The Ferryman

 By Justin Cronin

Adult Fiction, Sci-Fi/Dystopian

Reviewed by Rachael-Altona Branch Administrator

    In The Ferryman we meet Cynthia, who lives on the  island of Prospera, a place that is hidden from the outside decaying world to keep the residents safe. The people of Prospera are reborn as teenagers to start new lives when their health is in decline and through this process they take on wards to help guide them back into adulthood. Before Cynthia is gone, we learn about how she came to love her ward and husband.     

    As we get into the story, we meet Proctor, Cynthia's grown son. Proctor is a ferryman, an important job that involves helping retirees board the ferry to the nursery where they reintegrate and start new lives.  While most people are willing to go to the nursery, some are not so it becomes the ferryman's job to help these residents transition when it is time.

    There is unrest in Prospera, the residents that live in the Annex are not like the people of the island, they live and work to serve the people of Prospera. Life is not easy for them and they and they do not have the ability to retaliate. The treatment of the people of Annex has started an uprising and gradually you find some of the Prospera residents are also not okay with the treatment. 

    Proctor ends up having to transition a family member for the ferry and things do not go as planned.  He overhears things he was not meant to and this puts him in danger.  As he starts to find out more about the mystery surrounding their cozy little island, he falls deeper and deeper into trouble.  The conclusion to this story is truly shocking and most people would never guess what is actually happening.  

To place this book on hold, click here.