The Call: A Virtual Parable

by Pat Rushin

From the screenwriter of The Zero Theorem comes the book that inspired the film. Roberts is not interested in food, sex, or any of life’s pleasures. Hapless yet endearing, the morbidly pale protagonist of The Call spends his days at the computer in his windowless apartment, waiting for a phone call that will give his life meaning. But when his phone proves insufficient, it takes a techno-savvy dominatrix to help our hero upgrade his existential hardware and a pre-pubescent hacker genius to break his solipsistic shell. In this modern parable of man’s search for meaning, Pat Rushin’s playful prose and sharp humor turn what may be a hopeless journey into an incredibly fun read.

Genres: Fiction

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2014

Reviews

[Brian E Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an odd little book. As one reviewer noted, the dialogue-heavy novella is a bit like "Waiting for Godot with internet." While I can't say I understood all that Rushin was getting at, it was an interesting ride anyway.
The highlight for me was the Wizard of Oz analysis. While this novella was good, I think I may have enjoyed Rushin's short-story "Call" in Quantum Physics & My Dog Bob: stories even more.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super plaintive exploration of human search for meaning. Also, interesting use of emoticons. A quick read - definitely worth it.

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Call is a short-novel version of Pat Rushin's screenplay for the film The Zero Theorem. I love the film (reviewed here), but I was disappointed by the book. In the book, the story is reduced to its loneliest, most claustrophobic sense. Gone is the ruined cathedral home of Qohen Leth--and gone, for that matter, is the name Qohen Leth, along with all of the connections to Ecclesiastes that I loved in the film. There is a Bainsley character, but she is not as significant as in the film. Instead, Bob becomes the primary character assisting the protagonist. Gone is the concept of "Management," and the drive to prove the Zero Theorem; but the "entities-crunching" work remains, here very mysterious and entirely unexplained. The protagonist still waits for his call, but in this version of the story it takes a very different direction than in the film.

There are aspects of the writing style that I like, but the almost-but-different feeling I kept having as I read (because of the connection to the film) kept me from being able to enjoy the book as I might have if I didn't know the film.

The end is very uncomfortable.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I won a free copy of this book from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

I entered a contest to win this book because I had an internship at which I was involved in some of the development for Terry Gilliam's film The Zero Theorem, which was based on this book. I enjoyed the screenplay and was pretty excited about the movie, although I ultimately heard that it was awful (I haven't seen it).

I'm not entirely surprised to have heard that, as this is a very crude, bizarre, and strange little novel. It's definitely not for everyone, and I can imagine Gilliam further alienating viewers. However, if you are a fan of the weird and absurd, I recommend checking out this book, even if you saw the film and didn't enjoy it - perhaps *especially* if you didn't like the movie.

[John Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a blast to read--so hilarious and insistently weird. Rushin's sentences dazzle, and the dialogue pops with manic energy. Without ever getting preachy, The Call has much to say about technology and the threats to our humanity in the digital age. It's easy to see why Terry Gilliam would be attracted to Rushin's work (Rushin's screenplay for The Zero Theorem is based on this book). If you like Gilliam's movies or Thomas Pynchon novels or comic sci-fi such as The Hitchhiker's Guide, you'll dig The Call.

[Mike Cuglietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Coupland or Chuck Palahniuk, chances are you will dig Rushin's book. It's a quick, easy-reading novella, with great characters. I laughed out-loud once, towards the end of the book, when it took an entertaining and somewhat surprising turn. I'm always hesitant with anything that might be labeled science-fiction, but this is far from a piece of genre fiction. Think of it as Waiting for Godot with high-speed internet access.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was crazy. It was well crafted and the characters are interesting. The premise is definitely interesting and different. And the end of the book definitely made me go hmmmm.

Like I said it was a bit of a crazy read with crazy characters and just strange stuff, but it was well written and is definitely worth a shot if you don't mind a little wtf in your day.

I received this book for free as part of the GoodReads First Reads Program.

[Grant Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be entertaining and refreshing. The plot may be a tad on the ridiculous side of things but Rushin is able to tie things together in such a way that you can suspend your disbelief and enjoy the ride. The book is short but a perfect length for the story to develop properly and leave the reader satisfied.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never seen the film The Zero Theorem so I cannot yet compare. I appreciate the (mainly) single setting for the focus on the dialogue and meaning is enough to fill the imagination. Intriguing and requiring of multiple reads.

[Mentatreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but interesting and the first 5 star read for me in a long time. As the source for the Terry Gilliam film The Zero Theorem it has the same sort of relationship as between Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Blade Runner.

Definitely a little SF jewel.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Had me plugged in from beginning till end. Really got a good laugh from the picture in the front cover.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

So funny and entertaining. Quite different from my "normal" reading. Enjoyed it a lot.

[Michael Whitaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rushin can write a sentence like a hero.

Wild rumination on the meaning of this life, the quest gone tech, gone digital, gone analog, gone wild.