Future Feeling by Joss Lake
FUTURE FEELING RELEASES 6.1.21. I was lucky to have an ARC loaned to me based on my love of scifi, romance, and LGBTQI+ stories. Preorder your copy from your local indie bookstore day!
Wow. This book is: wow. I have a very similar feeling to when I finished Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, like I am also the one on drugs; what I assume it’s like to be on psilocybin shrooms. This book has one of the most unique voices I think I’ve ever read; an un-annoying millennial-like trans guy who finds himself on a journey from self-degradation to self-acceptance.
Penfield is navigating all the trials of early trans-hood: acceptance in traditionally masc spheres, internal growth, relationship navigation, along with all the normal tribulations of a 20-something getting their shit together: meaningless job, annoying roommates, family. When Pen gets rebuffed by a trans influencer, Aiden, with who he is low-key obsessed, he has his roommates, The Witch, and The Stoner-Hacker, hex Aiden. The hex goes wrong and lands on another young trans guy, Blithe. The Rhiz, the secret queer org, employ Pen and Aiden to save Blithe. But that’s only the first half of the story of Pen, Aiden, and Blithe finding their paths.
When you begin, you also think you are reading a traditionally structured story but rather than being broken into chapters, it’s broken into what is, essentially, acts or phases. Also, though the narrative is linear, the reveal of information is occasionally delivered in the form of documents, written by the characters, which is just delightful and clever. There is also new tech that mixes with current tech, think holograms in phones activated in Instagram, which enhances the quasi-sci-fi element of it.
As someone who looks at their gender from the corner of their eye, as if to say, “what am I supposed to do with this,” it was wonderful to submerge myself in entirely trans voices, to travel on Pen’s journey, and to be reassured of my happiness right where I’m at. I’m also honored to have gleamed into the world, perspective, and views of a trans person; the world needs more trans stories and I’ll be recommending this book to all my queer and cis friends. -Ford
