'Crystal Age' Summary

The novel opens with a young man named Richard, born into a future society that has achieved a state of near-perfection. Technology has been harnessed for the good of humanity, nature has been preserved and cherished, and war and conflict are unknown. Richard's upbringing is idyllic, filled with the beauty of the natural world and the wisdom of his elders. However, he is also aware of the existence of a darker past, a time of violence and destruction that has been overcome through a spiritual and social evolution. As Richard grows older, he begins to question the nature of this utopian existence. He discovers fragments of a lost history that hint at the human capacity for both great cruelty and great love. He grapples with the paradox of progress and the potential for regress. The novel explores the delicate balance between the natural world and human civilization, the power of spiritual connection, and the ever-present possibility of human fallibility. Through Richard's journey, Hudson offers a compelling vision of a utopian future, but one that is not without its complexities and challenges.