The Power

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Naomi Alderman writes a blistering feminist screed that underscores the issues of the power imbalance between the sexes. It's a scathing takedown of the history of men abusing women, but also a glimpse into the ugly possible future of the tables turned. If "absolute power corrupts absolutely" then the dominance of either sex is rife with harm; Alderman is unafraid to spotlight the consequences here, and in so doing, casts an accusatory glance at men, and our society, today. There are so many tangled threads to this issue, and perhaps The Power is one point of the unraveling. Kudos to Alderman for revealing the alternate history that sounds like paradise, yet is anything but. Recommended By Dianah H., Powells.com

In this work of speculative fiction, women develop the ability to electrocute others, which engenders tremendous shifts in social and political power. Alderman masterfully explores the concept of power and how it affects both individuals and the world, without providing any easy answers. Extremely thought-provoking! Recommended By Leah C., Powells.com

One of the New York Times's Ten Best Books of 2017
A Los Angeles Times Best Book of 2017
One of the Washington Post's Ten Best Books of 2017
An NPR Best Book of 2017
One of Entertainment Weekly's Ten Best Books of 2017
A Bustle Best Book of 2017
A Paste Magazine Best Novel of 2017
A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of 2017
Winner of the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction

One of President Obama's favorite reads of 2017

"The Power is our era's The Handmaid's Tale." Ron Charles, Washington Post

"Novels based on premises like the one at the core of The Power can quickly become little more than thought experiments, but Alderman dodges this trap deftly — her writing is beautiful, and her intelligence seems almost limitless. She also has a pitch-dark sense of humor that she wields perfectly." Michael Schaub, NPR

A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice

What would happen if women suddenly possessed a fierce new power?

In The Power, the world is a recognizable place: there's a rich Nigerian boy who lounges around the family pool; a foster kid whose religious parents hide their true nature; an ambitious American politician; a tough London girl from a tricky family. But then a vital new force takes root and flourishes, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power — they can cause agonizing pain and even death. And, with this small twist of nature, the world drastically resets.

From award-winning author Naomi Alderman, The Power is speculative fiction at its most ambitious and provocative, at once taking us on a thrilling journey to an alternate reality, and exposing our own world in bold and surprising ways.

"Fascinating....as a whole the narrative feels ingenious....deserves to be read by every woman (and, for that matter, every man)." The Times UK

"Alderman has written our era's Handmaid's Tale....This book sparks with such electric satire that you should read it wearing insulated gloves." Ron Charles, The Washington Post

"Electrifying! Shocking! Will knock your socks off! Then you'll think twice, about everything." Margaret Atwood

"For diversion (also important in these times), I highly recommend two writers of speculative fiction, Charlie Jane Anders and Naomi Alderman." Ayelet Waldman, "By the Book" column, New York Times Book Review

"I was riveted by every page. Alderman's prose is immersive and, well, electric, and I felt a closed circuit humming between the book and me as I read." Amal El-Mohtar, New York Times Book Review

"Magnificent. I'm agog. I'm several gogs. Smart and scary and sad but true. It's a classic, in the way that it's hard to imagine it ever wasn't there." Joss Whedon

Naomi Alderman is the author of The Liars' Gospel and Disobedience, which won the Orange Prize for New Writers, has been published in 10 languages, and is being made into a film by Rachel Weisz. She was selected for Granta's once-a-decade list of Best of Young British Novelists and was chosen by Margaret Atwood to be part of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. She is the co-creator and lead writer of the bestselling smartphone audio adventure app, Zombies, Run! She contributes regularly to the Guardian and presents Science Stories on BBC Radio 4. She lives in London.