The concept that small, seemingly inconsequential things may have a profound effect on subsequent events (labelled "The Butterfly Effect" by Edward Norton Lorenz) is the basis for this 140,000 word, character driven 'what if' tale of recent history, science fiction and political intrigue. Stretching from the late 1970's through the 2010's, Are-4, A True Story of How We Got to Now, chronicles four main characters and their growing disappointment in "the way things are". Along this journey, the characters' individual personalities are revealed as they confront and discuss the issues of the day and ponder how to better them. The scheme they develop involves an invention that sends one character to a well-known event where his minuscule change in a minor historic element creates tremendous changes going forward. All four characters then re-live their lives in this new, vastly different reality until, alas, the "better world" they created is cruelly transformed into our current reality by three men - well known to us all - who stumble upon the breakthrough and realize its incredible power. ARE-4 may not fit into the simple fantasy/time travel genre, but boomers, as well as their children, will resonate to this rich and compelling story of how our current reality "might have been" had one incredibly small difference actually occurred. And those of us concerned about the broader issues of climate change and income inequality will resonate to the real events and real people the ARE-4 characters encounter along their journey.
