The Upper World
A gripping tale of time, fate, and choices
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Random House Children's UK
Published:19th Aug '21
Should be back in stock very soon
A gripping tale of a boy who must alter a terrifying future he glimpses. In The Upper World, Esso races against time to save those he loves.
In The Upper World, we follow the gripping journey of 15-year-old Esso, who has a life-altering experience after a blow to the head. Following this incident, he finds himself thrust into a chilling vision of the future where he witnesses the violent deaths of everyone he loves. Initially dismissing it as a bizarre dream, Esso's reality takes a terrifying turn when he realizes that the events he foresaw are about to unfold. With time running out, he must confront the unsettling truth of his abilities and the implications they carry.
Determined to change the course of fate, Esso discovers that there is only one person who can assist him in rewriting the future. However, the catch is that she has yet to be born, adding layers of complexity to his quest. As he navigates this surreal landscape, Esso grapples with themes of destiny, choice, and the weight of knowledge. The narrative is a blend of suspense and emotional depth, inviting readers to ponder the nature of time and the connections that bind us.
The Upper World is not just a thrilling tale; it is a thought-provoking exploration of how one moment can alter the trajectory of many lives. With its unique premise and compelling characters, this debut novel promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, making it a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and young adult literature alike.
'A startlingly original thriller . . . one of the most compelling debuts of the year' * The Observer *
Wow! The Upper World is a time-twisting, mind-bending thrill ride. I raced through the pages trying to keep up with Esso and Rhia - if I could read at the speed of light, I would have! This south London epic will stay with you long after the final page. * Holly Jackson *
Older teens will be blown away by The Upper World, Femi Fadugba's mind-bending sci-fi debut . . . the story brims with tension and emotion thanks to the authentic, relatable characters. * The Scotsman *
To have a book that marries real London life, time travel and relativity in an illuminating and entertaining way is stuff I used to dream about. I had The Upper World in my hands until I finished it. So happy this exists. * Academy Award winner Daniel Kaluuya *
This compelling thriller is set on the streets of South East London, a place author Femi Fadugba knows very well . . . once Esso and Rhia's stories start to unfold, this book is impossible to put down. One to read before it's adapted into a Netflix film starring Daniel Kaluuya.
* The Independent, Children's Book of the Week *Truly mind-bending, fiendishly clever, original and stylish - I was blown away by this novel. Philosophy meets physics meets Peckham . . . No doubt about it, The Upper World is destined to stand the test of time. * Amy McCulloch *
A superbly original debut, written with extraordinary ambition and panache . . . effortlessly blends theoretical physics with all-too-human tragedy.
* Guardian *A sci-fi drama that captures the value of self-belief . . . The voices of Esso and Rhia, both smart and curious, are rich in slang and details of the lives and friendships of black teenagers, and their tale unfolds suspensefully, with emotion and writerly skill * The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week *
For days after reading [The Upper World], I was left with what I can only describe as an electricity surging through my spirit. Fadugba is an impeccable weaver of universes and this is a book I will return to time and time again. * Caleb Femi *
[An] ambitious and highly addictive sci-fi thriller . . . The theory of relativity and time-travel science may drive the incredibly tense and compelling plot, but it is Fadugba's skill in weaving this around complex characters and a very powerful human story that makes The Upper World so special. * Fiona Noble, The Bookseller *
ISBN: 9780241505618
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 22mm
Weight: 246g
368 pages