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Individually Wrapped
Here's a little about it from my Amazon author page:
"Following in the speculative tradition of Huxley’s Brave New World, the [novel] portends what our present society may come to be given its current consumer culture and fascination with new technologies. What are the sociological implications of living in such a society? We are already seeing the next generation grow up having never known anything other than the digital age and constant consumer scrutiny. How will mankind adapt to the incredible technologies being created at an ever increasing pace? Perhaps more importantly, how will mankind be changed by them? Here the novel owes a debt also to Kafka’s, The Metamorphosis while in tone it story recalls the early work of Kurt Vonnegut.
Admittedly, these are heavy-weight literary touchstones. I don’t profess to equate my writing with these authors' classics. I cite them merely as inspirations and also to provide a familiar context to view the story. References aside, Individually Wrapped has touches of mystery, suspense, and, of course, speculative science-fiction, but ultimately it is a literary work at its core with much to say on our contemporary society and where it may be leading us."
From the dust jacket:
"Once a rising star at MWyly Advertising Agency, Sam Gregory, has lost the confidence of his boss, the respect of his peers, and most importantly the creative drive needed to excel in the cutthroat business. Faced with creating the advertising campaign for what could secure the agency its largest client, Sam’s growing suspicions over the client’s product and ethical misgivings about his profession combine to threaten his job security and worse, his mental stability. Has he stumbled on a sinister conspiracy? A mysterious stranger fans the flames but Sam isn’t sure who he can trust anymore. If only he could retreat into his favorite diversion, the fictional world of super spy, Victor Nil. But unfortunately for Sam, the life lessons of his fictional hero won’t help him face the indifferent forces that shape the real world."
"Following in the speculative tradition of Huxley’s Brave New World, the [novel] portends what our present society may come to be given its current consumer culture and fascination with new technologies. What are the sociological implications of living in such a society? We are already seeing the next generation grow up having never known anything other than the digital age and constant consumer scrutiny. How will mankind adapt to the incredible technologies being created at an ever increasing pace? Perhaps more importantly, how will mankind be changed by them? Here the novel owes a debt also to Kafka’s, The Metamorphosis while in tone it story recalls the early work of Kurt Vonnegut.
Admittedly, these are heavy-weight literary touchstones. I don’t profess to equate my writing with these authors' classics. I cite them merely as inspirations and also to provide a familiar context to view the story. References aside, Individually Wrapped has touches of mystery, suspense, and, of course, speculative science-fiction, but ultimately it is a literary work at its core with much to say on our contemporary society and where it may be leading us."
From the dust jacket:
"Once a rising star at MWyly Advertising Agency, Sam Gregory, has lost the confidence of his boss, the respect of his peers, and most importantly the creative drive needed to excel in the cutthroat business. Faced with creating the advertising campaign for what could secure the agency its largest client, Sam’s growing suspicions over the client’s product and ethical misgivings about his profession combine to threaten his job security and worse, his mental stability. Has he stumbled on a sinister conspiracy? A mysterious stranger fans the flames but Sam isn’t sure who he can trust anymore. If only he could retreat into his favorite diversion, the fictional world of super spy, Victor Nil. But unfortunately for Sam, the life lessons of his fictional hero won’t help him face the indifferent forces that shape the real world."
- GenresScience Fiction
188 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2012
About the author
Jeremy Bullian
1 book2 followersJeremy Bullian lives in Tampa, Florida with his family where he is a librarian, writer, and musician.
Somerset Award for Literary & Mainstream Fiction
Five Star Review -Chanticleer Reviews
Facebook page for Individually Wrapped.
Somerset Award for Literary & Mainstream Fiction
Five Star Review -Chanticleer Reviews
Facebook page for Individually Wrapped.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 16, 2019
This is a great book about a time in the future when industry and consumerism take a twisted turn.
Bullian’s, Individually Wrapped, pulled me in with an engrossing prose that’s tight on the details but never bogs down. The story moves in a linear fashion, no confusing chronological shifts or other types of superficial gimmicks to keep the writer entranced. I wasn’t sure exactly what was happening until the very end.
There’s some comical sections, one of which is when Sam, the protagonist, experiences voyeurism from a mechanical cockroach. And the part where Sam is sitting on the toilet in the company bathroom, reading comments written on the stall is filled with comical insights.
The story builds to an ending that is at once Orwellian and Kafkaesque at another. How much of society and human behavior is directly influenced by major industries and corporations? That will always be debated but read this multilayered novel, and you’ll find yourself looking at it in a different way.
Bullian’s, Individually Wrapped, pulled me in with an engrossing prose that’s tight on the details but never bogs down. The story moves in a linear fashion, no confusing chronological shifts or other types of superficial gimmicks to keep the writer entranced. I wasn’t sure exactly what was happening until the very end.
There’s some comical sections, one of which is when Sam, the protagonist, experiences voyeurism from a mechanical cockroach. And the part where Sam is sitting on the toilet in the company bathroom, reading comments written on the stall is filled with comical insights.
The story builds to an ending that is at once Orwellian and Kafkaesque at another. How much of society and human behavior is directly influenced by major industries and corporations? That will always be debated but read this multilayered novel, and you’ll find yourself looking at it in a different way.
April 19, 2013
Yes, it's a science fiction novel, but it's also a mystery, has elements of magical realism (the final scene reminded me of the final scene of 100 Years of Solitude--very moving) and it's also just solid literature. Great story-telling; great writing. I'm not an avid reader of sci-fi, but I am an avid reader, and I really really enjoyed this one. It's been a few months since I finished reading it, but there are scenes that are so beautifully, sometimes painfully, real (both the opening and closing scenes with Sam are heartbreaking) that I believe they're permanently etched into my memory. I love a book that can do that.
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January 17, 2015Review from Midwest Book Review:
"Individually Wrapped is an engaging blend of suspense, human drama, and postmodern societal critique...enthralling to the end because of the mirror it holds up to the present day. Highly recommended."
Five Star Review -Chanticleer Reviews
"Individually Wrapped is an engaging blend of suspense, human drama, and postmodern societal critique...enthralling to the end because of the mirror it holds up to the present day. Highly recommended."
Five Star Review -Chanticleer Reviews
June 4, 2015
Fun Scifi.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews