Thursday, March 14, 2013

REVIEW: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Oh, what fun The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler turned out to be!  Reading this story, I couldn't help but laugh at the observations two teenagers in 1996 have about Facebook status updates and the like. 

Plus, as I was 14 in 1996, I was only a bit younger than the two main characters and it was a hugely nostalgic experience reading of Josh and Emma and their experiences during this book.  I related to SO many of them.  Logging onto AOL using the CD and tying up the phone lines, listening to a lot of the same music... it felt like Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler stole details from my own teen years in order to write this book and I loved how fun that is to read about.

I really love books with a dual perspective like this, especially when the two characters are dealing with a rather tenuous friendship like Josh and Emma are as we begin The Future of Us.  It takes a bit of time to work out what happened between the two, but there is obvious tension and awkwardness between Josh and Emma, who also seem to have lots of history and shared experiences together.  I really loved both characters equally and happily switched between the two points of view with ease.  

I really loved the premise of the book with the AOL CD and seeing into a Facebook future and never really took much time to work out why this happened the way it did, I didn't question the hows or whys and just went wherever the story took me.  And it was definitely interesting to see how a meaningless action, like spilling something on the carpet as Emma does at one point, could have an effect on Emma's future.  Josh and Emma learn that every conversation had, every choice and small decision has an impact on the major stuff in their lives and I think the consequences of so many actions aren't ever really considered by most people.  Josh and Emma are right on the brink of making some tough decisions for their futures - in terms of romantic relationships, travel and also career choices.  And by getting this small taster of what lies ahead for them both they start to appreciate and decide what they want and what will make them happy. 

Besides being a really fun book, with loads of 90s references that made my heart happy, I loved great Josh and Emma are as characters, how sweet their relationship is and how much this made me think about choices and consequences.  Plus, I finished this book and had a marathon nostalgia trip listening to Hootie and the Blowfish and the Dave Matthews Band! :)

10 comments:

  1. I read this one when it came out, I don't think i got along with it as well as you did (I couldn't get past the "but Facebook wouldn't work in a 1996 browser" thing, but I still remember liking the characters and finding the story fun, nethertheless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I didn't really think too hard about the logistics of it all. I don't really know anything about web browsers or computer compatibility, so luckily none of that put me off :)

      Delete
  2. Well being a very modern day teenager, this book intrigues me. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh! I've been wanting to read this one! I will have to see if my library has it!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This book had me all nostalgic - although not for the AOL CD - or coasters as they eventually became in our house hehe! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah, I still need to get a copy of this! It sounds really amazing, I’m just hoping some of the charm will still be there even though I was only born in 1996, haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was thinking that as I read it actually. Part of the magic for me was having this knowledge and experience of the time period. What will be lost when current teenagers read it? You'll have to read it now and let me know what you think!

      Delete

HI! Thank you for leaving a comment, you've just become my new best friend :)