Light Perpetual: 'Heartbreaking . . . a boundlessly rich novel.' Telegraph

Five young children are atomized in a German rocket strike on London in November 1944, and this book explores the futures they might have known had they experienced the twentieth century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2022
Publisher: Faber & Faber

From the acclaimed author of Golden Hill comes a mesmerizing novel that delves into the lives of five young children who are caught in the aftermath of a devastating German rocket strike on London in November 1944. This powerful and thought-provoking story explores the unimaginable changes that the twentieth century brought about and the profound impact they had on the lives of these children. Through a series of interconnected narratives, the novel sheds light on the miraculous in the everyday and the preciousness of life itself.

The story begins on a fateful day in November 1944, when a German rocket strikes London, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. Five young children, Lily, Tom, Emily, Jack, and Sarah, are caught in the blast and are atomized in an instant. However, the novel takes us on a journey through time, allowing us to glimpse into the futures that these children might have known had they experienced the extraordinary changes of the twentieth century.

The first chapter introduces us to Lily, a young girl who is determined to make the most of her life despite the tragic circumstances. She is a talented artist and dreams of becoming a famous painter. Through her experiences, we see how the advancements in technology and art have shaped the world and how they have opened up new opportunities for people like Lily.

The second chapter follows Tom, a young boy who is fascinated by science and technology. He dreams of becoming a scientist and discovering new things that will change the world. Through his experiences, we see how the scientific revolution has transformed society and how it has led to the development of new technologies that have made life easier and more efficient.

The third chapter introduces us to Emily, a young girl who is passionate about social justice and equality. She dreams of becoming a lawyer and fighting for the rights of those who are marginalized and oppressed. Through her experiences, we see how the social movements of the twentieth century have led to significant changes in society and how they have paved the way for greater equality and justice.

The fourth chapter follows Jack, a young boy who is drawn to the world of music and art. He dreams of becoming a famous musician and creating beautiful music that will touch the hearts of people. Through his experiences, we see how the music industry has evolved and how it has become a platform for artists to express themselves and connect with their audiences.

The fifth chapter follows Sarah, a young girl who is determined to make a difference in the world. She dreams of becoming a nurse and providing care and support to those in need. Through her experiences, we see how the healthcare system has transformed and how it has become more accessible and affordable for people like Sarah.

As the novel progresses, we see how the lives of these five children are intertwined and how they are affected by the changes that the twentieth century has brought about. We witness their struggles, their triumphs, and their sacrifices as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a world that is constantly evolving.

Through the eyes of these five children, the novel offers a powerful commentary on the human experience and the importance of cherishing the moments of our lives. It reminds us of the resilience and strength that we can find in the face of adversity and the power of hope and determination to create a better future.

The writing in this novel is exquisite, with rich and vivid descriptions that bring the characters and their experiences to life. Richard Osman's prose is elegant and evocative, and he has a remarkable ability to capture the essence of a moment and convey it to the reader in a way that is both powerful and moving.

Overall, "The Future of Us" is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction, and for anyone who is interested in exploring the profound impact of the twentieth century on the lives of ordinary people. It is a novel that will leave you thinking, feeling, and reflecting on the world around you for years to come.
From the acclaimed author of Golden Hill comes a mesmerizing novel that delves into the lives of five young children who are caught in the aftermath of a devastating German rocket strike on London in November 1944. This powerful and thought-provoking story explores the unimaginable changes that the twentieth century brought about and the profound impact they had on the lives of these children. Through a series of interconnected narratives, the novel sheds light on the miraculous changes that the twentieth century brought about and the preciousness of life itself.

The story begins on a fateful day in November 1944, when a German rocket strikes London, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. Five young children, Lily, Tom, Emily, Jack, and Sarah, are caught in the blast and are atomized in an instant. However, the novel takes us on a journey through time, allowing us to glimpse into the futures that these children might have known had they experienced the extraordinary changes of the twentieth century.

The first chapter introduces us to Lily, a young girl who is determined to make the most of her life despite the tragic circumstances. She is a talented artist and dreams of becoming a famous painter. Through her experiences, we see how the advancements in technology and art have shaped the world and how they have opened up new opportunities for people like Lily.

The second chapter follows Tom, a young boy who is fascinated by science and technology. He dreams of becoming a scientist and discovering new things that will change the world. Through his experiences, we see how the scientific revolution has transformed society and how it has led to the development of new technologies that have made life easier and more efficient.

The third chapter introduces us to Emily, a young girl who is passionate about social justice and equality. She dreams of becoming a lawyer and fighting for the rights. Through her experiences, we see how the social movements of the twentieth century have led to significant changes in society and how they have paved the way for greater equality and justice.

The fourth chapter follows Jack, a young boy who is drawn to the world of music and art. He dreams of becoming a famous musician and creating beautiful music that will touch the hearts of people. Through his experiences, we see how the music industry has evolved and how it has become a platform for artists to express themselves and connect with their audiences.

The fifth chapter follows Sarah, a young girl who is determined to make a difference in the world. She dreams of becoming a nurse and providing care and support to those in need. Through her experiences, we see how the healthcare system has transformed and how it has become more accessible and affordable for people like Sarah.

As the novel progresses, we see how the lives of these five children are intertwined and how they are affected by the changes that the twentieth century has brought about. We witness their struggles, their triumphs, and their sacrifices as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a world that is constantly evolving.

Through the eyes of these five children, the novel offers a powerful commentary on the human experience and the importance of cherishing the moments of our lives. It reminds us of the resilience and strength that we can find in the face of adversity and the power of hope and determination to create a better future.

The writing in this novel is exquisite, with rich and vivid descriptions that bring the characters and their experiences to life. Richard Osman's prose is elegant and evocative, and he has a remarkable ability to capture the essence of a moment and convey it to the reader in a way that is both powerful and moving.

Overall, "The Future of Us" is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction, and for anyone who is interested in exploring the profound impact of the twentieth century on the lives of ordinary people. It is a novel that will leave you thinking, feeling, and reflecting on the world around you for years to come.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 129 x 199 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571336494
Edition number: Main