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Erasure
In his first novel - Erasure - A.T.H. Webber explores how our current state of total-connectedness might compel others to actively remove themselves from history, and leads the main character across countries and continents trying to grasp at the weakening threads that link to Her.
Incorporating murder and the concept that we are all being watched, the data of our day to day lives creating a perfect image of who we are, and how that data links us, not to our past, but our future.
A contemporary novel about love, loss and the realisation that nothing is hidden, in fact privacy is little more than an illusion.
Incorporating murder and the concept that we are all being watched, the data of our day to day lives creating a perfect image of who we are, and how that data links us, not to our past, but our future.
A contemporary novel about love, loss and the realisation that nothing is hidden, in fact privacy is little more than an illusion.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
13 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
A.T.H. Webber
3 books4 followersAndrew is originally from Melbourne, Australia -- now living in a small country town just outside Australia's capital city, Canberra.
Despite a dislike for heat, sand, and treeless vistas, he spent 8 years living and working in the Middle East.
He is an award-winning novelist who, like many awarded fiction writers, often pays the bills by writing and editing for other people.
His most recent success came from "Erasure" making top 5 in the 2016 Montgrappa prize -- the pinnacle award at the Dubai International Festival of Literature.
He has a Bachelor degree in Professional Writing & Publishing; minoring in Security, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism.
He:
Runs slowly.
Is a coffee snob.
Hates elevator pitches.
And is grateful for the support given to him by his partner of more than 20 years.
Despite a dislike for heat, sand, and treeless vistas, he spent 8 years living and working in the Middle East.
He is an award-winning novelist who, like many awarded fiction writers, often pays the bills by writing and editing for other people.
His most recent success came from "Erasure" making top 5 in the 2016 Montgrappa prize -- the pinnacle award at the Dubai International Festival of Literature.
He has a Bachelor degree in Professional Writing & Publishing; minoring in Security, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism.
He:
Runs slowly.
Is a coffee snob.
Hates elevator pitches.
And is grateful for the support given to him by his partner of more than 20 years.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 24, 2017
"... the soul is bound here on earth while there is cohesive evidence to support its previous existence..."
The concept and the story of this well written and to the point novel, gives the reader not only an 'on the edge of your seat' and 'cannot put it down' experience, but also a completely relevant and often unthought of element of our existence to really think about - how will I be remembered, for how long and how will this influence and impact on what is to happen, if anything, next.
The concept and the story of this well written and to the point novel, gives the reader not only an 'on the edge of your seat' and 'cannot put it down' experience, but also a completely relevant and often unthought of element of our existence to really think about - how will I be remembered, for how long and how will this influence and impact on what is to happen, if anything, next.
July 19, 2012
One of the rare times that I have pretty much read a book cover to cover. You are taken on an intriguing journey with many twists and turns, which keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting to find out more. It is book that everyone should read as we delve further into the digital age - not only is it a great story but it certainly makes you think more about your own personal online presence. Am eagerly awaiting the next installments!
August 18, 2017
I don't know if the concept behind this story has any basis in any real world beliefs, but I found it quite interesting, especially when the technological aspect was thrown in. The story centres around the belief that, when we die, we go to an intermediary stage, where we can act as a sort of angel or guiding influence for those that are left behind. When the last person who remembers us dies, our soul can move on to whatever afterlife there is, and the soul of that last person takes our place. Erasure is the practice of erasing a person's imprint on the world so that they can move on quicker. This involves murder, and the release of viruses to alter any digital presence beyond recognition. Other factions of this "religion" may try to do as much good as possible in their lifetime in order to be remembered for longer and therefore be able to be an angel for longer before they move on, and some chose to do terrible things for the same reason.
Overall I enjoyed it, it was a little like Angels and Demons with computers. It took me a while to get into it, I found the writing a little dense, and it dawned on me partway through that the author doesn't use any contractions (you are instead of you're etc) even in dialogue, which is surprisingly hard to read. I read it because I was looking for books that are similar to the Black Mirror series, specifically the tech side of the stories. I wouldn't say that this was really very similar, but it did have some interesting ideas about what tech has the potential to do in our lives.
Overall I enjoyed it, it was a little like Angels and Demons with computers. It took me a while to get into it, I found the writing a little dense, and it dawned on me partway through that the author doesn't use any contractions (you are instead of you're etc) even in dialogue, which is surprisingly hard to read. I read it because I was looking for books that are similar to the Black Mirror series, specifically the tech side of the stories. I wouldn't say that this was really very similar, but it did have some interesting ideas about what tech has the potential to do in our lives.
November 28, 2020
Great Story
In a day and age where technology seems to Take so much of our time Money wish that they could erase their online history.However once something is on the internet, it is on the internet forever.The story line seems to be very fitting for today's day and age. I read it in two sittings after not being able to put it down.
In a day and age where technology seems to Take so much of our time Money wish that they could erase their online history.However once something is on the internet, it is on the internet forever.The story line seems to be very fitting for today's day and age. I read it in two sittings after not being able to put it down.
March 7, 2013
The concept of this book blew me away. The idea that a soul - or whatever it is that’s left of us when we die - can get trapped in some ‘digital cosmos,’ had me fascinated. The doctrine of ‘The Movement’ is that leaving a digital footprint behind - a traceable stream of websites and chat-rooms visited, emails sent and online purchases - prevents a person being forgotten in time, thus leaving their soul tethered and unable to move on. Despite it being a work of fiction, the book made me really think about the thrall of the Internet, and my use of it.
We join our nameless narrator as he learns about ‘The Movement’ from his affected friend Bammer, whom he fittingly meets online, and whose background is soon revealed to be both tragic and shocking. Armed with the new and powerful knowledge, he seeks then to remove every digital trace of ‘Her;’ his lost love, and then himself, so that they might both ascend from the ‘cloud’ that would hold them. His journey is by no means an easy one, with deceit and twists that I for one never saw coming.
Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, singularly from the narrator’s POV, the story is fast-paced. There is little in the way of drawn-out description and lyrical language for the sake of it, which is perfect here, allowing the book to be all about the compelling storyline. That said, the first and final chapters are written in an entirely different tone, bearing witness to the aging of the narrator, and the heartrending isolation of his life’s work. The last few pages brought tears to my eyes.
I read this book in two sittings, turning the pages as quickly as I could. I only stumbled slightly over the references to technology – I don’t even know if password-protected chat rooms and ‘VPN tunnels’ are fact or fiction – but these moments somehow only added to the credibility of the plot, and increased my belief in it. And that’s the beauty of this book; it makes you believe and really makes you wonder.
This is an exceptional debut, and one that I wholeheartedly recommend. I can't wait for the next book in the series! ...
We join our nameless narrator as he learns about ‘The Movement’ from his affected friend Bammer, whom he fittingly meets online, and whose background is soon revealed to be both tragic and shocking. Armed with the new and powerful knowledge, he seeks then to remove every digital trace of ‘Her;’ his lost love, and then himself, so that they might both ascend from the ‘cloud’ that would hold them. His journey is by no means an easy one, with deceit and twists that I for one never saw coming.
Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, singularly from the narrator’s POV, the story is fast-paced. There is little in the way of drawn-out description and lyrical language for the sake of it, which is perfect here, allowing the book to be all about the compelling storyline. That said, the first and final chapters are written in an entirely different tone, bearing witness to the aging of the narrator, and the heartrending isolation of his life’s work. The last few pages brought tears to my eyes.
I read this book in two sittings, turning the pages as quickly as I could. I only stumbled slightly over the references to technology – I don’t even know if password-protected chat rooms and ‘VPN tunnels’ are fact or fiction – but these moments somehow only added to the credibility of the plot, and increased my belief in it. And that’s the beauty of this book; it makes you believe and really makes you wonder.
This is an exceptional debut, and one that I wholeheartedly recommend. I can't wait for the next book in the series! ...
January 14, 2013
The best compliment I can give a book is to recommend that my husband read it. He's quite picky and I find it hard to find good books for him. When I do, they're by the really big names (Stephen Frey, Raymond Khoury, Jeffrey Archer). I read this book for a book club and can't say enough how compelling the story is. As soon as I finished it, I told my hubby it's a must-read. This book grabbed my attention with the opening pages and I failed at this year's nanowrimo in part because I couldn't put it down. I tried and tried to keep from reading it, but failed as I simply had to know what would happen next. I would say it's a great first novel, but the truth is it's a great novel full stop.
The premise is fresh and new and I spent the entire book wondering why Hollywood hasn't already made it into a movie! This is a definite must-read.
The premise is fresh and new and I spent the entire book wondering why Hollywood hasn't already made it into a movie! This is a definite must-read.
July 29, 2012
Fantastic first novel from ATH Webber that I devoured over two sittings. It hooked me in from the first page. The ideas and story unfold in an unpredictable way making this a refreshing read. Do yourself a favour and give it a read!
August 4, 2012
Un-put-downable! The author has highlighted a modern dilemma (data that is held on us), woven it into a thrilling yet personal storyline and produced a book that is un-putdownable. I read it in 2 sittings. It's a series-can we have to next one soon please??
October 16, 2012
Very creative and original story-line. A mix of sci-fi/ technology, detective, and romance.
January 14, 2013
amazing read!!!
August 29, 2014
Enjoyable read, but got lost a bit at the end as I'm just not up with the technical side
June 16, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews