The Future

Nobel Prize-winning poet Wislawa Szymborska writes, “When I pronounce the word Future, / the first syllable already belongs to the past." How does our vision of the future impact the way we live now? Do we have any control over what the future holds, or is the future inherently unknowable? In this thematic collection we've gathered texts that address these questions and others as they imagine the future.

The Game of Silence

by Louise Erdrich

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Hope, Indigenous Identity, Coming of Age, Future, Animals, Self Discovery, Colonialism

Tags Historical Fiction, American Literature, Children`s Literature, World History

The Game of Silence is work of middle-grade historical fiction by contemporary American author Louise Erdrich. Published in 2005, it is the second novel in Erdrich’s Birchbark House series. The first novel in this series, The Birchbark House (1999), is set in 1847 and introduces Omakayas and her family. The Birchbark House was a finalist for the prestigious National Book Award. With The Game of Silence, Erdrich continues the saga of Omakayas’s family, and this... Read The Game of Silence Summary

The Garden of Forking Paths

by Jorge Luis Borges

Publication year 1941

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Fate, Future, The Past

Tags World War I, Latin American Literature, Science Fiction, Science & Nature, Fantasy, World History, Magical Realism, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

In his short story “The Garden of Forking Paths,” Jorge Luis Borges uses the metaphor of the labyrinth to suggest the presence of infinite possible realities. First published in 1941 under the Spanish title “El jardín de senderos que se bifurcan,” the story reflects new modes of thought and expression, ranging from developments in quantum mechanics to the advent of detective thrillers. A spy mystery, a philosophical puzzle, and a mythic history all in one... Read The Garden of Forking Paths Summary

The Golden Bowl

by Henry James

Publication year 1904

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Loyalty & Betrayal, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Loneliness, Love, Shame & Pride, Midlife, Future, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Fathers, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, American Literature, US History, World History

The Golden Bowl is a 1904 novel by Henry James. The novel explores the intricacies of marriage and affairs in the early 19th century through the affair of Amerigo and Charlotte, who were once in love but too poor to marry. Amerigo instead marries Maggie, and Charlotte marries Maggie’s father, a wealthy American museum curator. While Amerigo is at first happy with his new wife, the time she spends with her father creates an opportunity... Read The Golden Bowl Summary

The Harbinger

by Jonathan Cahn

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Future, Globalization

Tags Christian, Religion & Spirituality, Mystery & Crime Fiction

The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic Jewish rabbi and author, is Cahn’s debut novel. The Harbinger is described as a Christian novel; it uses and relies on themes, concepts, and scripture that are prevalent in the Old Testament. It was initially published in September 2011 by FrontLine, an imprint of Charisma House, which is a religious publishing group dedicated to spreading religious messages. FrontLine is the imprint of Charisma House used for discussing cultural... Read The Harbinger Summary

The Heretic's Daughter

by Kathleen Kent

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Death, Future, The Past, Food, Family, Mothers, Colonialism, Community, Politics & Government, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, US History

The Heretic’s Daughter (2008) is the debut novel of author Kathleen Kent. Upon publication, it immediately made the New York Times bestseller list. Kent followed this title with two other best-selling historical fiction works: The Traitor’s Wife (2010) and The Outcasts (2013). She also wrote a crime fiction trilogy that was nominated for an Edgar Award. A resident of Texas, Kent was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters in 2020 for her contribution to... Read The Heretic's Daughter Summary

The Institute

by Stephen King

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Community, Safety & Danger, Family, Future, Truth & Lies, Power & Greed, Perseverance

Tags Horror & Suspense, Science Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

Critically acclaimed, The Institute (2019) is the 60th entry in Stephen King’s body of more than 100 works. While best known as a horror writer (and one of the most popular writers since the 1970s in general), King dabbles in many genres, including fantasy, mystery, and science fiction—often blurring the boundaries between them. The Institute is more sci-fi thriller than horror, sharing story beats and themes with King’s earlier novels Firestarter and It: It follows... Read The Institute Summary

The Juvie Three

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, The Past, Future, Coming of Age

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor

The Juvie Three (2008) is a young adult novel by Gordon Korman. It is a unique coming-of-age story about personal transformation and found family, and a commentary on the stigmas that often burden those held back by their pasts. Korman challenges these societal perceptions and shows that we all have the power to change. This study guide references the 2008 paperback edition from Hyperion Books.Plot SummaryGraham Fosse, known as “Gecko,” drives a stolen getaway car... Read The Juvie Three Summary

The Last Man

by Mary Shelley

Publication year 1826

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Order & Chaos, Nature Versus Nurture, Death, Loneliness, Future

Tags Classic Fiction, Science Fiction, Gothic Literature, Horror & Suspense, World History

... Read The Last Man Summary

The Lifted Veil

by George Eliot

Publication year 1859

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Future, Death

Tags Horror & Suspense, Classic Fiction, Gothic Literature, British Literature, World History, Victorian Era

The Lifted Veil by George Eliot is a novella that explores themes of clairvoyance, the limits of consciousness, sympathy, and Victorian-era scientific interests. George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, published The Lifted Veil in the English literary magazine Maga in July 1859 after the success of her first novel, Adam Bede. In The Lifted Veil, Eliot writes of the idealistic and egocentric Latimer, who is in love with his brother’s fiancée and... Read The Lifted Veil Summary

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

by Sherman Alexie

Publication year 1993

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Community, Race, Memory, Indigenous Identity, Language, Future

Tags American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor, Relationships

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven is a collection of 24 loosely connected short stories by writer Sherman Alexie; all are set on or near the Spokane Reservation in Washington state. As a Salish descendant (his mother was of Spokane heritage and his father of Coeur d’Alene) and celebrated author, Alexie has become a mouthpiece for Northwestern American Indigenous tribes. Two stories cut from the original 1993 publication have been reinserted in the... Read The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven Summary

The Man Who Planted Trees

by Jean Giono

Publication year 1953

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Environment, Future, Community, Birth

Tags Symbolic Narrative, Science & Nature, French Literature, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

“The Man Who Planted Trees” is a short story published in 1953 by French author Jean Giono. It chronicles a shepherd’s three-decade-long effort to reforest a barren tract of land in Southeastern France. Spanning a time period shortly before World War I until shortly after World War II, the story is both an antiwar allegory and an environmental allegory. “The Man Who Planted Trees” inspired numerous adaptations across various mediums, including a 1988 Academy Award-winning... Read The Man Who Planted Trees Summary

The Marvelous Land of Oz

by L. Frank Baum

Publication year 1904

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Hope, Love, Femininity, Gender Identity, Language, Masculinity, Mental Health, Childhood & Youth, Death, Future, The Past, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Plants, Nature Versus Nurture, Objects & Materials, Place, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Beauty, Equality, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure

... Read The Marvelous Land of Oz Summary

The Ministry of Time

by Kaliane Bradley

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Love, Regret, Race, Future, The Past, Climate, Environment, Social Class, Community, Economics, Globalization, Immigration, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags World History, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction

... Read The Ministry of Time Summary

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

by Robin S. Sharma

Publication year 1996

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Future, Midlife, Self Discovery, Mental Health, Beauty, Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Gratitude, Fate, Religion & Spirituality, Environment

Tags Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality, Inspirational, Psychology, Business & Economics, Psychology, Philosophy

... Read The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari Summary

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

by Robert A. Heinlein

Publication year 1966

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Politics & Government, War, Future, Colonialism, Economics, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (1966) by Robert Heinlein is a classic science fiction novel. It is set in a future in which the Earth has established a penal colony on the Moon. The story follows a revolutionary movement as the Lunar residents rebel against Earth to fight for their economic independence and self-governance. A shorter version of this novel was serialized in The Worlds of If magazine in 1965 and 1966. Robert Heinlein is... Read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Summary

The Mountain in the Sea

by Ray Nayler

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Animals, Apathy, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Hope, Loneliness, Memory, Future, Appearance & Reality, Climate, Environment, Place, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Globalization, Politics & Government, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, Science & Nature, Animals

... Read The Mountain in the Sea Summary