The Age of the Conglomerates: A Novel of the Future

By Thomas Nevins

Now that they are in power, there are no more checks and balances. The Conglomerates, and their mysterious party chairman, have taken over everything and everyone. There is no one left to stop them.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375503919
• ISBN13: 9780375503917
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

intriguing dystopia

This little book has some rather intriguing ideas. Imagine a future where old people are put into relocation camps; a future where misbehaving or rude kids can be discarded (becoming Dyscards) and replaced with a better design. Welcome to the world of the Conglomerates, a place where all government, military, etc has been subsummed into the power structure of this massive organization which controls everything, 1984-style. I enjoyed this book, a quick read with a lot of ideas. The only flaw was that the characters could have used a bit more fleshing out. It was difficult to understand some of the longterm motivation of some of the characters. And it wasn't quite believable that large numbers of people would toss their parents or children so heartlessly. Still, having said that, it did make me think a bit about the social issues mentioned. One other quibble? I thought the end involved a rather glaring deus ex machina. But I don't want to spoil it by saying too much here. I will watch for other novels by the author, and look forward to seeing him grow in literary confidence.

grim future of a genetic contoured world

In 2048, the Conglomerates political party led by the mythical "Chairman" runs the country based on one commandment: strict enforcement of economic law using force. The country has been divided into zones of sorts; the octogenarian "Coots" live in Cootsland enforced retirement camps in the southwest out of sight and not draining society while out of control young runaway "Dyscards" live in the New York City subways. New York Medical Center, director of genetic contouring Dr. Christine Salter feels strongly that she and her team provide an important public service when they assist people in trouble by recreating them or their children using genetic manipulation. However, her perfectly balanced world collapses starting with her top aide Gabriel Cruz vanishing after being accused of seditious crimes against the state. Her grandparents turning eighty are deported from the mainland to "Cootsland," and her sister runs away becoming a Dyscard. All this makes Christine reexamine what she does at the same time she begins to uncover a nefarious disturbing conspiracy to tighten the Conglomerates control of society starting with "youthenizing" the Chairman. Combining the premises of 1984, Logan's Run and Soylent Green, Thomas Nevins provides a grim future of a genetic contoured world. The story line is fast-paced, but owned by Christine who had always thought her work as valuable to people until recent societal events shake her to her core. Although the Conglomerates comes across sort of like an extremely evil Maoist Communist Party, readers will enjoy this fine thriller starring a reformed David-ette battling Goliath. Harriet Klausner

wonderful and complex.

Completely enjoyed this novel of the near future. A cautionary tale of what might happen if corporations ruled the world. Not that far fetched if you look at what is happening today. Read it and enjoy.