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Viewer Discretion Advised
A MOVIE LOVER'S FEAST THAT SPIRALS IN AND OUT OF CONTROL... Adam Robinson gives his life 2 stars. On paper it should be a box-office hit, but it hasn't lived up to the hype. He wants to recast the whole thing, starting with himself.
Heading back to Sydney after an eventful business trip, Adam discovers an app that allows him to enter the world of his favourite films. No longer typecast as 'married man, father of two', he can be whoever he wants.
From playing action heroes, to rom-com leading men, it's a dizzying ride and the greatest experience of his life. Until he tries to log out...
With fast-talking narration and pop-culture obsession, Viewer Discretion Advised is a genre-hopping adventure rom-com, reminiscent of great modern classics like High Fidelity and Ready Player One .
'Wry, disarming, and ruefully told, Viewer Discretion Advised is a novel of considerable charm and warmth. More than a Gen X nostalgia trip, this is a journey into the heart and mind of a middle-aged everyman - a story that moves from wit to hard-won wisdom without missing a beat.' Geordie Williamson, Chief Literary Critic of The Australian.
Heading back to Sydney after an eventful business trip, Adam discovers an app that allows him to enter the world of his favourite films. No longer typecast as 'married man, father of two', he can be whoever he wants.
From playing action heroes, to rom-com leading men, it's a dizzying ride and the greatest experience of his life. Until he tries to log out...
With fast-talking narration and pop-culture obsession, Viewer Discretion Advised is a genre-hopping adventure rom-com, reminiscent of great modern classics like High Fidelity and Ready Player One .
'Wry, disarming, and ruefully told, Viewer Discretion Advised is a novel of considerable charm and warmth. More than a Gen X nostalgia trip, this is a journey into the heart and mind of a middle-aged everyman - a story that moves from wit to hard-won wisdom without missing a beat.' Geordie Williamson, Chief Literary Critic of The Australian.
318 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2023
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 17, 2023
Angus Steven's Viewer Discretion Advised is (appropriately) not what it may originally appear to be.
Confidently self aware, it calls out it's place in narrative history - the realm of self-conscious GenX white men nerds of Sydney Australia who are intoxicated by the bravado and excessive masculine expressiveness and adventure inherent in American films. There's much to be said on that topic of shame-driven masculinity and the tedium of monogamy. But neither of those ideas are the driver of this book.
Nor is this a book relying solely on gleeful film reference name checking and nostalgia. And while that's fun and relatable and helps the pages turn, there's more going on.
Stevens is playful and exploratory with the form of this novel. Dialogue rattles along, scenes told with a filmmakers eye click easily from one to another. It's important to pay attention. He's being clever, but not wanky - the best way to describe the experience of reading it is that this is a novel which flips between internal observations of self splashing up against compassionate observations of the external world.
While reading I muffled chuckles of recognition/delight and blinked through the blur of my tears at tender revelations of Adam as he ventures through his obsession with escapism.
This book is about the return of love and returning to life. And I recommend it to anyone who is in need of a reminder what life is all about.
Confidently self aware, it calls out it's place in narrative history - the realm of self-conscious GenX white men nerds of Sydney Australia who are intoxicated by the bravado and excessive masculine expressiveness and adventure inherent in American films. There's much to be said on that topic of shame-driven masculinity and the tedium of monogamy. But neither of those ideas are the driver of this book.
Nor is this a book relying solely on gleeful film reference name checking and nostalgia. And while that's fun and relatable and helps the pages turn, there's more going on.
Stevens is playful and exploratory with the form of this novel. Dialogue rattles along, scenes told with a filmmakers eye click easily from one to another. It's important to pay attention. He's being clever, but not wanky - the best way to describe the experience of reading it is that this is a novel which flips between internal observations of self splashing up against compassionate observations of the external world.
While reading I muffled chuckles of recognition/delight and blinked through the blur of my tears at tender revelations of Adam as he ventures through his obsession with escapism.
This book is about the return of love and returning to life. And I recommend it to anyone who is in need of a reminder what life is all about.
January 23, 2024
As someone who works for a magazine about books, has two degrees, both with English Literature majors and spends their life immersed in excellent reading material, it is rare to find a novel that truly stands out from the rest. Viewer Discretion Advised is that novel. I found myself struggling to keep my eyes open at midnight, promising myself I would sleep after just one more chapter (because the kids would not care if I stayed up late they would get up at the same time tomorrow) and yet, unable to put the book down. The main character, Adam, was relatable. The films referenced were all ones I personally love. The concept of an immersive game that could not be exited was thought provoking but most importantly of all, the exploration of our changing perception of ourselves and what is important to us as we age was insightful and moving. If you have a book club - suggest this book for the reading list. If you have a love of film - read this book. If you love books - read this book. In fact, every adult should read this book. You deserve your own copy, treat yourself. Seriously. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
August 15, 2023
An outstanding effort from a debut novelist. Stevens has announced his presence among Australia’s leading authors, in no uncertain terms, with this hugely impressive opening gambit. Richly textured and masterfully constructed, this tale is about so much more than the passion for the movies which serves as its scaffolding. Keep an eye on Stevens - there is undoubtedly more to come from this compelling but heretofore undiscovered talent.
July 26, 2023
It’s a book that twists around in unexpected ways. If you love movies then I think you’ll enjoy it. But it’s more than just that.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews