Joss Sheldon's Novel, “Other Worlds Were Possible”, follows Sunny of the Eagle Clan. Sunny’s tribe leads a simple yet harmonic life; searching out food whenever its required, socializing around the campfire, and enjoying a leisure-based society. They live in a small group during one part of the year, and in a massive society of tribes-folk during another. They’re both hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists, nomadic and sedentary, without about five different means of exchange.

Little did the Eagle Clan know that their peaceful existence was about to be disrupted by the "Wogies"; a foreign people, whose peculiar take on life would leave the clan both awestruck and terrified.

These imperialists would use every trick in the book, to cajole Sunny’s tribe into adopting things such as hierarchy, patriarchy, monarchy, monogamy, religion, law, ownership, racism, money, work, and tax.

But Sunny and his people would remain steadfast; willing to compromise, and accept new ideas on their merits, but determined to maintain their sovereignty, and protect their way of life.

Joss Sheldon’s folkloric novel takes the reader on a journey into the very heart of what it means to be human. It asks profound questions about the social and economic structures we take for granted, reminding us that such constructs weren’t inevitable. Other worlds existed in the past, and other worlds could exist right now, if only we were openminded enough to embrace alternative ideas.

By portraying a time before nations, private ownership, hierarchy, and currencies, “Other Worlds Were Possible” shines a light on the long-lasting impact of European imperialism.

And, with a Climate Catastrophe dawning on the horizon, the novel could not be more relevant in the here and now. It exposes those gluttonous humans, who continue to exploit the earth’s natural resources, destroying the environment so they might have more things to consume, even though such consumption never seems to sate their gluttonous appetites.

But, fundamentally, it’s a human story; one which asks the reader to questions their own personality, as much as wider society. The reader is encouraged to assess their humility, empathy, jealousy, pride, and arrogance.

A crunching finale leaves the reader with so many pertinent questions.

“Other Worlds Were Possible" is an extraordinary novel, with a pertinent message our leaders would do well to take onboard. It serves as a reminder that while we may have lost the simplicity of days-gone-by, we can still strive to create a future which looks significantly different from the present. What exists today, doesn’t have to exist tomorrow.

“Other Worlds Were Possible” is on sale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes