Tom Moutchi and Opia Weruche give a powerhouse performance of this intense novel set in a near-future London. Weruche gives the young athlete Rhia a brazen, tough tone, which adds dimension to Moutchi’s soft-spoken Esso, Rhia’s physics tutor with whom she discovers a surprising connection. Esso has the special gift of being able to enter into another dimension in which he can visualize realities that may or may not have yet occurred. The plot is a slow burn, with ethereal music strategically placed in the background to elevate significant events. While the heavy British accents and slang may prove demanding at times for the American ear, this is a singular listening experience. E.E. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
The Upper World
Narrated by Tom Moutchi, Opia Weruche
Femi FadugbaUnabridged — 9 hours, 5 minutes
The Upper World
Narrated by Tom Moutchi, Opia Weruche
Femi FadugbaUnabridged — 9 hours, 5 minutes
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Overview
If you had the chance to change your future, would you take it?
Perfect for fans of Neal Shusterman and Jason Reynolds, this powerhouse, mind-bending YA debut follows two teens, a generation apart, whose fates collide across time-and outside of it.
Today
During arguably the worst week of Esso's life, an accident knocks him into an incredible world-a place beyond space or time, where he can see glimpses of the past and future. But if what he sees there is true, he might not have much longer to live, unless he can use his new gift to change the course of history.
Tomorrow
Rhia's past is filled with questions, none of which she expects a new physics tutor to answer. But Dr. Esso's not here to help Rhia. He's here because he needs her help-to unravel a tragedy that happened fifteen years ago. One that holds the key not only to Rhia's past, but to a future worth fighting for.
Soon to be a major Netflix movie starring Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya! (Get Out, Black Panther, Judas and the Black Messiah)
Editorial Reviews
10/25/2021
Esso Adenon, 16, is just trying to survive high school in South London, stay out of the Peckham and Brixton gang war, keep his Bénin-born mother stress-free, and find the courage to confess his feelings to his crush, Nadia. But life becomes more complicated when he’s involved in a car accident and time subsequently stops, allowing him to see what Socrates called the Upper World—a place where moments of the past and future collide. When Esso makes it back to the present, the scenes he witnessed begin occurring, and he works desperately to prevent one involving Nadia. Fifteen years in the future, Rhia Black is a high school footie player living in foster care who dreams of playing pro. But on the first day of her lesson with physics tutor Dr. Esso Adenon, Rhia, who is also Black, comes across a photo that connects him to her deceased mother. Exploring themes including fate, gang violence, and the ethics of time travel, debut author Fadugba uses physics theories to create an absorbing dual narrative with engaging voices. Ages 13–up. Agent: Claire Wilson, Rogers, Coleridge and White. (Dec.)
"To have a book that marries real London life, time travel, and relativity in an illuminating and entertaining way is stuff I used to dream about. I had The Upper World in my hands until I finished it. So happy this exists." — Daniel Kaluuya
"Fadugba’s debut dazzles, particularly when it comes to dialogue—the London slang flows with ease. A riveting thriller that creatively incorporates scientific elements." — Kirkus Reviews
"A time-twisting, mind-bending thrill ride. If I could read at the speed of light, I would have!" — Holly Jackson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
“An intense debut novel...The science is complex, but the central, emotional stakes are universal: Can we change the past? Dare we hope for a better future?" — Booklist
"The Upper World took everything I thought I knew about physics, time, space, and energy, and twisted it into a new, electrifying story that I couldn't put down!" — Brittney Morris, nationally bestselling author of Slay
"Exploring themes including fate, gang violence, and the ethics of time travel, debut author Fadugba uses physics theories to create an absorbing dual narrative with engaging voices." — Publishers Weekly
“A mind-bending thriller that takes you to modern-day London and then twists reality back in on itself. Tenet has nothing on The Upper World.” — Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of the Truly Devious series
“So much is packed into this relatively short audiobook…. But at its heart, it is a story of connection: to ourselves, others, and our communities. Important and relatable for all.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Fans of Jason Reynolds and Neal Shusterman won’t be able to put down this electrifying debut.” — School Library Journal
An intense debut novel...The science is complex, but the central, emotional stakes are universal: Can we change the past? Dare we hope for a better future?"
"A time-twisting, mind-bending thrill ride. If I could read at the speed of light, I would have!"
"To have a book that marries real London life, time travel, and relativity in an illuminating and entertaining way is stuff I used to dream about. I had The Upper World in my hands until I finished it. So happy this exists."
So much is packed into this relatively short audiobook…. But at its heart, it is a story of connection: to ourselves, others, and our communities. Important and relatable for all.
"The Upper World took everything I thought I knew about physics, time, space, and energy, and twisted it into a new, electrifying story that I couldn't put down!"
A mind-bending thriller that takes you to modern-day London and then twists reality back in on itself. Tenet has nothing on The Upper World.
An intense debut novel...The science is complex, but the central, emotional stakes are universal: Can we change the past? Dare we hope for a better future?"
03/01/2022
Gr 8 Up—Esso Adenon, 16, is a high school student in South London. He is just trying to stay out of a rival gang war, avoid the threat of expulsion, figure out how to confess his feelings to his friend, Nadia, and make sense of the journal belonging to his late father. After Esso is involved in a car accident, he is able to see a place his father referred to as "the Upper World," a place where Esso witnesses fragments of the past and future. Meanwhile, 15-year-old footballer Rhia is a foster child searching for answers about her birth mother and her place in the world. When her mysterious new physics tutor, Dr. Esso, arrives carrying a photograph of Rhia's mother, Rhia may have found the answers she's been looking for, and Esso may have discovered the key to a deadly incident involving Rhia's mother years ago. Fadugba's debut effortlessly intersects two time lines—the past and present—with enriched dialogue and intriguing characters. This fast-paced novel interweaves themes of loss, family, violence, and time travel in a thought-provoking portrayal of life in South London. Theories will resonate strongly with math and physics enthusiasts. The majority of the characters are Black, including Esso and Rhia. VERDICT Fans of Jason Reynolds and Neal Shusterman won't be able to put down this electrifying debut.—Amanda Harding
Tom Moutchi and Opia Weruche give a powerhouse performance of this intense novel set in a near-future London. Weruche gives the young athlete Rhia a brazen, tough tone, which adds dimension to Moutchi’s soft-spoken Esso, Rhia’s physics tutor with whom she discovers a surprising connection. Esso has the special gift of being able to enter into another dimension in which he can visualize realities that may or may not have yet occurred. The plot is a slow burn, with ethereal music strategically placed in the background to elevate significant events. While the heavy British accents and slang may prove demanding at times for the American ear, this is a singular listening experience. E.E. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
2021-09-29
Dual timelines explore physics, choices, and time travel.
Sixteen-year-old Esso Adenon is trying to survive school in South London, but he keeps getting into trouble. Most recently, he was in the wrong place at the worst time, when a classmate’s brother who goes by the name Bloodshed was attacked by some of Esso’s gang member friends. In keeping with his nickname, Bloodshed now seeks violent revenge against them, Esso included. After a near-death experience, Esso finds himself caught in the Upper World, a metaphysical realm where he can catch glimpses of the future. Fifteen years later, a young soccer player named Rhia needs help with math and physics—and along comes a grown Dr. Esso to be her tutor; he is also someone who may know the truth about Rhia’s biological mother. These timelines intersect as Esso and Rhia together try to stop a tragedy. Fadugba’s debut dazzles, particularly when it comes to dialogue—the London slang flows with ease, adding to the sense of place. Themes of code-switching, found families, and loss resonate strongly as well. The novel includes diagrams and scientific explanations for the physics that drives the story. Much of the cast is Black, including Esso, whose family is from Benin, and Rhia, who is living in foster care.
A riveting thriller that creatively incorporates scientific elements. (math and physics information) (Thriller. 14-18)
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940176350869 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | HarperCollins |
| Publication date: | 12/07/2021 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
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