Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
New York 2140 summary
Brief summary
New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson is a captivating work of speculative fiction set in a flooded, future New York City. It explores the lives of its diverse characters and the challenges they face in a world shaped by climate change.
Topics
Table of Contents
New York 2140
Summary of key ideas
The City That Never Sank
In New York 2140, Kim Stanley Robinson takes us to a future New York City, which has been dramatically altered by climate change. The city has been transformed into a 'SuperVenice', with canals replacing streets, and the surviving skyscrapers turned into islands. Despite the chaos, life goes on. People have adapted to the new reality, and the city that never sleeps is now the city that never sank.
We are introduced to a diverse group of characters who live in one of the remaining high-rises, the Met Life Tower. There's Vlade, the building superintendent who keeps things running smoothly; Mutt and Jeff, two orphaned boys who live in the building's basement; Amelia, a finance whiz; Charlotte, a lawyer; and Franklin, a market trader. Their lives intersect in unexpected ways, and their individual stories paint a vivid picture of life in this future New York.
The Market as a Force of Nature
Franklin, the market trader, plays a central role in the story. He operates in the market as a 'water rat', buying and selling financial instruments tied to the city's future. The market, in this future, is a force of nature, with its own rhythms and rules. Franklin's story gives us a detailed look at how the market functions in this new world, and how it has adapted to the realities of climate change.
However, Franklin's life takes a turn when he stumbles upon a mystery that could change the city's future. He discovers that a powerful financial group is planning to take advantage of a coming storm to crash the market, making a huge profit at the city's expense. Franklin, along with his friends, sets out to expose this plan and stop it from happening.
A Quest for Justice
As the story unfolds, we see our characters embarking on a quest for justice. They uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of two coders who had found evidence of the market manipulation. They work to bring the truth to light, despite facing powerful adversaries and navigating the treacherous waters of a city that's literally underwater.
Amidst all this, the two boys, Mutt and Jeff, take on their own adventure. They discover a hidden treasure, which they believe could save the Met Life Tower from being bought out by a powerful real estate developer. Their journey becomes a symbol of resilience and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
A Vision of Resilience and Hope
As New York 2140 comes to a close, we see the characters' efforts culminate in a dramatic showdown. The city faces a major storm, and the market is on the verge of collapse. In the midst of this chaos, the characters come together to fight for their city and its people.
In the end, the storm passes, and the city survives. The characters, too, find a way forward, showing resilience in the face of adversity. New York 2140 paints a vision of a future marked by both the devastating impact of climate change and the human capacity for adaptation and survival. It's a future that's not without its challenges, but one that still holds hope.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is New York 2140 about?
New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson explores a future where rising sea levels have transformed the city. Through the lives of its diverse characters, the book delves into themes of climate change, inequality, and resilience, offering a thought-provoking vision of what New York and the world could become.
New York 2140 Review
New York 2140 (2017) explores a future where rising sea levels alter life in the submerged metropolis of New York City. Here's why this book is a worthwhile read:
- Featuring a richly imagined setting with detailed descriptions of a waterlogged cityscape, it offers a vivid depiction of a possible future.
- The book weaves together multiple storylines of diverse characters navigating the challenges of climate change, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
- Through its exploration of socioeconomic issues and human resilience in the face of environmental catastrophe, the book remains engaging, thought-provoking, and anything but dull.
Who should read New York 2140?
Readers who enjoy thought-provoking and speculative fiction
Those interested in exploring the potential impact of climate change on major cities
People who appreciate complex and multi-layered narratives
Categories with New York 2140
Book summaries like New York 2140
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
New York 2140 FAQs
What is the main message of New York 2140?
The main message of New York 2140 explores a future where climate change has reshaped the iconic city.
How long does it take to read New York 2140?
Reading New York 2140 takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is New York 2140 a good book? Is it worth reading?
New York 2140 is worth reading for its captivating portrayal of a climate-altered New York City.
Who is the author of New York 2140?
The author of New York 2140 is Kim Stanley Robinson.
What to read after New York 2140?
If you're wondering what to read next after New York 2140, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- Incognito by David Eagleman
- God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens
- A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
- The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
- Simply Complexity by Neil F. Johnson
- Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku
- The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks