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Clock Zero: I'm not my social feed
Librarian Note: Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN: B01MXQKE96.
Clock Zero tells the story of Tom, a Millennial wasting his life chasing Likes on social media until he meets Daniel Drake, a mysterious man with a daring plan to free the world of its social media obsession. Tom is captivated by the premise of a new unplugged world, but is Daniel Drake the good Samaritan he claims to be?
Clock Zero beautifully captures the existentialist struggle of this generation. A master stroke of wit and suspense, Clock Zero sheds light on the dark side of an always-connected world: smartphone addiction, digital self-absorption, global terrorism, and Silicon Valley’s unfettered quest to generate ever more profits at the expense of our humanity.
Clock Zero tells the story of Tom, a Millennial wasting his life chasing Likes on social media until he meets Daniel Drake, a mysterious man with a daring plan to free the world of its social media obsession. Tom is captivated by the premise of a new unplugged world, but is Daniel Drake the good Samaritan he claims to be?
Clock Zero beautifully captures the existentialist struggle of this generation. A master stroke of wit and suspense, Clock Zero sheds light on the dark side of an always-connected world: smartphone addiction, digital self-absorption, global terrorism, and Silicon Valley’s unfettered quest to generate ever more profits at the expense of our humanity.
- GenresFiction
173 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2016
5 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Nawar Alsaadi
9 books18 followersA Canadian existentialist fiction author. I've started my writing career in 2014 with my first book, The Bull of Heaven, a personal biography. Subsequently, I have published a collection of existentialist novels and novellas such as Dystopia: Four Stages of Hell, Amethyst Sky, Love in G Minor and Clock Zero.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 4, 2017
this isn't the only satirical book on social media. in fact it's not even the only one I started in 2016.
the plot of this book is a little plea to suspend disbelief in places but the characters are likable and the narrative moves at a good pace.
an enjoyable read despite some of the commentary not supposed to be enjoyable.
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this title.
the plot of this book is a little plea to suspend disbelief in places but the characters are likable and the narrative moves at a good pace.
an enjoyable read despite some of the commentary not supposed to be enjoyable.
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this title.
January 29, 2017
Sigh...
This was a book I thought would be either excellent or a bit of a flop based on the blurb. Sadly it ended at the floppy end of the scale for me.
Tackling the way life is run in this digital age and written in a somewhat confusing social media "status update" style this book really just left me confused more than anything. Thriller? Satire? Dunno.
It launched me into thick action but I wasn't getting clarity as to what was going on. We have hashtag this and hashtag that and the flow of the writing proved stilted and hard to follow. I had a headache - you know when your brain is trying to figure out what you've read? Yeah, one of those headaches. I re-read sentences and paragraphs a few times in this book.
I'm going to openly admit I ended up skim reading good chunks of this book. Nothing improved by the end, for me at least. A clever concept that maybe just wasn't pulled off properly... this book just lost me and I lost interest. A hard book to finish.
I've no idea who I would recommend this to. Some people may like it. Just not for me.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley. All review opinions are my own and this review it completely unbiased.
This was a book I thought would be either excellent or a bit of a flop based on the blurb. Sadly it ended at the floppy end of the scale for me.
Tackling the way life is run in this digital age and written in a somewhat confusing social media "status update" style this book really just left me confused more than anything. Thriller? Satire? Dunno.
It launched me into thick action but I wasn't getting clarity as to what was going on. We have hashtag this and hashtag that and the flow of the writing proved stilted and hard to follow. I had a headache - you know when your brain is trying to figure out what you've read? Yeah, one of those headaches. I re-read sentences and paragraphs a few times in this book.
I'm going to openly admit I ended up skim reading good chunks of this book. Nothing improved by the end, for me at least. A clever concept that maybe just wasn't pulled off properly... this book just lost me and I lost interest. A hard book to finish.
I've no idea who I would recommend this to. Some people may like it. Just not for me.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley. All review opinions are my own and this review it completely unbiased.
January 18, 2017
The book reads like a script for an action movie and honestly would make a great movie. It starts off very action packed, the dialogue is believable and its very descriptive so you can already see this playing out in your head like a movie. It’s REALLY descriptive, the author made sure to leave practically nothing to the imagination as they created the whole world right for you on these pages.
The way the author writes I can’t help wondering if it’s written by a millennial or someone who has way too much experience with them and not the good kind. The dialogue is written very well but at times it almost seems a cliché of what you hear people complain millennials sounds like which may be the whole point actually.
I had to laugh at the description of needing ‘likes’ on social media because I’m pretty sure I have had those days. I thought most of it was funny actually, the way he writes, he descriptions of his job, his thoughts on customers and people he has to interact with, I found myself laughing quite a bit.
I have a brother who talks a lot like this so I guess I’m more used to the way this is coming off than other people so I didn’t have a problem with the book. I took it as satire and a funny self-depreciation view on society’s social media addiction.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.
The way the author writes I can’t help wondering if it’s written by a millennial or someone who has way too much experience with them and not the good kind. The dialogue is written very well but at times it almost seems a cliché of what you hear people complain millennials sounds like which may be the whole point actually.
I had to laugh at the description of needing ‘likes’ on social media because I’m pretty sure I have had those days. I thought most of it was funny actually, the way he writes, he descriptions of his job, his thoughts on customers and people he has to interact with, I found myself laughing quite a bit.
I have a brother who talks a lot like this so I guess I’m more used to the way this is coming off than other people so I didn’t have a problem with the book. I took it as satire and a funny self-depreciation view on society’s social media addiction.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.
December 11, 2016
I enjoyed this very much. Insightful, clever plot, unique characters, and superb writing. And laugh out loud funny. It was so much fun to read and laugh, and read and laugh. You won't be disappointed reading this. Would make a great movie.
January 2, 2017
Okay, I'm not gonna lie. The description got me for this one. I found it horribly amusing that the description stated that a character wanted to "free the world of its social media obsession", yet this book was released on NetGalley, which uses a great deal of social media to give word and reviews of upcoming titles. Maybe I'm missing some kind of irony here?
I usually write my book reviews as I'm reading them while the thoughts are fresh in my head. But, this is the first time I started writing a review less than five pages into the book. Right off the bat the reader is thrown into an action-packed nightmare from a man who talks like a walking thesaurus. The plot itself improves as the story moves on, I will give it that. At parts, I actually looked forward to what would happen next, but still leaves much to be desired. When I finally did make it to the ending, it just left me confused and longing for some other kind of closure. I didn't really feel like I completed my story.
Diving into the meat of this book, I find the overall writing style to be plain edgy. The scenarios, the characters, Tom continuously comparing himself to emojis... This was a hard one to finish. It isn't entirely unenjoyable, and does have some amusing moments, but I'm still trying to figure out if this is all satirical. Some of the concepts introduced are just plain silly, and don't even get me started on the hastags. If I were to treat the book as a comedic take on millenials and social media, the humor still feels kind of like the same jokes that have been run into the ground all over social media by people that AREN'T milennials.
This book honestly seems like it was made solely to enrage Millenials for using social media. I do understand the premise of this book and what it was leading up to. If this was solely made to be satirical, then the author did a pretty good job, but again, I had a very hard time figuring out whether or not it WAS supposed to be a joke, and trust me, I've tried to do some research on this. Overall, 2 stars. An okay read to pass the time.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I usually write my book reviews as I'm reading them while the thoughts are fresh in my head. But, this is the first time I started writing a review less than five pages into the book. Right off the bat the reader is thrown into an action-packed nightmare from a man who talks like a walking thesaurus. The plot itself improves as the story moves on, I will give it that. At parts, I actually looked forward to what would happen next, but still leaves much to be desired. When I finally did make it to the ending, it just left me confused and longing for some other kind of closure. I didn't really feel like I completed my story.
Diving into the meat of this book, I find the overall writing style to be plain edgy. The scenarios, the characters, Tom continuously comparing himself to emojis... This was a hard one to finish. It isn't entirely unenjoyable, and does have some amusing moments, but I'm still trying to figure out if this is all satirical. Some of the concepts introduced are just plain silly, and don't even get me started on the hastags. If I were to treat the book as a comedic take on millenials and social media, the humor still feels kind of like the same jokes that have been run into the ground all over social media by people that AREN'T milennials.
This book honestly seems like it was made solely to enrage Millenials for using social media. I do understand the premise of this book and what it was leading up to. If this was solely made to be satirical, then the author did a pretty good job, but again, I had a very hard time figuring out whether or not it WAS supposed to be a joke, and trust me, I've tried to do some research on this. Overall, 2 stars. An okay read to pass the time.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. We live in an age where 'social media' is everything - especially to the younger generation. Look around and what do you see? Heads buried in phones? If so, I really think you'll enjoy this book....and possibly the twist at the end!
Though my 12 year old is a bit young for the sexual references, I will certainly recommend to my 19, 22 and 25 year old sons....it'll be a pleasure to see their heads buried in something else rather than their phones for a change
Though my 12 year old is a bit young for the sexual references, I will certainly recommend to my 19, 22 and 25 year old sons....it'll be a pleasure to see their heads buried in something else rather than their phones for a change
May 8, 2018
I could not finish this book. Perhaps it could use another round of editing? I lose interest when an Author writes in the style of, "We stood there like two Olympic swimmers, my heart beat like...the water moved liked..."
March 20, 2017
Note: I got a copy from Netgally in exchange for an honest review
I did not enjoy this at all. All of the characters were quite flat. The only reason that they had any other interesting traits were to further the story. The plot was confusing, overly violent and sexual. I remember reading another review that said something that I quite liked. It was that it is funny how this is about the death of all cellular devices and social media when it is on Netgalley for electronic review. Over all this was not something I enjoyed or will be picking up again.
I did not enjoy this at all. All of the characters were quite flat. The only reason that they had any other interesting traits were to further the story. The plot was confusing, overly violent and sexual. I remember reading another review that said something that I quite liked. It was that it is funny how this is about the death of all cellular devices and social media when it is on Netgalley for electronic review. Over all this was not something I enjoyed or will be picking up again.
June 4, 2017
[I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.]
Quite an interesting story, with likeable characters—possibly a like goofy, too, but I was in the mood for that, and also, taking jabs at helpdesks/customer service? Count me in, I’ve been in that kind of jobs that for some time now, and we all need to find our fun somewhere, otherwise we’d just get bonkers.
Anyway. That was for the fun parts, enhanced with the way the narrator swipes at social media, the amount of time we spend checking Facebook and Twitter, and how it’s so easy to get lost in it. Not that I don’t like my little FB time, but I know what it feels like to turn your computer on at the end of the day and realise you’ve spent the past two hours going through clickbait crap when you could’ve been doing something else. (Like reading, and reviewing, and therefore catching up on your backlog of NetGalley books, so that you can then post your reviews on your blog and FB page and... Wait a second.)
There are less fun parts, too, closer to actual terrorism, with a plot meant to destroy cell towers, satellites, etc., through a virus uploaded on everybody’s smartphones. A revolution of sorts, to force people to look up from their phones and enjoy life again. Kind of extreme (I’m trying not to spend too much time on social media, but let’s be honest, if internet and networks in general are gone, I’m out of a job). One will like this idea or not. It’s probably a case of ‘doing the wrong things for the right reasons’. In the light of recent years and the growing amount of terrorist attacks, this commentary is not, well, enjoyable, yet one can also (unfortunately) relate to it while reading about it (my main Tube hub is closed today because of that, now let me tell you that’s one instance I was glad to hang on FB instead of being out socialising!).
Style: the writing is OK, some typos now and then (it was an ARC so hopefullyl those were corrected in the final version), and at first the narrator alluding to hashtags and emojis was a little confusing. Nothing too bad, though.
I’m torn about the twist in the end—can’t decide whether I like it, or would have preferred the story to end one chapter earlier. Still unsure as well if the book was meant to be totally satirical, and if I should get angry at it (I preferred to treat is as satire and fun, because I’m too lazy and it’s too hot outside to waste energy into such feelings).
Conclusion: Maybe not the best read you can find when it comes to taking jabs at social, yet enjoyable nonetheless.
Quite an interesting story, with likeable characters—possibly a like goofy, too, but I was in the mood for that, and also, taking jabs at helpdesks/customer service? Count me in, I’ve been in that kind of jobs that for some time now, and we all need to find our fun somewhere, otherwise we’d just get bonkers.
Anyway. That was for the fun parts, enhanced with the way the narrator swipes at social media, the amount of time we spend checking Facebook and Twitter, and how it’s so easy to get lost in it. Not that I don’t like my little FB time, but I know what it feels like to turn your computer on at the end of the day and realise you’ve spent the past two hours going through clickbait crap when you could’ve been doing something else. (Like reading, and reviewing, and therefore catching up on your backlog of NetGalley books, so that you can then post your reviews on your blog and FB page and... Wait a second.)
There are less fun parts, too, closer to actual terrorism, with a plot meant to destroy cell towers, satellites, etc., through a virus uploaded on everybody’s smartphones. A revolution of sorts, to force people to look up from their phones and enjoy life again. Kind of extreme (I’m trying not to spend too much time on social media, but let’s be honest, if internet and networks in general are gone, I’m out of a job). One will like this idea or not. It’s probably a case of ‘doing the wrong things for the right reasons’. In the light of recent years and the growing amount of terrorist attacks, this commentary is not, well, enjoyable, yet one can also (unfortunately) relate to it while reading about it (my main Tube hub is closed today because of that, now let me tell you that’s one instance I was glad to hang on FB instead of being out socialising!).
Style: the writing is OK, some typos now and then (it was an ARC so hopefullyl those were corrected in the final version), and at first the narrator alluding to hashtags and emojis was a little confusing. Nothing too bad, though.
I’m torn about the twist in the end—can’t decide whether I like it, or would have preferred the story to end one chapter earlier. Still unsure as well if the book was meant to be totally satirical, and if I should get angry at it (I preferred to treat is as satire and fun, because I’m too lazy and it’s too hot outside to waste energy into such feelings).
Conclusion: Maybe not the best read you can find when it comes to taking jabs at social, yet enjoyable nonetheless.
August 20, 2017
Eccoci qui a scrivere su un social, anche se un po' particolare, di un romanzo che parla dei social, al punto da dichiarare nel titolo "I'm not my social feed". E infatti il protagonista è un drogato di social, ma non solo, uno così predisposto alle dipendenze da dipendere da tutto ciò che entra nel suo "circolo", compresa una sbandierata battaglia proprio contro quei social da cui lui è dipendente, indetta da un personaggio del quale uno sospetterebbe le intenzioni persino se gli augurasse il buon giorno. Così, in un turbinare di eventi che coinvolgono anche la presidenza Trump e la strage del Bataclan, il nostro protagonista scivola inesorabilmente, e a grande velocità, verso la fine che spetta a quelli come lui: fare il topo da laboratorio.
Non male, anche se, forse, troppo confuso... come la mente di chi soffre di dipendenze, verrebbe da dire.
Ringrazio CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
Here we are writing on a social, although a bit particular, about a novel about the socials, to the point of declaring in the title "I'm not my social feeds". In fact, the main character is a social junkie, but not only that, he is one so predisposed to addictions to depend on anything that enters his 'bloodstream', including a heralded battle precisely against those socials from which he is addicted, launched by a character of which you would suspect the intentions even if he wishes you a good day. So, in a swirl of events that also involve the Trump presidency and the massacre of Bataclan, our protagonist slips inexorably, and at great speed towards the end that it is up to people like him: to be a lab rat.
Not bad, although perhaps too confusing ... how the mind of those suffering from addictions, one might say.
Thank CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Non male, anche se, forse, troppo confuso... come la mente di chi soffre di dipendenze, verrebbe da dire.
Ringrazio CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
Here we are writing on a social, although a bit particular, about a novel about the socials, to the point of declaring in the title "I'm not my social feeds". In fact, the main character is a social junkie, but not only that, he is one so predisposed to addictions to depend on anything that enters his 'bloodstream', including a heralded battle precisely against those socials from which he is addicted, launched by a character of which you would suspect the intentions even if he wishes you a good day. So, in a swirl of events that also involve the Trump presidency and the massacre of Bataclan, our protagonist slips inexorably, and at great speed towards the end that it is up to people like him: to be a lab rat.
Not bad, although perhaps too confusing ... how the mind of those suffering from addictions, one might say.
Thank CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2020
"Received as an ARC from the author in return for this honest review;
Don't be fooled by the cover, this book is really not a horror story, more a dystopian book of a different format. Not the usual end of the world, post apocalyptic scenario, more the end of civilisation for many - the end of electronic telecommunication.
This book is fast-paced and easy to read. It does jump around a little but that adds to the intrigue at times. Sometimes it takes a few paragraphs to understand who's point of view you are reading from but it really does not detract from the story.
More inclined for a younger audience, I feel, although
there are a few adult concepts. I enjoyed the concept this book played out and how it reached its conclusion. Some real time events (terrorist attack at the Bataclan theatre in Paris) bring a sense of reality to the plot. Very much a good guy versus bad guy type plot.
I admit to some disappointment with the ending. I think the story could have wound up a couple of pages before it does and left the plot at that. There is a twist in the tail that I felt was a little unnecessary which really did turn the story on its head. I was satisfied with the book without that twist."
Don't be fooled by the cover, this book is really not a horror story, more a dystopian book of a different format. Not the usual end of the world, post apocalyptic scenario, more the end of civilisation for many - the end of electronic telecommunication.
This book is fast-paced and easy to read. It does jump around a little but that adds to the intrigue at times. Sometimes it takes a few paragraphs to understand who's point of view you are reading from but it really does not detract from the story.
More inclined for a younger audience, I feel, although
there are a few adult concepts. I enjoyed the concept this book played out and how it reached its conclusion. Some real time events (terrorist attack at the Bataclan theatre in Paris) bring a sense of reality to the plot. Very much a good guy versus bad guy type plot.
I admit to some disappointment with the ending. I think the story could have wound up a couple of pages before it does and left the plot at that. There is a twist in the tail that I felt was a little unnecessary which really did turn the story on its head. I was satisfied with the book without that twist."
August 4, 2017
Full review at https://tizztymatic.wordpress.com
I completely understand the point of the book, but it felt so unnecessary.
It had so much potential in the dystopia field, but like I said, I understand why this is labeled humorous. The pacing is pretty quick, which is very good for Nawar Alsaadi's style of writing in this novel, and it can help you move along in the story.
Wouldn't say it's something that'll be hard for you to get into, though. It's easy to read. Might have a bunch of things you might think are offensive, but aside from that, if you get it, it can definitely hold your interest.
I can't even tell you how many paragraphs I skipped over. Felt that a lot of the text was completely unnecessary; like a bunch of rambling. It got to the point where I almost DNF'ed only 20% in. Due to the potential I think the book had/had, I can't rate it no lower than 3 stars. It was an okay read.
Oh and the random twist at the end. I still don't know if I like/accept it or if it was another unnecessary thing.
I completely understand the point of the book, but it felt so unnecessary.
It had so much potential in the dystopia field, but like I said, I understand why this is labeled humorous. The pacing is pretty quick, which is very good for Nawar Alsaadi's style of writing in this novel, and it can help you move along in the story.
Wouldn't say it's something that'll be hard for you to get into, though. It's easy to read. Might have a bunch of things you might think are offensive, but aside from that, if you get it, it can definitely hold your interest.
I can't even tell you how many paragraphs I skipped over. Felt that a lot of the text was completely unnecessary; like a bunch of rambling. It got to the point where I almost DNF'ed only 20% in. Due to the potential I think the book had/had, I can't rate it no lower than 3 stars. It was an okay read.
Oh and the random twist at the end. I still don't know if I like/accept it or if it was another unnecessary thing.
March 23, 2022
Clock zero by Nawa Alsaadi.
Clock Zero has been released on Kindle and Kobo for a test run on November 24th 2016. The official release will take place on January 17th 2017 with the publication of the paperback version.
I'm very much interested in a bottom up marketing approach consisting of word of mouth, reviews on relevant sites such as Amazon and Goodreads, and giveaways of signed paperback books on various venues. I'm hopeful the NetGalley community will assist in this effort.
Clock Zero has the potential to become a cult book, and potentially a movie. I'm pursuing venues to turn the book into a motion picture.
A good read. 4*.
Clock Zero has been released on Kindle and Kobo for a test run on November 24th 2016. The official release will take place on January 17th 2017 with the publication of the paperback version.
I'm very much interested in a bottom up marketing approach consisting of word of mouth, reviews on relevant sites such as Amazon and Goodreads, and giveaways of signed paperback books on various venues. I'm hopeful the NetGalley community will assist in this effort.
Clock Zero has the potential to become a cult book, and potentially a movie. I'm pursuing venues to turn the book into a motion picture.
A good read. 4*.
January 30, 2017
It was interesting to read fiction that was so "modern", but I wonder whether the pop culture references will withstand the test of time. I highly doubt that emojis, Angry Birds, & Katniss Everdeen will survive historical lore as the Roman Forum, French Revolution beheadings, & Oliver Twist. Or maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe it's OK to be entertained and thought-provoked by an ephemeral novel.
I do always like references to quotes and other literature. I found myself following instructions and googling IBM Xenon as well as other references I hadn't known like Shangri-La from "Lost Horizons".
The story was interesting, but it obviously stole plots from other stories, so much so that many scenes were described as settings from other movies. I had made connections to Fight Club, Black Mirror, & V for Vendetta many pages before they were actually mentioned.
It was so modern... so current... that I felt like I could have been reading some new age Huffington Post article. That is, until
------
SPOILER ALERT
------
the story quite suddenly turned into the final scene of Fight Club; and then just as drastically, into Jacob's Ladder. I like twists... but I don't like dream twists.
I do always like references to quotes and other literature. I found myself following instructions and googling IBM Xenon as well as other references I hadn't known like Shangri-La from "Lost Horizons".
The story was interesting, but it obviously stole plots from other stories, so much so that many scenes were described as settings from other movies. I had made connections to Fight Club, Black Mirror, & V for Vendetta many pages before they were actually mentioned.
It was so modern... so current... that I felt like I could have been reading some new age Huffington Post article. That is, until
------
SPOILER ALERT
------
the story quite suddenly turned into the final scene of Fight Club; and then just as drastically, into Jacob's Ladder. I like twists... but I don't like dream twists.
February 7, 2017
Originally published on
Hina Loves To Read
The name of the book, the premise and the cover got me excited for this story. In the end it is a disappointment.
It started with a being a drag and too many words than were required and very many tangents for no reason at all. I thought that was it and I could not read anymore but I persevered anyway.
Then came the revolution of people not being their newsfeed and it perked me up as I thought the action will happen. But nothing happened, really. I kept reading, reading, reading (that is a bow to words being used thrice in the story itself) and nothing happened.
I did learn how to make heroin and facts about Greek mythology and incidents in history. But again, if it was mythology or history or chemistry I wanted to read, why would I pick up a novel?
The ending was thoroughly anticlimactic (with many cliffhangers) that I wanted to bang my head in the nearest wall.
The name of the book, the premise and the cover got me excited for this story. In the end it is a disappointment.
It started with a being a drag and too many words than were required and very many tangents for no reason at all. I thought that was it and I could not read anymore but I persevered anyway.
Then came the revolution of people not being their newsfeed and it perked me up as I thought the action will happen. But nothing happened, really. I kept reading, reading, reading (that is a bow to words being used thrice in the story itself) and nothing happened.
I did learn how to make heroin and facts about Greek mythology and incidents in history. But again, if it was mythology or history or chemistry I wanted to read, why would I pick up a novel?
The ending was thoroughly anticlimactic (with many cliffhangers) that I wanted to bang my head in the nearest wall.
December 27, 2016
Excellent telling of the chains that come with participating in the digital world. The authors grasp of the social media world is all-encompassing. And as the story rolls out with the fanatical response of social media Luddites, you will be surprised at the ending, but not really, since our world is really a shadow of something else.
March 28, 2017
Although I've only given two stars for this novel, I'm torn. On one hand, this novel is unbelievable, sometimes crass and spends a little too long rambling on about seemingly unimportant themes and topics. On the other hand however, I couldn't stop reading it, despite all of the above, and I cannot for the life of me figure out how I feel about it! The rambling historical references and crassness of the narrator, although a little pointless or crude at times, did a good job of characterising him and seemed honest, new and engaging. Despite this however, I feel the novel may have worked better as a short story, short story collection or even an essay - it didn't need to be as long as it was, although the themes and idea behind it are interesting and current.
April 24, 2017
I definitely laughed and was surprised by some events. There were grammatical errors which I do not know if those are the result of an error with the downloading or the problems are with the author and editors. Interesting premise...that is why I decided to read this. This was my second book I have read on my phone through Kindle and was not sure what to expect with my reading discipline but I finished it in about 5 days. The end was a letdown though and I still cannot reconcile the way the author decided to finish this story. I will read other books from him.
December 16, 2017
DNF
I knew this book was either gonna speak the truth about today's society or it would be total crap. Unfortunately, I couldn't decide which one was true.
The writing style is so dry, and wordy, and just plain annoying. Don't get me wrong, I knew from the moment I read the synopsis that there would be a lot of complaining about today's society's dependence on technology. However, it got to the point that there was too much complaining and not enough story. (FYI, Huge rants do not move the story along). The characters were so flat that I couldn't even tell you their names.
There were also too many "current" references (mostly) to pop culture that dated this book extremenly. It's really hard to get lost in the story when the book itself tells you everything supposedly already happened just a few months ago.
I was ready to be convinced that we needed to destroy technology (something that I already think about every now and then), but this was ultimately a dissapointment.
I knew this book was either gonna speak the truth about today's society or it would be total crap. Unfortunately, I couldn't decide which one was true.
The writing style is so dry, and wordy, and just plain annoying. Don't get me wrong, I knew from the moment I read the synopsis that there would be a lot of complaining about today's society's dependence on technology. However, it got to the point that there was too much complaining and not enough story. (FYI, Huge rants do not move the story along). The characters were so flat that I couldn't even tell you their names.
There were also too many "current" references (mostly) to pop culture that dated this book extremenly. It's really hard to get lost in the story when the book itself tells you everything supposedly already happened just a few months ago.
I was ready to be convinced that we needed to destroy technology (something that I already think about every now and then), but this was ultimately a dissapointment.
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