The Future by Naomi Alderman

Extended Synopsis

In The Future, Martha Einkorn has escaped her father’s isolated, cult-like compound in Oregon, only to find herself working for a megalomaniacal social media mogul. Surrounded by tech conglomerates developing private weather control, covert weaponry, and predictive algorithms, Martha realizes the apocalyptic warnings of her father's "fox and rabbit" sermons might be materializing in the corporate world. As the ultra-rich prepare to insulate themselves from a collapsing civilization, Martha questions how much of the future is actually left to save.

Halfway across the globe in a Singapore mall, internet-famous survivalist Lai Zhen is running for her life from an unknown assassin. Cornered and desperate, her salvation comes in the form of a mysterious piece of software that dictates her exact path to escape. As Martha’s relentless drive and Zhen’s insatiable curiosity bring their worlds into a volatile collision, they set off an explosive chain of events. By turns thrilling, hilarious, and piercingly brilliant, this narrative highlights the corrupting nature of absolute power and the extraordinary courage required to stand against it.