The Future Perfect {My Thoughts}

Vonnegut and Douglas Adams rewrite Brave New World and find The Future Perfect by Kirk Mustard
 My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Kindle Edition published January 7th 2010By Kirk Mustard
ASIN  B0033AGUPSSource: Kindle copy provided by author to me in exchange for honest reviewAMAZON KINDLE BUY LINKBARNES AND NOBLE BUY LINKSynopsis of The Future Perfect

Zenith Cobra always wanted to change the world. He never dreamed he’d
do it with a theoretical animal.
With war, disease and wrinkles now things of the past, Zenith thinks
life has never been more exciting. He can watch a computer-generated
version of himself star in any movie every made, he can eat like a pig
and never gain weight by swallowing capsules that contain genetically
altered tape worms, and he can feel like he’s living in any exotic
place imaginable -- including under the sea or out in space -- by
flipping a switch on his room’s video walls.
Best of all, he can talk to computer-generated images of deceased
relatives and friends on the videophone, relating to them the same way
as when they were alive. If only he could convince himself, as most
people claim they have, that the souls of the dear departed are
residing in these simulated personalities, he’s sure he could finally
shake his fear of death and become happy.

In the meantime, Earth is losing its ability to support life. When the
world’s last wildlife preserve is destroyed by an insect plague,
society gets serious about saving the planet.

Zenith’s merchandising team reacts to the situation by introducing
“designer nature,” a science that promises to soon enable anyone to
design brand new animals by computer and electronically implant their
man-made genetic codes into chicken eggs. They introduce the idea by
way of a recently designed Dr. Seuss-like creature called the Smelix.

Overnight, merchandise adorned with the animal’s image becomes the
rage, though the Smelix is yet to exist in the flesh.

Soon Zenith find himself at the center of a global debate over using
designer nature to finally free mankind from the cold, cruel hand of
Mother Nature by replacing her with a completely man-designed,
people-friendly, insect-free ecosystem.

But is this plan just a scientifically unsound merchandising scheme
that will keep people in denial until the bitter end? The answer sends
Zenith and humanity in a direction that will completely surprise
readers, making them laugh while opening up to the deeper
possibilities of human existence.

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoy books that have a small cast of characters that are easy to keep track of, books that keep on track with plot lines, books that from start to finish are easy reads, books that do not make me scratch my head in confusion because I am unsure of what is happening.

I can honestly say this book has none of the characteristics above, it does have a very long story line that at times confuses if not downright loses the reader. However while that is true, while there are errors in word spelling, word use and sentence structure throughout the writing there is also a strange fascinating science fiction fantasy taking place that entertains, at times disgusts, at others makes you laugh out loud, and ultimately surprises no one with the way things turn out in the end. Maybe the reason is that we are too cynical in modern times but the idea of a Utopian paradise that is the goal of the society described in this story is too far fetched even in the context it is constructed for me. Not only that but the idea of an imaginary creature that could do household chores, be the ultimate in friendly family pets and all around be harmless to humans was something that just made me shake my head. After all when has man ever created something totally harmless?

This book is for those of us who can totally get into a character named Zenith Cobra or Apex Caliente and take them as they are presented, for those like myself who tend to be a bit more on the pedantic side the flamboyance of Zenith is going to be lost in translation.

I would recommend this read to anyone who seeks a sci-fi fantasy read that has a large cast of characters, who enjoys exploring a world that is all about the technology and exploiting peoples every whim, a reader who can immerse themselves easily with no regards to structured story lines and has no problem keeping track of what is going on no matter how off the wall it may be.

I did not hate nor did I love this book, it showed me just how humanity has managed to continue on a path to self destruction that I heartily hope never comes true. Not only that but I hope that people who read this one understand that while it may be all in fun it also holds real truths behind the zany presentation of the story.

{A Kindle copy of this book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.}

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