When Gavin Meckler's light aircraft encounters a mysterious cloud near Didcot power station in Oxfordshire, and lands in a nearby field, he is bewildered to discover the power station is nowhere to be seen. In the eerily quiet landscape, a strangely silent tractor is making its way towards him. Gavin discovers he has landed two hundred years into the future, into a world that is wholly recognisable and yet utterly different. A gentle, peaceful, sustainable place where it is possible to travel from one side of the world to the other in a matter of minutes without burning fuel, and where everyone is a gardener because that's how they can be sure to eat. As Gavin learns about this new world and the society he becomes part of, he also begins to learn about himself. In 1978, Robert Llewellyn read a novel that profoundly changed his view of the world. News from Nowhere was written in 1890 by the utopian socialist, William Morris, a man now more famous for his wallpaper. In it, Morris attempted to imagine the Britain of the 1980s. Morris's benign fable couldn't have been further from the truth, but decades later, driven to distraction by the torrent of dystopian books and movies that show the world descending into chaos and destruction, Robert Llewellyn has decided to write his own version of Morris's novel. Like its Victorian predecessor, News from Gardenia a shows us a better future where we don't burn anything to make anything else and which isn't hovering on the brink of disaster; where aliens haven't invaded; where meteors haven't hit, and where zombies haven't taken over. In short, a world where we, eventually, get it right. Everything in News from Gardenia could happen. There is no technology described within that hasn't already seen the light of day. Llewellyn's future isn't perfect and may not be very likely, but it is entirely possible.
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About the Author
ROBERT LLEWELLYN wrote his first novel at the age of twelve. By the time he'd published The Man on Platform 5 (his first grown-up work of fiction), thirty years had passed. In the intervening period he'd worked as an artist's model, a bespoke shoemaker, a tree surgeon, a screenwriter, a comedian, actor and TV presenter. He has appeared regularly on British television since 1987 in various guises including under quite absurd amounts of rubber in Red Dwarf; covered in grease and dust in Scrapheap Challenge; in terrifying machines on How Do They Do It? and sitting in a car chatting in Carpool. Robert Llewellyn writes under a rack of solar panels in Gloucestershire, and News from Gardenia is his fifth work of fiction.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Worthy effort that lost its way and could have done with a good technical adviser!
11 Sep 2012
By bomble
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Before I chose this book I was thinking to myself that it had been a long time since I had read a really good science fiction novel. Sadly, I still feel that way now that I have finished it.
That's not to say it was bad or even that I didn't enjoy it. What I mean to say is that my favourite sci-fi books contain powerful ideas and compelling visions hopefully combined with a strong grounding in the science that separates such works from pure fantasy. News from Gardenia simply doesn't pack enough punch and has too many silly technological flaws that 15 minutes of web research could have avoided. Detailing them would risk spoiling the story but let's just say that the prologue statement that the envisioned future is entirely possible seems a bit of a stretch of the terms!
On the positive side, Robert Llewellyn writes in an accessible and entertaining way; the story unfolds rapidly and it's clear that he has enjoyed imagining what kind of society could thrive in future if given half a chance.
Unfortunately the plot development seems to get confused about half way through the book. After a solid start its as if Llewellyn started clutching at things to throw into the mix. I almost burst out laughing when I found myself reading what can only be described as a mini episode of scrapheap challenge which was soon followed by a series of hurried experiences as our time tourist was whisked around the world.
Sadly my feelings for this book gradually worsened from the first third where it was, in my estimation, vying for a four-star rating to the end where I feel giving it three might be over generous.
On an aside I think the book itself is rather special. Published using the subscriber model and beautifully typeset after inspiration from William Morris it's a very pleasing old-world object.
That's not to say it was bad or even that I didn't enjoy it. What I mean to say is that my favourite sci-fi books contain powerful ideas and compelling visions hopefully combined with a strong grounding in the science that separates such works from pure fantasy. News from Gardenia simply doesn't pack enough punch and has too many silly technological flaws that 15 minutes of web research could have avoided. Detailing them would risk spoiling the story but let's just say that the prologue statement that the envisioned future is entirely possible seems a bit of a stretch of the terms!
On the positive side, Robert Llewellyn writes in an accessible and entertaining way; the story unfolds rapidly and it's clear that he has enjoyed imagining what kind of society could thrive in future if given half a chance.
Unfortunately the plot development seems to get confused about half way through the book. After a solid start its as if Llewellyn started clutching at things to throw into the mix. I almost burst out laughing when I found myself reading what can only be described as a mini episode of scrapheap challenge which was soon followed by a series of hurried experiences as our time tourist was whisked around the world.
Sadly my feelings for this book gradually worsened from the first third where it was, in my estimation, vying for a four-star rating to the end where I feel giving it three might be over generous.
On an aside I think the book itself is rather special. Published using the subscriber model and beautifully typeset after inspiration from William Morris it's a very pleasing old-world object.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Jenny Dee
Format:Hardcover
Rather than the typical doomsday future normally portrayed in movies, television and literature, Robert Llewellyn gives us the chance to see the future as hopeful without being sugary-sweet perfect. If you follow Robert's Twitter feed, you'll see right away that he's passionate about green energy, green cars and a green Earth. It was nice to read a portrayal of the future that didn't signal the end of the human race due to our own stupidity. Rather, it takes that potential and gives a positive outlook. My smile grew the further along into the chapters I got, as this world was revealed through Gavin's experiences with the people he meets and the technology he encounters.
I supported Robert through Unbound in getting this published, and I'm so very glad I did. I knew he could act (as Kryten in Red Dwarf: Series 1-8 [DVD] [1998]), but he really surprises by how well he paints these new characters with his words. I related to Gavin immediately and felt his excitement, his sorrow, his regret and his confusion.
I supported Robert through Unbound in getting this published, and I'm so very glad I did. I knew he could act (as Kryten in Red Dwarf: Series 1-8 [DVD] [1998]), but he really surprises by how well he paints these new characters with his words. I related to Gavin immediately and felt his excitement, his sorrow, his regret and his confusion.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Fiona James
Format:Hardcover
I need to declare my interest upfront: I'm one of the very many people who pledged money on Unbound to enable the publication of this book. Naturally, when I received my copy (including an audio version), I was excited to read it. Actually, I ended up listening to the audio version on my cycle commute to work and I must say the story, and the author's reading of it, didn't disappoint.
The background to "News from Gardenia" is that it's inspired by the story "News from Nowhere" which William Morris (yes, he of the posh wallpaper), wrote in the 1890s. That book was a distopian vision of life in the 1980s, however Robert's book takes a more optimistic view of the human race, 200 years from now. "News from Gardenia" is an unashamedly utopian vision where renewable energy is commonplace, whole cities have given way to forests and institutions, such as banks, are the stuff of ancient history. Even the national name is consigned to history as the very rural and agricultural society of, what was once the "United Kingdom", instead refers to its home as "Gardenia" (hence the book's title).
Gavin Meckler is our accidental "innocent abroad" as he uncovers how life has changed over the intervening couple of centuries, and we follow him as he tries to reconcile this new life with the one he's been forced to leave behind in the 21st century. Along the way there's lots of humour, clever technological ideas and a love story. Not a silver jumpsuit or food pill in sight!
The author has well respected environmental and technological credentials, so he's well versed in those fields. In fact, that's one of the really great things about this book: the technological ideas in it don't seem to be that far fetched. I can honestly believe that in 200 years they'll have kettles like the ones in Gardenia!
Despite the obvious environmentalism, this isn't meant to be a 'preachy' book and I didn't read it as such. It's a gentle story that's packed with all sorts of interesting ideas, all of which (for me at least), stay on the right side of plausibility. In my head, the soundtrack to this book featured XTC's track "River of Orchids", which has the line: "take a packet of seeds, take yourself out to play, I wanna see a river of orchids where we had a motorway". Perhaps in 200 years that'll happen if Mr Llewellyn's vision comes to pass!
The background to "News from Gardenia" is that it's inspired by the story "News from Nowhere" which William Morris (yes, he of the posh wallpaper), wrote in the 1890s. That book was a distopian vision of life in the 1980s, however Robert's book takes a more optimistic view of the human race, 200 years from now. "News from Gardenia" is an unashamedly utopian vision where renewable energy is commonplace, whole cities have given way to forests and institutions, such as banks, are the stuff of ancient history. Even the national name is consigned to history as the very rural and agricultural society of, what was once the "United Kingdom", instead refers to its home as "Gardenia" (hence the book's title).
Gavin Meckler is our accidental "innocent abroad" as he uncovers how life has changed over the intervening couple of centuries, and we follow him as he tries to reconcile this new life with the one he's been forced to leave behind in the 21st century. Along the way there's lots of humour, clever technological ideas and a love story. Not a silver jumpsuit or food pill in sight!
The author has well respected environmental and technological credentials, so he's well versed in those fields. In fact, that's one of the really great things about this book: the technological ideas in it don't seem to be that far fetched. I can honestly believe that in 200 years they'll have kettles like the ones in Gardenia!
Despite the obvious environmentalism, this isn't meant to be a 'preachy' book and I didn't read it as such. It's a gentle story that's packed with all sorts of interesting ideas, all of which (for me at least), stay on the right side of plausibility. In my head, the soundtrack to this book featured XTC's track "River of Orchids", which has the line: "take a packet of seeds, take yourself out to play, I wanna see a river of orchids where we had a motorway". Perhaps in 200 years that'll happen if Mr Llewellyn's vision comes to pass!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some good ideas, but ultimately disappointing
William Morris' 1890 novel News from Nowhere describes a utopian vision of the late 20th century. In News from Gardenia Robert Llewellyn brings the story up to date, with a visitor... Read more
Published 23 days ago by A. K. Johnston
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful
A glimpse of the future, perhaps more a romantic notion, but nevertheless, and excellent book, eager to read part two and then three.
Published 1 month ago by R Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent ideas, excellent story!
I have to confess that I am a big fan of Robert Llewellyn in everything he does, so I knew I would like this before I had read a single page. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Andrew Harrison
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beguiling description of the future, but not great fiction
I hugely admire what Robert Llewellyn has done here. Using the unbound format of crowd-funded publication, he has translated his obvious beliefs about the importance of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Max
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful and fascinating, but light on plot
News from Gardenia is a delightful book that looks at a possible future for the world. Gavin Meckler sets out for a short flight in his electric plane, only to discover when he... Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. R. Johnson-Rollings
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
This book has a real charm to it because the main character is very likeable much like the author himself. Read more
Published 2 months ago by P. Wyatt
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Utopian Novel
This is a Utopian novel and as the author has acknowledged it's a tricky thing to write well. I think he does a decent job but in the end it feels more like a travelogue than a... Read more
Published 2 months ago by latepaul
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, thought-provoking read
Really enjoyed this. Interesting and thought-provoking - and just a little bit different.
Will most likely be reading the followup books when they are released!
Will most likely be reading the followup books when they are released!
Published 2 months ago by R. Dowson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking
Less humourous than expected, but actually more enjoyable and thought provoking! It reads somewhat like a travelogue more than a novel, not least because there is no real story arc... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Pieter Hounslow
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Intelligent Utopian Novel
This was one of those novels that I devoured in a day. Llewellyn captivated me from the first page. Gavin is a busy man and he has little time to reflect on his life and little... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Grooydaz39
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