Cronin’s latest novel, The Ferryman Book, marking his triumphant return since the Passage trilogy, unfolds as a mesmerizing tapestry of the extraordinary. At its core is Proctor Bennett, a respected denizen of the meticulously structured archipelago of Prospera, where social order reigns supreme. His role as a “ferryman” involves gracefully guiding aging Prosperans through a harmonious transition to their next “iteration,” wherein their personas are rejuvenated in youthful vessels.
Proctor’s unwavering professionalism is abruptly tested when the ferrying of his own father takes a nightmarish turn, shattering the idyllic facade of Prospera. Forced into a perilous escape from his own prescribed destiny, Proctor finds an unlikely partnership with rebels dwelling in the Annex—a haven for Prospera’s discontented working class.
Just as readers settle into the anticipated contours of a classic dystopian narrative, Cronin deftly unravels conventions, expanding the story’s boundaries beyond the insular confines of Proctor’s perspective. With audacious strokes, he catapults the tale into the orbit of provocative conceptual science fiction, defying the expected trajectory. The Journey of the Soul unveils a tapestry of experiences, woven with resilience, growth, and the transformative essence of self-discovery.
Cronin’s narrative prowess, coupled with his ability to craft characters imbued with authentic strengths and flaws, transforms this literary gesture into an artful masterpiece. The result is a sensational speculative odyssey destined to ignite conversations and linger in the collective imagination.
