Mindful of Utopia [Paperback]

Merritt Abrash (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 10, 2002

How does a man who denies the possibility of an ideal world react when he finds himself actually in utopia?How does he deal with being the sole outsider in a parallel world, largely similar to his own but featuring utopian principles and customs?What becomes of his skepticism when he finds contentment in the parallel world so widespread that the pursuit of wealth and power holds no attraction?What kind of relationships can he establish with women when he knows nothing of their romantic practices and expectations from life?These questions are explored in Merritt Abrash's novel Mindful of Utopia, the adventures of a man transported from Earth to a parallel world. He finds a utopia featuring universal personal freedom, unlimited by law, status, or economic factors. This is made possible by an informal but unfailingly honored network of reciprocal relationships, some of which the traveler has always believed are contrary to human nature. But after experiencing their successful functioning in his encounters and adventures - romantic and otherwise - with dozens of the world's inhabitants, he arrives at decisive conclusions about his future in utopia and with which woman he will share it.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Merritt Abrash, author of Mindful of Utopia, has published, articles on the utopian and dystopian fiction of a wide range of writers, including Thomas More, Edward Bellamy, H.G. Wells, Arthur Clarke and Ursula Le Guin. While teaching courses in utopian thought and literature at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he co-founded and edited the journal Alternative Futures, edited the anthology Utopia in a Scientific Age, published occasional short fantastic fiction, and had a futuristic black comedy professionally staged. In 1976, he initiated the Society for Utopian Studies, which has become the leading scholarly organization in the field, and for which he has directed several annual conferences.

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (December 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403361428
• ISBN-13: 978-1403361424
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,625,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)