Hello, newbie, hope someone can help..

[Lousmart]

Hi there, I've never posted before so I hope you don't mind me jumping straight in with a question?

7 years ago I borrowed a book from the local library. It was set in the future about 'the system' and how the government of the day controlled the population with credits, there was no cash & everyone was traceable. A super-power was trying to take over the world & two people, man & wife were trying to escape the 'system' by sailing in a boat away. It all sounds rather far fetched as I describe it, but it wasn't really, it was rather fascinating & sinister. I would love to read this book again, but I don't know the title or the author! I've asked at the library to see if it's in my lending history, but they don't go back that far.

Does anyone recognise it from my description? I read it in the days before smartphones & checking-in at locations etc, but part of the story was also about how the powers watched the population using similar devices to
iPhones & other smart-phones.

If anyone recognises it and knows the title or author, I'd be eternally grateful!

Thanks for reading!

Hi Lousmart

Sorry I can't help but bumping for you

Also I have seen Abe Books Book Sleuth recommended on MN before, worth a try?

Thanks both of you! I will try that sleuth site, and yes, I have tried googling - but I get very impatient so must try again. That's really kind of you to reply, thanks guys! xx

No problem, welcome to Mumsnet! [busmile]

Thanks for the lovely welcome!

Marking place as it sounds really interesting. I live dystopian-type fiction - would recommend Handmaid's Tale and Brave New World.

Hi fuzzpig, Thanks for those recommendations. They sound right up my street. Have marked them on amazon & may treat myself later cheers

I may have found it! It may be Stephen Leather - The Military Man. Not 100% it's the one, but just having a clear out & found an old holiday photo of me reading this book. I know I borrowed it from the library to take on this particular holiday so it could be. Done a quick amazon search, lots of Stephen leather, but not this particular one. Wish me luck!!

Whoops, I mean Solitary Man!

It's not the one :(( gutted. The search continues.

Sounds a bit like 1984 but no smart phones etc in that. Not sure sorry but watching with interest as sounds a good read [grib]

Don't think it was 1984, but I think I should read that tbh. It is my mission to find out what the book was and I won't give up until I do!! Hee hee.

Welcome!

I am always hunting down old childhood/earlier reads so I know how frustrating it is. I'm trying to identify an old children's book set in Scandinavia, by a Scandi author about a couple of children. Each chapter was a separate 'adventure'. I don't think I'll ever trace it. In one chapter they ate gorgeous little cakes!

Good luck. Did you ever read 'The Lotus Caves' as a child? That's S/F, dystopian fiction. I loved it and recently traced it.

Hi there atreegrowsinbrooklyn, that book you describe doesn't ring a bell with me I'm afraid. I'll hunt out the other though, as it sounds interesting. My fave book I read as a teenager was 'to kill a mockingbird' I've read it again recently and it's even more awesome than I remember it.

Atreegrowsinbrooklyn - your book wouldn't be 'Aurora and Socrates' would it?That was set somewhere in Scandinavia - and I remember loving it as a child. Just looked for it on Amazon, and they only have private sellers selling it, the cheapest of which is £17!!

Sorry Lousmart, I can't help you! Sounds like an interesting book though (and I definitely second 'The Handmaids Tale' and 'Brave New World'!).

IreadthereforeIam

Excitedly about to have a look. Fingers crossed!

[sad}....it isn't but thank you anyway Iread.

Atreegrowsinbrooklyn - Is it Peter and Lotta by Elsa Beskow? There are a few books about them.

Stupid question, I know, tree (:o) - it isn't Pippi Longstocking is it?

Lousmart - check this out, might be on there. www.squidoo.com/best-dystopian-novels

Ladykookoo, thank you for that link I'm searching it now.

Thank you Nora and LadykooKoo

I'm afraid it's neither of those. The target age is similar to the Pippi books. I'll keep hunting!

Sorry for my mini hijack, Lousmart!

If you find out, do let us know. I'd like to have a look at it too!

Me too, sounds good!