ABOUT THE BOOK
Written by Mark Lavine
Ages: 13-18 | 315 Pages
Publisher: Mark Lavine (2022) | ISBN-13: 9798218130947
Publisher’s Book Summary: What if you could live hundreds of years – but never age?
In the year 2315 you can live for hundreds of years and never age past eleven. That is, if you’re one of the lucky ones. But the not-so-lucky ones are disturbingly close, and they’re threatening your safety, security, and even your deepest beliefs. Soon, it will be all-out war.
Among a chosen few, life expectancy is now hundreds of years; these are the forever children, and science has found a way to keep them in a nearly endless childhood state. Secure in their giant hives, they have left the outsiders, who must live natural lives, to fend for themselves.
This is the story of Kianno and Seelin, two youths who find themselves trading places in this strange new world, one leading the life of a forever child and the other growing up in the anarchy of the outside world.
Their lives come together in surprising and unexpected ways, as they both become involved in a fierce struggle between the two worlds.
Discover for yourself a future world of eternal childhood, and the nightmares and battles which erupt from this seemingly innocent society.
But the quest for endless youth comes at a cost.
How will Kianno and Seelin survive in this battle for eternal life?
Interview with the Author
A large theme of the novel is youth. What is one thing you would reclaim from your youth if you could, and one thing you’re happy is in your past now that you’re older?
I suppose what I miss and what I’m glad to be done with are really just two sides of the same thing: having all the possibilities of life ahead of you. On the one hand, it’s great to be able to dream and imagine all the wonderful things which might lie ahead, but along with that comes the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the fear that you just as well might fail miserably at life and end up poor, unhappy, and alone. You trade one for another as time goes on, until at my age there remains little fear, but also fewer dreams of what might be. I still do have dreams, but of course they can’t be nearly as ambitious as those of my youth.
I’m always interested in learning more about an author’s writing process. What is one way this book has changed from the first draft to the final one?
For ForeverChild, the changes were primarily editorial in nature. I did not go back and make any major plot or character shifts. Mostly just refining and polishing word and sentence choices.
You’ve mentioned previously that science fiction writers will come up with ideas by observing current trends and extrapolating them into what they think could be in the future. One of my favorite science fiction universes is Star Trek, as many of the futuristic tech pieces they featured now seem to be turning into ‘science fact’. What is one science fiction work (either movie or book) where you think the creators did a good job predicting the future?
Well, of course 1984 stands out as a great work which foreshadowed the extent to which society has been influenced (some might say controlled) by technology. Orwell also accurately predicted many aspects of what this technology would look like, from facial recognition to artificial intelligence. Jules Verne and Mary Shelley were two other science fiction authors who were able to predict specific technological advances well before their time.
Emerging science can be complicated, and sometimes it can be a challenge to make topics accessible to younger readers. How did you approach that challenge in writing this book?
I did not try to make these topics accessible to younger readers. ForeverChild was not written as a young adult novel, so I did not tailor it or try to fit it into any kind of mold designed to appeal to young adults. I wrote it as an adult novel, and it was only when teenagers and young adults began to take an interest in this book that I recognized its appeal to this age group. My own opinion is that the more advanced young adult readers are sophisticated enough that you don’t need to try and write a book just for them. I believe many of these readers are looking for something outside the standard ‘young adult’ fare.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hate to duck this question, but I’m going to anyway. Different readers have taken away so many different feelings, emotions, thoughts, messages, and ideas, that I would be presumptuous to try and declare any of these as more or less valid. The book provides a platform for the discussion of many social issues, and my own interpretation is no more “right” or “correct” than any other reader’s take. I strongly believe that the impact of a novel is not created by the author, but by the reader. The author can only provide a story which is rich enough to provide the opportunity for the readers themselves to create their own impact.
Aside from writing, what is one thing you do for fun?
I love to hike, cross country ski, and read.
What projects are you working on next?
I am working on a novel which is contemporary, and not science fiction. It involves a prisoner and his escape, so I have had to research some new areas, but I am enjoying working on it and I am excited about its possibilities.
About the Author
Mark Lavine is the author of four novels: Dr. Prozac, ForeverChild, Victimless Crimes, and Windekind. He lives in the mountains of Vermont with his wife, daughter, and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He loves to take long hikes through the nearby woods, and to cross-country ski in the winter. The dog likes to join in these adventures, but the dog mostly prefers long naps.
For more information, visit http://www.marklavine.net/.
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-A signed poster
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TOUR SCHEDULE Friday, September 1, 2023 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of ForeverChild Monday, September 4, 2023 The Momma Spot Book Review of ForeverChild Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Stargirls.Magical.Tale Book Review of ForeverChild Wednesday, September 6, 2023 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Book Review of ForeverChild Thursday, September 7, 2023 Life Is What It’s Called Author Interview with Mark Lavine Friday, September 8, 2023 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of ForeverChild Monday, September 11, 2023 A Blue Box Full of Books Book Review of ForeverChild and Little Free Library Drop Tuesday, September 12, 2023 One More Exclamation Book Review of ForeverChild Wednesday, September 13, 2023 Froggy Read Teach Book Review of ForeverChild Thursday, September 14, 2023 Mommy’s Block Party Book Review of ForeverChild Friday, September 15, 2023 Eye-Rolling Demigod’s Book Blog Author Interview with Mark Lavine Wednesday, September 20, 2023 Country Mamas with Kids Book Review of ForeverChild Thursday, September 21, 2023 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Giveaway of ForeverChild
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