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In A Right State
Your information is being sold. And guess who's paying for it?
It's 2066, and living in a country where big corporations are constantly undressing you with their spies isn't much fun for Duncan. He remembers the days when information was protected, not sold to the highest bidder. When his illegal organic vegetable trade is discovered at the bottom of his garden in the town of Wigthorn, the tomatoes really hit the fan.
Amy works for Pharmara, the biggest pharmaceutical company in the UK, analysing user data. Yes, it's as boring as it sounds but she believes a little corporate access to personal information is a small price to pay to live in a post-tax, post-carbon, post-poverty world.
After all, if you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear ... right?
Poppy lives in Shaded Vale, a town rich enough to stay off the radar. Her father has some big plans to shake up the industrial power balance.
Thrown together by circumstance, Duncan, Amy and Poppy become tangled in a dangerous quest for truth with Pharmara Security hot on their heels. But if knowledge is power, how is it that those in power are such idiots?
It's 2066, and living in a country where big corporations are constantly undressing you with their spies isn't much fun for Duncan. He remembers the days when information was protected, not sold to the highest bidder. When his illegal organic vegetable trade is discovered at the bottom of his garden in the town of Wigthorn, the tomatoes really hit the fan.
Amy works for Pharmara, the biggest pharmaceutical company in the UK, analysing user data. Yes, it's as boring as it sounds but she believes a little corporate access to personal information is a small price to pay to live in a post-tax, post-carbon, post-poverty world.
After all, if you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear ... right?
Poppy lives in Shaded Vale, a town rich enough to stay off the radar. Her father has some big plans to shake up the industrial power balance.
Thrown together by circumstance, Duncan, Amy and Poppy become tangled in a dangerous quest for truth with Pharmara Security hot on their heels. But if knowledge is power, how is it that those in power are such idiots?
- GenresDystopia
314 pages, Paperback
First published June 29, 2014
10 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Ben Ellis
3 books13 followersLives in Worthing, West Sussex, UK and writes in his spare time.
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ebook ($2.77) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LET3E8Q
Buy BROKEN BRANCHES here -
UK
ebook (£2.99) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079Q9B52Q
Print Book (£8.75) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Branc...
USA
ebook ($4.17) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079Q9B52Q
Print Book ($12.15) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1977093507
Buy IN A RIGHT STATE here -
UK
ebook (£2) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
USA
ebook ($2.77) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LET3E8Q
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 27, 2018
This book is set in a future Britain which feels horribly possible. As an amateur plant breeder and seed-saver I enjoyed the spotlight on naturally bred seeds which were forbidden. The GM stuff brings in the money! Data collected and sold, satellites watching everything. Frightening. Yet this was treated for the most part with a light hand. Ben Ellis has a great imagination and a fantastic sense of humour – but don’t think this story is just a stroll in the park. It deals with serious issues. There was, at times, a little too much explanation which got in the way, for me. Also occasionally characters spoke in a declamatory manner which I couldn’t quite credit.
This is a shudderingly plausible look at a not-too-distant future and I enjoyed it very much.
This is a shudderingly plausible look at a not-too-distant future and I enjoyed it very much.
December 24, 2018
My thanks to the Author via TBConFB for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. I gave this a 4.5 stars or 9/10.
I really enjoyed this dystopian themed read, that could so easily happen in the not too distant future. The story has many strands to it and it sure makes you think about what could happen.
What dangers do we as a society face from GM (Genetically Modified) food? The fact that GM food will more than likely take over from naturally produced food in the future is quite a scary thought and how could this food be manipulated by the companies that make it to further there own profits and development? As an auction takes place to sell off parts of deceased human bodies to the highest bidders, one of the characters is worried. Will he be found out or not?
This is a debut novel and I will wait with baited breath to see what Ben Ellis writes next.
I really enjoyed this dystopian themed read, that could so easily happen in the not too distant future. The story has many strands to it and it sure makes you think about what could happen.
What dangers do we as a society face from GM (Genetically Modified) food? The fact that GM food will more than likely take over from naturally produced food in the future is quite a scary thought and how could this food be manipulated by the companies that make it to further there own profits and development? As an auction takes place to sell off parts of deceased human bodies to the highest bidders, one of the characters is worried. Will he be found out or not?
This is a debut novel and I will wait with baited breath to see what Ben Ellis writes next.
July 26, 2014
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
In A Right State is a peculiar book, far from easy to review. In a nutshell, it's a dystopian twist on a future Great Britain, one where corporations rule the country and everything is focused on business and profit. The story opens, quite intriguingly, on one of the main characters, Duncan, as he follows with some trepidation the auction of his deceased wife's body parts: in a time when the wasteful past (our present) has been replaced by a heightened consciousness of our resources, CO2 emissions have been eliminated and solar power rules, the environmental cost of a burial or a cremation is unthinkable, hence the auctioning off of a body for research purposes. Waste not, want not.
The problem is, Duncan has a little secret that close examination of his wife's body will reveal: he grows real, organic vegetables in a plot under his home – and that makes him an outlaw, because only OGM food is the accepted norm, or rather the law. So he destroys the underground garden and runs away with a few bags of precious seeds, with the corporate police hot on his heels.
Amy, on the other hand, is the dutiful employee of a major corporation – she might not be happy about her non-existent career prospects, but she keeps being the good drone she's been taught to be, until the day her innocent workplace association with deceased Nicole – Duncan's wife – puts her under suspicion, and she decides to burn all bridges behind her, taking Duncan along in a mad flight that will put them in contact with the mysterious Colonel, a man who seems hell-bent on undermining the system. A sort of Renaissance man in a culture that has forgotten literature, music, stage plays and movies, because the only "creative" writing is whatever goes into product promotion. But maybe even the Colonel not as good, or as selfless as he seems...
Intriguing? Yes. The premise, starting with that weird, so very weird scene about the auction, is a sound one and some details are even chillingly realistic: take for example the constant commercial ads (the only form of entertainment in this future society), the violation of privacy that allows those ads to be played at any time in your house or while you're taking a walk, whether you want it or not – these phenomena are something that we can observe right now, although on a far smaller scale. Have you ever been tormented by constant calls from phone companies offering you great opportunities for voice and internet access, or pestered by sellers of other products? So you know what I mean...
Yet this very interesting premise at some point became lost, for me, in the uncertain mood of the story, that alternates between seriousness and tongue-in-cheek fun, in a sort of Hellzapoppin-like sequence of sketches that made me often wonder if there was a definite sense of direction. There are also long stretches of exposition (the chapter where the Colonel is introduced is one of the clearest examples), and more often than not we are told about the characters' feelings and reactions, but almost never shown. I've often wondered if this story wanted to be a sarcastic cautionary tale about the dangers in the path our society is taking, or if we were meant to be worried and take it as a dire warning. The first few chapters of the book also suffer from some instances of mixed tenses, adding to the general bafflement I mentioned above and that is compounded by narrative contradictions that quite bothered me: for example, if there is such a constant control on citizen activity (satellites, DNA scans and other means that would make the NSA guys envious), how could Duncan build the complicated underground garden and its equally complicated camouflage mechanism?
Despite the danger, despite the number of people pursuing our "heroes" with a vast array of technological gadgets, they rarely seem to take their plight seriously, finding the time for some well-delivered prank and witty repartee. This would seem to point toward a lighter-toned narrative, but the bloody horror and anguish of the end of the book turn this notion on its head, only to offer again a brief glimmer of sincere hope with the last sentence...
I'm confused. Or probably unable to see the point because of some inherent lack of perspective.
Not a bad book in itself, on the contrary it was a quick, interesting read, but despite that I could not… pin it down, for want of a better word.
http://spaceandsorcery.blogspot.it/20...
In A Right State is a peculiar book, far from easy to review. In a nutshell, it's a dystopian twist on a future Great Britain, one where corporations rule the country and everything is focused on business and profit. The story opens, quite intriguingly, on one of the main characters, Duncan, as he follows with some trepidation the auction of his deceased wife's body parts: in a time when the wasteful past (our present) has been replaced by a heightened consciousness of our resources, CO2 emissions have been eliminated and solar power rules, the environmental cost of a burial or a cremation is unthinkable, hence the auctioning off of a body for research purposes. Waste not, want not.
The problem is, Duncan has a little secret that close examination of his wife's body will reveal: he grows real, organic vegetables in a plot under his home – and that makes him an outlaw, because only OGM food is the accepted norm, or rather the law. So he destroys the underground garden and runs away with a few bags of precious seeds, with the corporate police hot on his heels.
Amy, on the other hand, is the dutiful employee of a major corporation – she might not be happy about her non-existent career prospects, but she keeps being the good drone she's been taught to be, until the day her innocent workplace association with deceased Nicole – Duncan's wife – puts her under suspicion, and she decides to burn all bridges behind her, taking Duncan along in a mad flight that will put them in contact with the mysterious Colonel, a man who seems hell-bent on undermining the system. A sort of Renaissance man in a culture that has forgotten literature, music, stage plays and movies, because the only "creative" writing is whatever goes into product promotion. But maybe even the Colonel not as good, or as selfless as he seems...
Intriguing? Yes. The premise, starting with that weird, so very weird scene about the auction, is a sound one and some details are even chillingly realistic: take for example the constant commercial ads (the only form of entertainment in this future society), the violation of privacy that allows those ads to be played at any time in your house or while you're taking a walk, whether you want it or not – these phenomena are something that we can observe right now, although on a far smaller scale. Have you ever been tormented by constant calls from phone companies offering you great opportunities for voice and internet access, or pestered by sellers of other products? So you know what I mean...
Yet this very interesting premise at some point became lost, for me, in the uncertain mood of the story, that alternates between seriousness and tongue-in-cheek fun, in a sort of Hellzapoppin-like sequence of sketches that made me often wonder if there was a definite sense of direction. There are also long stretches of exposition (the chapter where the Colonel is introduced is one of the clearest examples), and more often than not we are told about the characters' feelings and reactions, but almost never shown. I've often wondered if this story wanted to be a sarcastic cautionary tale about the dangers in the path our society is taking, or if we were meant to be worried and take it as a dire warning. The first few chapters of the book also suffer from some instances of mixed tenses, adding to the general bafflement I mentioned above and that is compounded by narrative contradictions that quite bothered me: for example, if there is such a constant control on citizen activity (satellites, DNA scans and other means that would make the NSA guys envious), how could Duncan build the complicated underground garden and its equally complicated camouflage mechanism?
Despite the danger, despite the number of people pursuing our "heroes" with a vast array of technological gadgets, they rarely seem to take their plight seriously, finding the time for some well-delivered prank and witty repartee. This would seem to point toward a lighter-toned narrative, but the bloody horror and anguish of the end of the book turn this notion on its head, only to offer again a brief glimmer of sincere hope with the last sentence...
I'm confused. Or probably unable to see the point because of some inherent lack of perspective.
Not a bad book in itself, on the contrary it was a quick, interesting read, but despite that I could not… pin it down, for want of a better word.
http://spaceandsorcery.blogspot.it/20...
July 24, 2014
For more reviews, please visit my site.
Ellis has created a fascinatingly complex world where no-one is safe from corporate subterfuge, and where anything goes as long as you're the one controlling the information. Our world has grown into one big marketing scheme, dependant on the people to keep buying into the stock, but also not allowing them any alternative. The sheer amount of research and work that has gone into the book is apparent to see, and hurts my head to think about. In fact, that was the one overriding feeling for me; there is so much information here! This is both a good and a bad thing. Bad because sometimes you got a bit bogged down in all the politics and the explanations as to what is happening in the world, particularly in regards to conversations. Good because it has created such an interesting world with a very specific concept based in consumerism.
Ok, I'll be honest. A whole load of this went straight over my head and I found it a little difficult to get through. I got the point about consumerism as well as the huge theme of violation of privacy and about the boundaries that we should have in relation to all of this. However, all of the corporate ideas tended to make my eyes droop a little bit. I'll admit again, I am not big on politics, or corporate warfare, but when I see a dystopian society, I love it no matter what and therefore I love this society. It's like 1984 cranked up several notches and skewed into a futuristic consumers paradise. Oh, and speaking of futuristic, I loves everything about the new ideas we were seeing; electro-magnetic cars, huge wind farms out into the sea, rising sea levels, GM foods and enormous shopping centres. It is truly an impressive imagined world, and to be honest, it is a scarily realistic imagining, as all of these things are being developed now and could grow to this state.
There was one quite big miss for me, and that was that I never really connected with the characters. To me, they were slightly too far removed from me. I couldn't understand Poppy's motives, I couldn't relate to Duncan and although the girls were easier to get to know, Amy also proved a difficulty for me. The girls were nice and feisty, and I loved the situations that these three got themselves into as well as the whole goose-chase, but for some reason I just couldn't get into their heads properly. It might have been something to do with all that consumer culture getting into my head.
So if you like reading about hardcore subjects such as politics, subterfuge and consumer culture, as well as wanting a little bit of action in the form of hiding from people with too much power, and if you want a scarily realistic futuristic setting, this is certainly the book for you. Please don't read it if you have the attention span of a Goldfish; you will miss something, and you may not get to the end. Speaking of the end, it surprised me a great deal. Although some parts went as expected, there were quite a few occurrences that really were interesting. The pacing really picks up here, and with a slight blip nearing the end, we get a whole lot of unexpected situations. I loved it and although it set me hanging on a slight cliff-edge, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
A good read, steadily paced, with enough action to keep your attention and enough interest even for people who are exceptionally intelligent in their reading habits (I am not one of them, but I do try to be). It really is a book that enables you to think about the pressing matters in the world, instead of what is only on your doorstep.
Ellis has created a fascinatingly complex world where no-one is safe from corporate subterfuge, and where anything goes as long as you're the one controlling the information. Our world has grown into one big marketing scheme, dependant on the people to keep buying into the stock, but also not allowing them any alternative. The sheer amount of research and work that has gone into the book is apparent to see, and hurts my head to think about. In fact, that was the one overriding feeling for me; there is so much information here! This is both a good and a bad thing. Bad because sometimes you got a bit bogged down in all the politics and the explanations as to what is happening in the world, particularly in regards to conversations. Good because it has created such an interesting world with a very specific concept based in consumerism.
Ok, I'll be honest. A whole load of this went straight over my head and I found it a little difficult to get through. I got the point about consumerism as well as the huge theme of violation of privacy and about the boundaries that we should have in relation to all of this. However, all of the corporate ideas tended to make my eyes droop a little bit. I'll admit again, I am not big on politics, or corporate warfare, but when I see a dystopian society, I love it no matter what and therefore I love this society. It's like 1984 cranked up several notches and skewed into a futuristic consumers paradise. Oh, and speaking of futuristic, I loves everything about the new ideas we were seeing; electro-magnetic cars, huge wind farms out into the sea, rising sea levels, GM foods and enormous shopping centres. It is truly an impressive imagined world, and to be honest, it is a scarily realistic imagining, as all of these things are being developed now and could grow to this state.
There was one quite big miss for me, and that was that I never really connected with the characters. To me, they were slightly too far removed from me. I couldn't understand Poppy's motives, I couldn't relate to Duncan and although the girls were easier to get to know, Amy also proved a difficulty for me. The girls were nice and feisty, and I loved the situations that these three got themselves into as well as the whole goose-chase, but for some reason I just couldn't get into their heads properly. It might have been something to do with all that consumer culture getting into my head.
So if you like reading about hardcore subjects such as politics, subterfuge and consumer culture, as well as wanting a little bit of action in the form of hiding from people with too much power, and if you want a scarily realistic futuristic setting, this is certainly the book for you. Please don't read it if you have the attention span of a Goldfish; you will miss something, and you may not get to the end. Speaking of the end, it surprised me a great deal. Although some parts went as expected, there were quite a few occurrences that really were interesting. The pacing really picks up here, and with a slight blip nearing the end, we get a whole lot of unexpected situations. I loved it and although it set me hanging on a slight cliff-edge, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
A good read, steadily paced, with enough action to keep your attention and enough interest even for people who are exceptionally intelligent in their reading habits (I am not one of them, but I do try to be). It really is a book that enables you to think about the pressing matters in the world, instead of what is only on your doorstep.
August 27, 2014
In 2052, UK; Duncan Hartley (Sugarpops) was at an auction, not your typical auction though; his wife Nicole Hartley body parts. Times had changed. Her stomach went to # 74 for £102,000.
Pharmara Corporation (Black Star) was in Wigthorn England.
Amy Jay (30, section leader, SAA) job was to categorize/tag Constant Broadcast Identification (CBID) all the body parts. Amy later had an appointment to meet with Estelle Hawthorne (Head of Statistical Acquirement & Analysis (SAA).
Gerard Abbot (purchasing manager, # 74) explained to Amy about his recent organ purchase. Nichole had been Amy’s BFF. The 2 wanted her to investigate (naturalistic observation) some wrong doings. Amy had never met Duncan.
It is now 2061, Duncan (former Pharmara employee) has a garden & raised/sold vegetables. His biggest produce buyer was Julius (Jules) Talent.
Sissy was the Centrally Integrated Computer Systems Intelligence central computer (C.I.C.S.I.) that controlled every function in his house & Percy (C.I.C.S.I.) controlled the nursery/garden. Even cars had them.
Gerard Abbot, Harris, & Rogers from Pharmara security (aka Marks & Waitadsco) were also investigating Duncan.
Amy later arrives at Duncan’s doorstep. The 3 Pharmara security were keeping an eye on her also.
By request of the Colonel (eccentric billionaire); Julius takes the 2 fugitives (Pharmara genetic copyright laws) Duncan (72, Ph.D.) & Amy (33) to Shaded Vale for safe keeping. The Colonel (William) was into several business ventures.
Duncan & Amy meet Poppy Gold the Colonel daughter. Guess who her mother is?
Duncan, Amy & Poppy next meet Leroy Merlin (underground research facility). What cool gadgets he has?
Next stop London for the trio is to meet with George Ray who worked for Central Observatory for Viewing & Ex-changing Reconnaissance Transmissions (C.O.V.E.R.T.) which records everything companies track.
Mary Portofino (MP for Wigthorn) suddenly walks into George’s office. Where is this scenario going to go?
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written bizarre, mysterious dystopian type book. It was very easy to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great sci-fi movie (Fahrenheit 451 (1966); Westworld (1973); Soylent Green (1973); 1984 (1984), an animated cartoon (Jetson’s) or a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Story Cartel)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Pharmara Corporation (Black Star) was in Wigthorn England.
Amy Jay (30, section leader, SAA) job was to categorize/tag Constant Broadcast Identification (CBID) all the body parts. Amy later had an appointment to meet with Estelle Hawthorne (Head of Statistical Acquirement & Analysis (SAA).
Gerard Abbot (purchasing manager, # 74) explained to Amy about his recent organ purchase. Nichole had been Amy’s BFF. The 2 wanted her to investigate (naturalistic observation) some wrong doings. Amy had never met Duncan.
It is now 2061, Duncan (former Pharmara employee) has a garden & raised/sold vegetables. His biggest produce buyer was Julius (Jules) Talent.
Sissy was the Centrally Integrated Computer Systems Intelligence central computer (C.I.C.S.I.) that controlled every function in his house & Percy (C.I.C.S.I.) controlled the nursery/garden. Even cars had them.
Gerard Abbot, Harris, & Rogers from Pharmara security (aka Marks & Waitadsco) were also investigating Duncan.
Amy later arrives at Duncan’s doorstep. The 3 Pharmara security were keeping an eye on her also.
By request of the Colonel (eccentric billionaire); Julius takes the 2 fugitives (Pharmara genetic copyright laws) Duncan (72, Ph.D.) & Amy (33) to Shaded Vale for safe keeping. The Colonel (William) was into several business ventures.
Duncan & Amy meet Poppy Gold the Colonel daughter. Guess who her mother is?
Duncan, Amy & Poppy next meet Leroy Merlin (underground research facility). What cool gadgets he has?
Next stop London for the trio is to meet with George Ray who worked for Central Observatory for Viewing & Ex-changing Reconnaissance Transmissions (C.O.V.E.R.T.) which records everything companies track.
Mary Portofino (MP for Wigthorn) suddenly walks into George’s office. Where is this scenario going to go?
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written bizarre, mysterious dystopian type book. It was very easy to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great sci-fi movie (Fahrenheit 451 (1966); Westworld (1973); Soylent Green (1973); 1984 (1984), an animated cartoon (Jetson’s) or a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Story Cartel)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 27, 2014
When Duncan Hartley’s wife Nicole dies and her body parts are put up for auction, he’s curious to see who gets her stomach. He’s curious because an examination of that body part will reveal a serious crime – the growing of fresh vegetables. When Pharma Security, Nicole’s former employer, wins the bid, Hartley is worried, but there’s little he can do, but flee, which he does with the help of another Pharma employee, Amy, a woman who had become disillusioned with her life, and who also happens to have been a friend of Nicole.
If you’re curious at this point, well you should be. This is a completely different kind of story, one that will suck you in like a giant Hoover. I received a free copy of In a Right State by Ben Ellis in exchange for an unbiased review. This is his first novel, but I’ll be sure to check out his next. He has a wicked sense of humor, and it comes through here. This book had be flipping pages with anticipation from the opening paragraph.
A story of a dysfunctional future when corporations are in control, In a Right State also has all the elements of a first-rate mystery/thriller. After reading this, you’re sure to have a few uneasy thoughts about how governments and big corporations relate to each other.
If you’re curious at this point, well you should be. This is a completely different kind of story, one that will suck you in like a giant Hoover. I received a free copy of In a Right State by Ben Ellis in exchange for an unbiased review. This is his first novel, but I’ll be sure to check out his next. He has a wicked sense of humor, and it comes through here. This book had be flipping pages with anticipation from the opening paragraph.
A story of a dysfunctional future when corporations are in control, In a Right State also has all the elements of a first-rate mystery/thriller. After reading this, you’re sure to have a few uneasy thoughts about how governments and big corporations relate to each other.
February 15, 2018
In A Right State is a very well written and impressive debut novel from UK writer Ben Ellis, who furnished me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
His story is set in a realistic and very possible sounding future in which businesses run the economy, based solely on statistical data obtained from an almost infinite number of electronic sources, where waste is reduced almost to the point of non-existence. As a result profit is optimised and people are constantly being bombarded with invasive information as corporations attempt to maximise their sales.
Right from the start this book has the reader hooked as we jump straight in to the unexpectedly weird auction scene and despite the important theme of an apparent lack of respect for privacy, the story finds plenty of opportunities to have fun and be light-hearted enough not to take itself too seriously.
I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys futuristic dystopian style stories and I look forward to reading more from Ben Ellis in the future.
His story is set in a realistic and very possible sounding future in which businesses run the economy, based solely on statistical data obtained from an almost infinite number of electronic sources, where waste is reduced almost to the point of non-existence. As a result profit is optimised and people are constantly being bombarded with invasive information as corporations attempt to maximise their sales.
Right from the start this book has the reader hooked as we jump straight in to the unexpectedly weird auction scene and despite the important theme of an apparent lack of respect for privacy, the story finds plenty of opportunities to have fun and be light-hearted enough not to take itself too seriously.
I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys futuristic dystopian style stories and I look forward to reading more from Ben Ellis in the future.
October 16, 2018
In a Right State is a wonderful story of a older man who remembers the good old days, and a young woman shaped by her current existence. In a future where environmental stewardship gives rise to powerful corporations (which I'm still trying to decide whether this is a good tradeoff), it's illegal to be independent, but Duncan Hartley is too smart to let his love of free thinking be taken away so easily. Amy Jay is a corporate data analyst who is caught up in Duncan's illegal plant growing by the fact that she was friends with his deceased wife. This takes them on an adventure to attempt to buck the system, though Amy is reluctant to lose her comfortable (if boring) lifestyle.
This story is thoughtful, amusing, and at times poignant. As a first novel, Mr. Ellis brings us a look at a terrifyingly impersonal potential future - one that isn't all that far-fetched - where to stop the environmental degradation of the UK, large corporations have taken control and use satellite data to spy on and gather details about their customers. The government is largely impotent and some cities are trial grounds for products and social experiments. Duncan is an example of someone who remembers a time before privacy was taken away, and Amy represents someone who has grown accustomed to the way things are, giving the reader a speculative look into how society could end up.
Though I enjoyed the story from beginning to end, there were a few minor technical issues. These issues didn't detract from the story overly much, and I suspect Mr. Ellis will continue to grow as a writer. I hope he does more in this world, because I would very much like to see how the story continues.
This story is thoughtful, amusing, and at times poignant. As a first novel, Mr. Ellis brings us a look at a terrifyingly impersonal potential future - one that isn't all that far-fetched - where to stop the environmental degradation of the UK, large corporations have taken control and use satellite data to spy on and gather details about their customers. The government is largely impotent and some cities are trial grounds for products and social experiments. Duncan is an example of someone who remembers a time before privacy was taken away, and Amy represents someone who has grown accustomed to the way things are, giving the reader a speculative look into how society could end up.
Though I enjoyed the story from beginning to end, there were a few minor technical issues. These issues didn't detract from the story overly much, and I suspect Mr. Ellis will continue to grow as a writer. I hope he does more in this world, because I would very much like to see how the story continues.
March 13, 2024
I read this book because I was looking through Libby, the libraries app, to find a book to read whilst walking in the dark and this one popped up. So it wasn't a choice really. That said it was moderately entertaining.
I don't really like dystopian stuff. There is something a little bit too negative and pessimistic about this book that I didn't really get on with. I mean, sure, it's the way that the UK economy is heading right now but still...
The ending is a little bit too in line with what life is like for me to be happy with it. I like endings like fairy tale endings. I like there to be something hopeful in an ending. But this wasn't the case here .
The characters were lovely, in a miserable British way. The plot was a little hard to follow.
The bits I liked were that's there was constant action; there was something happening in the story that's in line with what might happen in this country; and ... the yeah that's it really. Nothing else.
The bits I don't like were the ending. Like I said, it was a bit too realistic. Who needs realism in books?
You should read this book if you like dystopian thrillers set in your own backyard {assuming you're from the UK}. You should avoid this book if you want to be cheered up.
I don't really like dystopian stuff. There is something a little bit too negative and pessimistic about this book that I didn't really get on with. I mean, sure, it's the way that the UK economy is heading right now but still...
The ending is a little bit too in line with what life is like for me to be happy with it. I like endings like fairy tale endings. I like there to be something hopeful in an ending. But this wasn't the case here .
The characters were lovely, in a miserable British way. The plot was a little hard to follow.
The bits I liked were that's there was constant action; there was something happening in the story that's in line with what might happen in this country; and ... the yeah that's it really. Nothing else.
The bits I don't like were the ending. Like I said, it was a bit too realistic. Who needs realism in books?
You should read this book if you like dystopian thrillers set in your own backyard {assuming you're from the UK}. You should avoid this book if you want to be cheered up.
October 4, 2018
Set in the not too distant future - the future depicted was one that scared me - as it was really rather plausible. The main character, Duncan Hartley, we meet at an auction for his wife's body parts, as nothing is wasted in this society - in the name of research.
I found the book really interesting, as I could see the step from where we are now, to where this book was. Lack of privacy, consumerism overriding everything - an almost mindlessness to accept big business and the censorship of the press due to monopolies. I really enjoyed that and the way it unfolded. It was really rather scary and I know I won't forget it in a hurry.
The story line was good, the pace was good, it had humour and I would definitely read again.
My only reservation was I didn't like Duncan more. I wanted to but there was something there that made me want to shake him a bit!
I really enjoyed it - it was a refreshing take on big corporations and a really good dystopian read! I definitely recommend.
I found the book really interesting, as I could see the step from where we are now, to where this book was. Lack of privacy, consumerism overriding everything - an almost mindlessness to accept big business and the censorship of the press due to monopolies. I really enjoyed that and the way it unfolded. It was really rather scary and I know I won't forget it in a hurry.
The story line was good, the pace was good, it had humour and I would definitely read again.
My only reservation was I didn't like Duncan more. I wanted to but there was something there that made me want to shake him a bit!
I really enjoyed it - it was a refreshing take on big corporations and a really good dystopian read! I definitely recommend.
October 2, 2018
I am newly branching out to reading the dystopian genre and I found the actual storyline compelling and unnerving.
The characters in this book are well described to help you visualise and as the story progresses it changes direction until as the reader you don't know which route is the way forward.
I found this a little bit slow to start with and it took a few chapters to get into it but when I reached the end I felt bereft as I wanted to know what comes next as the pace had increased as the book progressed.
Overall a good read about a subject that worringly could become reality in the future with the progression of technology.
The characters in this book are well described to help you visualise and as the story progresses it changes direction until as the reader you don't know which route is the way forward.
I found this a little bit slow to start with and it took a few chapters to get into it but when I reached the end I felt bereft as I wanted to know what comes next as the pace had increased as the book progressed.
Overall a good read about a subject that worringly could become reality in the future with the progression of technology.
November 14, 2018
This is a really great premise, set in a future that is all too possible when everyone is watched and identified through DNA and organic food is illegal what happens when your tomatoes are discovered.
It really made me think about the control that I am prepared to let organisations have and the power of big business and there are lovely characters and a well organised plot.
It really made me think about the control that I am prepared to let organisations have and the power of big business and there are lovely characters and a well organised plot.
November 26, 2018
This is a really well written story, which has enough humour in it to make this dystopian novel easy to read. Unfortunately it is also very believable as this could quite easily be where the planet is heading in the not so distant future.
July 4, 2018
This book caused me to lose my will to read for around 3 weeks. I dislike reading multiple books at once (unless the other is a compilation of short stories - then it is ok) and the story line was so boring I could't read. Then it occurred to me that I could just *stop* reading it which is a very rare occurrence for me....
I didn't give it one star just because maybe it just wasn't the right *time* for me to be reading this one.
I didn't give it one star just because maybe it just wasn't the right *time* for me to be reading this one.
July 9, 2018
A very disturbing read,given the data scandal with Facebook,mixture of medical horror,data control and the state/international corporations observing and manipulating
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