From the nation that elected Barack Obama in the flames of economic disaster comes the first novel of the New Era, The Mere Future, by award-winning novelist, activist, and playwright Sarah Schulman. In this dystopian vision, New York City has morphed into an idealized version of itself, the result of what the newly elected mayor calls The Big Change. Rent is cheap, homelessness is over, and everyone works in Marketing. Despite the utopian surface, however, there is a disturbing malaise that infects the population. Our heroine, a lowly copywriter, and her girlfriend Nadine just want to fall in love all over again, but can't help noticing that the social packaging may not be recyclable.
Calling on all genres?literary fiction, mystery, fantasy, poetry, and stand-up comedy?Schulman invents a literature that reflects the lives we live right now while being funny, sexy, and open-hearted.
Sparkling with witty and provocative social commentary, The Mere Future is a startlingly sharp-eyed prophecy of the world to come that blows literary conventions out of the water.
Industry Reviews
"Clever word craft, poetic political satire and biting humor on every page." -Publishers Weekly
"Schulman injects wry political commentary and sly cultural satire into her intellectually dynamic plot with infectious constancy." -Richard Labonte, Book Marks
"Shockingly of the moment ... The Mere Future is set a few years hence 'when things are slightly better because there has been a big change,' and, as she always does, Schulman fashions a writing style that suits the setting ... [This] is probably Schulman's funniest book." -Lambda Book Report
"The Mere Future is an intelligently written satire ... Excellently crafted prose, reminiscent of Oscar Wilde." -New York Journal of Books
"Schulman's humor is painfully sharp, her sarcasm sharper, and her intellect sharpest of all. If you play with her, she'll show you some things you probably didn't want -- but needed -- to know." -Liberty Press
"In The Mere Future, Sarah Schulman emerges as a unique voice in speculative fiction." -East Bay Express
