Looking Backward
About this book
The book tells the story of Julian West, a young American who, towards the end of the 19th century, falls into a deep, hypnosis-induced sleep and wakes up one hundred and thirteen years later. He finds himself in the same location (Boston, Massachusetts), but in a totally changed world: It is the year 2000 and, while he was sleeping, the United States has been transformed into a socialist utopia. The remainder of the book outlines Bellamy's thoughts about improving the future. The major themes include problems associated with capitalism, a proposed socialist solution of a nationalisation of all industry, the use of an "industrial army" to organize production and distribution, as well as how to ensure free cultural production under such conditions.
Reader Profile
3.7/5 · 22 readers · 188 pages · ≈ 3 h 29 m · Moderate
How long does it take to read Looking Backward?
About ≈ 3 h 29 m — 188 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.
How many pages is Looking Backward?
188 pages in its most-read edition.
What genre is Looking Backward?
It sits on the Science Fiction, Fiction shelves.
Is Looking Backward in the public domain?
No — it is still under copyright.
Who wrote Looking Backward?
Edward Bellamy (1850–1898).
Why has Looking Backward been challenged or banned?
It appears on Wikipedia's list of books banned by governments.