Proctor Bennet is managing director for District Six of the Department of Social Contracts, Enforcement Division, on Prospera. The social contracts he enforces are those that give the Prosperan population long and healthy lives in return for allowing themselves to be “retired” when their embedded monitors show them to be near the end of their lives. “Retired” citizens are returned to the “nursery” where they are rejuvenated as new people and are then returned to Prospera as adolescents with no memories of their previous lives and continue their growth to adulthood as wards of responsible citizens.
The reader rapidly learns that Prospera is an isolated island that seems to have no connection to any other lands in its world other than the “Annex”, which is the home of the support population for those living in Prospera – the landscapers, cleaning people, and others – who don’t have the benefit of perpetual life iterations, as do the Prosperans. Proctor Bennet is a “ferryman” responsible for ensuring that those who are retired, voluntarily or not, are delivered to the ferry transporting them to the nursery for their life cycle iteration.
The book starts with Bennet getting an assignment to take a “retiree” to the ferry pier – and discovering that the citizen he has been assigned is the gentleman whose ward he was after his rejuvenation, someone he sees as almost a father. Normally, retiring citizens go through this process but in this instance, Bennet’s transportee starts acting strangely, leading to some acts of violence at the pier. This event triggers a series of interactions with Bennet, his wife, and other, including the head of state, coincidentally his mother-in-law. Through these interactions, we learn that the residents of the Annex are at the point of starting a revolution against the Prosperans – and that Bennet himself is the subject of attempts to force him into early “retirement”.
The first three-quarters of the book does an excellent job of character development and is filled with a series of episodes obviously leading to a crescendo. However, the seemingly endless ups and downs felt draggy to the point that it took me weeks to get through that first part of the book. The last quarter of the book, in which we learn that things are not what we thought (in a big way), had a completely different pace to the point that I could not put it down until I finished it. Although the last part of the book successfully resolves much of the open questions from the first, I think the book would have benefitted from some heavy pruning of the first part – there were times as I was reading it that I wished that the book was part of a series so it would be shorter and I could get to some resolution and then move on to the next plot sequence. Overall, the book has an interesting twist (no, I’m not going to provide any clues) that make the time to get to the end worth investing. Coupled with the excellent character development, the reader is invested in the lives of the characters – I just wish the first part wasn’t three times as long as the last section.

I am very sorry to be finished with this book. This is the kind of dystopian story that sticks with you for years. This novel was not read - it was viewed through the lens of the author's imagination (and I don't say that lightly), in its vividness and ability to remove the reader from "reality."

This ARC was received from Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review.

I became a fan of Justin Cronin after reading his series "The Passage" and after reading the description here, thought this novel might end up being a series as well. Thankfully, it is not and is a complete story in itself.

The story feels a little slow at the start, as Cronin builds in the character and world settings, but action kicks in shortly, and just continues. World building was interesting, as the concepts of a perfect utopian environment that renews itself, made me cringe a bit as I am not a fan of science induced stories. Add in that everyone has a personal arm-mounted monitor that makes me feel like a bit of '1984', and I started becoming leary of where the story was leading.

Our main character does become more self-aware, and learns he must place his faith in something he never thought existed. While on the route of personal change, actions come into play that he loses pretty much everything, and becomes a fugitive of those that keep order in this world. While being pursued, he escapes the utopia, and discovers something that really thorws the story into a new light.

Though a bit more 'science-y' than I like in my stories, this was still a very fine read. Technical aspects were easy to understand. The reasons for many of the world events happening whilst the story is unraveling were nice surprises once you reach the near-end to 'wrap it all together'. Truly another good work from Cronin I would happily invite friends to read.

This was my first book by Justin Cronin, and it won’t be my last. It grabbed me from the first sentence and didn’t let go. Thanks for letting me check it out!

Prospera is an idyllic community of the future in which the infirmities of old age, the loss of youthful vitality, and death do not exist. Instead, people are “reiterated” at the Nursery and come back reborn and restored in a new body and start life again. Marriages are via mutually contracted terms, and families are not created in the traditional manner. Rather than births of infants to be raised, “wards” are adopted when the newly iterated souls, in teen bodies, return to Prospera after their stay in the Nursery. Proctor Bennett is a Ferryman – an individual charged with handling the details of a person’s final days and transporting them to the Ferry that will take them to the Nursery. Proctor’s life was progressing normally until one fateful day when he transports a special individual to the Ferry. The man babbles nonsense, behaves alarmingly, and this sets a series of events into play that cause Proctor to question his life, and the truth about Prospera.

“Wait, what?” This is a phrase I uttered quite frequently while reading this book. The Ferryman manages to be many things: futuristic sci-fi, a social commentary, an adventure, and a mystery. Just when I thought I had my feet under me, something would shift and a new layer of information would be revealed that made me say, once again, “wait, what?” This is definitely a book that bent my brain multiple times, but it was not jarring or difficult to keep up with. I enjoyed the creativity and ambition of this story. Some parts were slower than others, but I was remained engaged.

For a while I thought that the characters were flat and difficult to get to know, however as the plot unfolded I began to see a parallel between the development of what was revealed to the reader about the narrative and the richness of the characters – the two elements grew together. This book is ambitious and complex and has a lot to say about relationships, the future of our planet, society, and the individual human experience. I enjoyed it, and suspect that my feelings about it, just like the story itself, will change and grow as time goes on and my brain fully processes the story I just experienced.

I had vibes of Logan’s Run, The Matrix, and 2001 A Space Odyssey while reading. I am not one who casts actors in roles as I read, but I can clearly see Jason Isaacs playing Proctor in a movie version of this book. This could make a terrific movie.

I adored The Passage by Justin Cronin and was soooo excited to hear about The Ferryman. I enjoyed this book but it doesn't hold up to the reread factor of The Passage. It felt very much like a movie plot, which is a good and bad thing. It felt very much like something I have read or watched before, however extremely well written. By the end as we have a car chase action sequence, I felt disconnected from the stakes of the book. I don't know if this is because action scenes such as this one just don't translate as well to page? I highly enjoyed the journey up until approximately where it is revealed they are ***SPOILER*** plugging into a framework while in hyper sleep traveling to outer space. I saw this twist coming but somehow the abrupt switch from dystopian to straight science fiction felt quite jarring. I'd still highly recommend this book, Cronin is a talented writer.

How the world might be in a future time. Justin Cronin does so good with fantasy. He should be the "KING" I love all his novels

I was obsessed with The Passage trilogy and have been eagerly anticipating another book by Justin Cronin. The Ferryman, while very different from his earlier work, is no less brilliant. Mr. Cronin is a masterful storyteller whose books are both incredibly unique and highly compelling. I was immediately drawn into the fascinating and complex world he created. There are many twists and turns, some big, some smaller, some disorienting, but it all came together in the end in a way that left my head spinning. This one is absolutely not to be missed.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine and Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

One of the best books I have read in a very long time with a plot twist I NEVER saw coming. Captivating characters proving that life IS what you make it. Get this book!

As a fan of Cronin’s work, I must admit I was somewhat anticipating at least a little horror. But this was entirely different and yet extremely fascinating. In this novel, that follows the life of Proctor Bennet we get to see a wholly unimaginable world, Prospera, where death is not a factor. One can simply choose to begin again. But from the beginning we’re aware that everything is not as it seems. And everyone’s life isn’t a fairy tale. There are those who live in the Annex that don’t have the choice to begin again. They have very little choices at all. And there’s a faction growing in the Annex that are tired of being at the beck and call of the Prosperans. They want more. They want to Arrive.

So much of this novel depends on the truth being just out of reach and I was riveted throughout while being just as lost as Proctor. I was along for the ride. And what a wild ride. Cronin did such a great job creating this world with richness and with just enough detail to make this a believable situation. I enjoyed the changing narrative between Proctor’s point of view and the third person view of others. I enjoyed that this felt in many ways like a science fiction thriller where nothing was certain and I was constantly trying to figure out the plot. And the twist in the story provided such a great conclusion. The novel felt like a whirlwind from start to finish. Highly enjoyable and easy to recommend

Stephen King was right. This book was impossible to put down. From the first page, I found myself completely immersed. From setting to characters, descriptions are tight. Each word grabs your attention like a vise and refuses to let you go.

This is my first Cronin book, and it won’t be my last.

Thank you, Random House and NetGalley for offering this early read.

This is my first Justin Cronin novel but it won't be my last. The Ferryman is a mixed between a dystopian and a scifi novel. It has an enormous, well defined world and many expressive characters. I was quickly drawn into the story. Even though it has 560 pages, it doesn't feel bogged down and the engaging story feels like a quick read, as you get pulled into the world of Prospera. You want to read to find out what is happening, why it is happening, and if there is a successful ending to the action.
I was a slightly disappointed about 70% into the story when the purpose behind the plot was revealed. I didn't think that some parts of the ending were feasible. However, despite feeling like this, I greatly enjoyed the book and would recommend it others as it is a vast and creative world.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine Books for the advanced copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

This was a fantastic story and a crazy ride. I am still overwhelmed. This story is very well written with characters who were develooed beautifully and with a plot that still has my head spinning.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A definite mind-bender. I love books that make you think you know what's going on only to find out you really have no idea and neither do the characters and you discover what's happening along with them. This books will have you staying up late and continuing to turn pages long after you should have stopped.

This is a very pretty story of grief and loss.

I just wish…well, I wish I loved it.

I liked it.

While I expected the slow build up from Cronin – even relished it – I was expecting to have my mind blown once things were revealed. Mind was not blown. It was a pretty explanation and I realize that I’m likely to be in the minority on this. I wanted more meat to it and was actually kind of disappointed once I found out what was really going on.

Pretty though.

• ARC via Net Galley

This book will make your brain hurt. The outside world is crumbling. Prospera is a safe, protected enclave, filled with rich people and those who serve them. Proctor Bennett is in charge of ferrying people who have fulfilled their lives back to the Nursery so they can become a new iteration. But, Proctor is dreaming when he sleeps, of another world, another life. Which life is he really living? And why is he dreaming? No one on Prospero is supposed to dream. Proctor notices his life monitor is dropping too quickly which means he will be sent to the Nursery soon. He does not want to go. And something is happening in the Annex, where the support staff lives. They are not happy about their lives anymore. So, as Proctor dreams, he becomes something more and no one knows what it is, least of all Proctor. It was a very slow burn until the denouement was reached and the reader discovers the reality of Prospero and Proctor and all the inhabitants. A simply amazing, mind-blowing journey.

Okay, once I started this book, it was really hard to put down! There was just enough off about this perfect world that Proctor was living in that it intrigued me and I loved following him around as he figured out the way to get behind the façade that was Prospera. From blind artists painting faces in the stars, to the unrest of the Support Staff devoted to The Arrival, and the dreams that have been plaguing Proctor, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. When all was revealed, it was very satisfying, though a bit heartbreaking as well. And the ending definitely made me think.

This was an awesome book and I am very glad I got the chance to read this advance copy courtesy of Netgalley! Now on to seeing what other books Justin Cronin has written!

I had a difficult time with this novel, in part because I simply FELL INTO The Passage and the other books in that trilogy. I think it made the emotional remove I felt with this book hit a bit harder than it might have otherwise. This was an intriguing premise, and the twist was twisty, though it didn't seem all that unique, and I can understand why the characters always seemed an arms-length away. But those things were not quite enough to win me over.

I'm apparently not a Justin Cronin enthusiast, and this dystopian novel took a very long time with the setup.

I really struggled with this one. The world building was good, nothing unique but creative and eliciting some curiosity of the reader. But I just skimmed after 50%. There wasn’t a compelling mystery. Outside of the protagonist, no character has any depth. And even the depth of the protagonist isn’t really anything to garner sympathy or empathy. Just blah. I read a lot of pages and wasn’t sure what the point was. Bummer as I was super excited for this one.