User I.D.

by Jenefer Shute

Coursing with mordant wit and fierce intelligence, User ID is an elegant, utterly absorbing examination of the mutual obsession between an identity thief and her mark. Charlene Cummins, who sells cosmetics at an LA drugstore, is desperate for the better life she knows is out there for the taking. Vera de Sica, underachieving resident of Manhattan and (sort of) professor of English, is the woman whose identity she purloins.
Nothing has been going right for Vera since she arrived in Los Angeles to deliver a speech at a she has felt unappreciated (her presentation was sparsely attended), slightly dazed (there's too much light in the City of Angels), and disoriented (the freeways make her nervous). Now all she needs to do is return her rental car before heading back to New York. But when a heavily sweating man in a short-sleeved white shirt tells her to leave the car--and, as it happens, her personal effects--under a sign that reads "Guest Parking," Vera's true nightmare begins.
Based on more than three years of research into the fastest-growing white-collar crime in America, User ID is the incredibly compelling story of what happens when Vera's identity goes AWOL, co-opted by Charlene, the ambivalent girlfriend of the perspiring scam artist.
In this deft and mesmerizing character study of two women, who, on the face of it, could not lead more disparate lives (and yet share the same dissatisfaction with their lot), Jenefer Shute brilliantly explores the psychology of both victim and victimizer, as each woman develops an intense fantasy relationship with her other, imagined self. In alternating chapters that read like a thriller, Shute draws the reader into the bizarre and unsettling world where identities are multiple and mutable, and, ultimately, for sale. Unexpected, smart, and troubling, User ID is both a terrific read and a trenchant look at the philosophical implications of our networked world.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Titilayo · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book! i really enjoyed the contrast between the disenchanted teacher whose identity was stolen and the disenchanted criminal who stole her life. the misconceptions we have about people are always launch pads for...


in this case a common criminal rationalising stealing a woman'e identity because she think the woman is a ivory league new york city professor who could afford to be taken advantage of. the reality is the woman is about to tumble down a slope of bad luck. she lives pay check to pay check like every other teacher in america and when her department is eliminated she finds herself unemployed. her lackluster relationship with a british computer wiz does nothing to soothe her italian immigrant parents desire for grandchildren. then she finds her credit card declined, email hacked, and the deep sense of violation sets in.

the criminal is an overweight dull make up counter girl who has an abusive slightly stupid boyfriend. inbetween his porn addiction and gambling habits he steals other people's credit. the only reason they got together was because she worked in the dmv and he needed a fake license. not exactly a match made in heaven. especially when he insults her intelligence, appearance, and uses her as a soccerball.

so the dumpy beauty school graduate creates this gradiose story about the uptown trustfund phd; which is fine until reality comes into play. i suppose she grew a heart like the grinch. as that develops the so-called victim decides to snatch back her identity. the boyfriend launches a trojan into the criminal's computer to help her catch the culprit/get concrete evidence for the uncooperative police. lo and behold karma has a similar idea. and everything converges into a really neat story that captures the true essence of both women

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have definitely found a new author. I love Shute's writing with it being the perfect blend of literary fiction and suspense.

I picked this book off the library randomly and then when I read the goodreads review, I was a little apprehensive because the reviews were not very good.

I decided to give it a try and quickly couldn't put it down. It seems most of the negative feedback related to the characters being unlikeable, particularly Vera who is soooo whiny. I agree that Vera is not that likeable but for me, I don't have to love the characters. And in a sense, she feels so sorry for herself before the theft happens, that it provides more suspense of how she'll handle a significant problem.

I thought Charlene's character, although not a likeable person, was pretty funny and showed Shute's breadth of character development. Colin was the character I liked best, and wished there was more chemistry between him and Vera.

If you like suspense, literary fiction, and have any interest in identity theft, this is a fabulous book. If you need your characters to be Nicholas-Sparks likeable, then it's probably not for you.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't believe i actually wasted my time reading this! Although the initial idea for the story showed promise, I was completely let down by unrealistic and even unlikable characters. Weak main character who was wimpy, mousy and soo incredibly stupid, boring and lifeless, that I would initially root for the antagonist. However, the antagonist was just as bad and conjured up images of a desperate white trash skank who was just as much a loser as the identity theft victim. Ugh. I think I either donated this to the library or good will or something. sorry if you picked it up too.

[jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

good up until the ending

[Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Couldn't put it down. I have admired Shute's writing ever since her novel Life Size, and was not disappointed with this most recent one. It's both literary fiction and a complete page turning suspense novel. Both the main female characters were well done--complex and compelling. Neither of them women I'd probably like to spend much time with, but that's beside the point. Only thing I think it lacked was an ending with a little more cohesion. Not that everything had to be wrapped up all dandy, but I would have liked to see the ways in which this whole experience had ultimately changed Vera more. As it stands, kind of felt like the ending left the reader wanting a bit more. But overall, excellent book. Highly recommended!

[Lauren (strangled) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Awful in comparison to Life-Size. Only interest I can see that it holds for anyone is for those who've dealt with identity theft or those who read it in the moment the book was published - when dial-up was still a reality, and when the multiplicity of identity on the internet was still a new & fascinating concept. Even then, Shute does a poor job of fully exploring and giving any real depth to the philosophical side of her story - to the crap she's trying to explore - identity, what it means, how it happens, who you are - and what is you, and how do you exist? She barely skims the surface even though you get the feeling she's aiming for, aspiring to? more. and... failing. Miserably.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Identity theft. An interesting concept, but not at all well developed or meaningfully explored in this novel. The protagonist was boring, drab, and helpless. The antagonist was far more interesting. The author actually used some humor and colorful vocabulary when writing about her, which was the only enjoyable aspect of the story.

The author basically makes a list of the things that the identity thief buys, and tells us, over and over, that the victim wastes time on the phone making things right.

The ending is completely ludicrous and left me annoyed that I'd actually wasted time reading this drivel.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Vera de Sica pulls into the wrong parking lot at the car rental place, the car is stolen. This is only the beginninf of her troubles, since what the thieves really wanted was her identity. This is a fascinating look at how easy it is to have your identity stolen. Watching the thieves systematically run through Vera's money and credit is frightening. The book was good, though the ending seemed false to me.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spooky! I read this book before identity theft became such a hot topic. This is a novel about one woman stealing another woman's identity. They live several states apart. We get to see how each woman feels about what is happening to them until the wronged woman flies across the country to face down her assailant. (It is terrific how she figures out who the culprit is, too!) Great writing!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice ending, but boy was it repetitive. I couldn't get into the "Victim" very well and mostly just growled whenever she was blathering about her feelings about identity. I much preferred the other character and then how the two interact.
Also I still can't get over the author's spelling of her name. I know it's stupid that it matters to me but really?! Je-n-e-fer?
It's fine, whatever.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very interesting idea, but stereotypical unlikable characters and also pretty unrealistic. Most perpetrators of identity theft are illegal aliens, whom the author champions in this book. The ending is completely unrealistic and I actually didn't care about Vera's plight...instead, I thought she was the perfect type of person this should happen to.

[Jeniphir]

Despite the fact Jenny was my (college) Freshman writing teacher and I like her very much as a person (she also pushed for "plain language" ie, "use" not "utilize," which I'm all for), this is the second novel of hers I've read and I don't love her writing style. I tend to think were it not for her affiliations with academic institutions, she probably wouldn't get published.

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shute is a good writer, but this book was entirely lackluster. The protagonist in particular, was annoying - no personality, only bland and whiny. I thought this would be suspenseful, but it wasn't in the least bit.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Los Angeles for a conference, Vera de Sica confronts a nightmare when her identity is stolen by a scam artist, in a novel that captures the psychology of the victim and victimizer alike as Vera pursues the thief through cyberspace.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was alright. Not thrilling, by any means. An okay way to pass the time, and it was the only book I could find in my basement on short notice that started with "U" for my alphabet challenge. Not a complete waste of time, but I won't be reading it again.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book - it will make you PARANOID about having your identity stolen, though. Upon finishing the book, I went and ordered a copy of my credit report.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating novel about identity theft.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story. Stressful in the way that it's supposed to be. Odd ending -- I'd have given it 4 stars if the ending was better.

[Kadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dramatic and funny.

[Thebestdogmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book on ID theft. It is very interesting to learn just how far someone can go with a little information from a careless person.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so anticlimactic it made me want to scream. After reading a very monotone dialogue where it felt like nothing was happening, the ending was an unsatisfactory joke.

[iSekurity · Rating 5 out of 5]

iSekurity

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aside from the fact that this book was, by its nature, outdated by 2007, I still didn't like any of the characters enough to care about this book.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read. A good lesson in being diligent about personal information and how even the smallest scrap of information can open lots of doors.

[Eva Ruff · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters weren't as developed as they could be which would have made it a better novel.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it was a fast read but wouldn't read it again