The Mere Future

Description

The Mere Future is a dystopian vision of New York by award-winning novelist and playwright Sarah Schulman. In her twelfth book, the city has morphed into what appears to be an idealized version of itself, the result of what the new mayor calls "The Big Change," in which 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.

Sarah Schulman is the author of eleven previous books, including eight novels, the latest being The Child (2006). As a journalist, her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, and Interview. She has won a Guggenheim Fellowship and two American Library Association Gay & Lesbian Book Awards. She lives in New York.

"The Mere Future" wrestles with the hard questions without losing its heart or humor. As always, Sarah Schulman is a wise interpreter of culture, pointing out truths that aren't always obvious. Her characters try to figure out what it means to be in love in a world where everything is for sale. She's the writer who lets us know if the ticking we hear is a clock or a bomb. --Tayari Jones, author of "Leaving Atlanta" and "The Untelling"--Tayari Jones"Tayari Jones" (03/17/2009) In the latter part of the 20th century, Sarah Schulman was the American novelist who wrote scorching dispatches from the front about the AIDS epidemic. A formidable Swiftian, she continues to lampoon the absurdity of our mores and the world we live in. But Schulman's calm, measured, voice in "The Mere Future" is startlingly new--prophetic, wise and true. --Jaime Manrique, author of "Our Lives Are the Rivers"--Jaime Manrique"Jaime Manrique" (03/17/2009) In this dystopic, hell-ride of a novel, Sarah Schulman, New York's legendary poet-maudit, is grappling with something that matters. "The Mere Future" is a rare combination of brains and humor, by turns enlightened and terrifying. --Nick Flynn, author of "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City"--Nick Flynn"Nick Flynn" (03/17/2009) "In this dystopian hell-ride of a novel, Sarah Schulman, New York's legendary poet-maudit, grapples with something that matters. The Mere Future is a rare combination of brains and humor, by turns enlightening and terrifying." -Nick Flynn, author of "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City" "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"