pages would have bothered me that much. This book took me FOREVER to finish.
“A life based on a lie.”
This story was an odd blend of Inception and The Matrix. I’m not going to break down the plot, as there are plenty of reviews that already have this. Just a few thoughts.
Highbrow syfy
Complex plot
Emotionally heavy
Unique and creative
Political intrigue
Reincarnation
Creepy and haunting
Time itself has weight. It bears upon the mind—every joy, every regret, every minute of every day adding to the total—
When I finished this story, I wondered if Cronin was simply trying to make a statement. If this story was his version of Plato's Allegory of the Cave.
Had I felt a connection with the characters, I don’t think the 540 pages would have bothered me that much. This book took me FOREVER to finish.
“A life based on a lie.”
This story was an odd blend of Inception and The Matrix. I’m not going to break down the plot, as there are plenty of reviews that already have this. Just a few thoughts.
Highbrow syfy
Complex plot
Emotionally heavy
Unique and creative
Political intrigue
Reincarnation
Creepy and haunting
Time itself has weight. It bears upon the mind—every joy, every regret, every minute of every day adding to the total—
When I finished this story, I wondered if Cronin was simply trying to make a statement. If this story was his version of Plato's Allegory of the Cave.
August 23, 2022
Wow! Such an amazing book. I have no idea how to capture all the emotions I felt for these characters... Cronin continues to create an exceptional world that leaves you questioning your reality. More detailed review to come.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy. I definitely recommend!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy. I definitely recommend!!
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