Un-Plugged-In

by David A. Greis

The truth is that sometimes, Bryan can be a clingy college boyfriend. In one universe, he follows his girlfriend Jamie's every move on Instagram, but in another, it's the '90s, and he lives in a world with only voicemail and no read receipts. Meanwhile, when present-day Jamie studies abroad in Rome, everything must be perfectly documented to maintain her flawless online persona. But the real adventure might be in store for her '90s self—where her eyes aren't always glued to her phone. So which world—the more analog or more digital—will make it easier for Bryan and Jamie's relationship to survive?

A thought experiment turned dual novella, Un-Plugged-In poses the who might you have been if you were born into a different generation? Told side-by-side, the two stories explore relationships, travel, and even a campus scandal through the lens of the technologies that have come to dominate our lives over the past two decades.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2019

About the author

David Greis thinks about tech, writes about tech, and even works with tech. His last name is pronounced like "grace." When not tech-ing, you can find him trying to get better at his hobbies, surfing and salsa-ing.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm the first to review this, I wish I was singing it praises, but gotta be honest, it doesn't really lead one into a song, even karaoke style. Neat concept, literary juxtaposition of the same characters in different times to explore the meaning modern technology has on relationships. So I went in for the concept. But…well, first off the official description states this is a thought experiment turned novella. Two things…thought experiments don’t always make for compelling fiction and this is very much not a novella, it’s a novel of about 326 pages. I wouldn’t have read it knowing the page count, really I only had enough interest in the concept for a novella length read, but anyway, I’m a completist, so read it all I did. The story follows two college kids in their romance, alternating timelines from 1990s to present day. The technology does have a significant effect on how they meet, interact and so on, but seems like the message is that in the end of the day, no matter how tech savvy or analog you are, relationships take their own course irrespective of the levels of digital connectivity one might establish. In fact, things turn out surprisingly similar in both storylines, although popular culture and mode of communication change dramatically. So I suppose the message here is that people are what they are, no matter the gadgets. It is my personal opinion that people have become considerably sh*ttier to each other as the technology progressed and communication has been reduced to lines of improperly spelled text and emojis, but maybe I’m just a grouchy luddite. I completely appreciate having a wealth of information at your fingertips at all times, but the interaction aspect of social media turns me off immensely. I’ve pondered the significance the modern technology has had on my own relationship…but never wanted to write a book about it. The author did, though, and kudos to him, it’s a pretty well written book, especially for a random unknown debut. The pop culture sprinkled throughout is fun, although the foot notes might be too much. But in the end of the day I didn’t care about either of the characters, some of which might be due to them being so young, some of which might be due to them being not very interesting. The thought experiment aspect got tiresome after a while (it seemed that it was more interesting for the author to conduct it than to entertain the readers with it) and the novel didn’t really deliver on its own merit as being demonstrated by the lackluster ending. So it didn’t really seem worth the time. Should have definitely been a novella. Thanks Netgalley.

[John Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this -- the writing was sharp, witty, and entertaining, and overall, the narrative felt unpredictable and engaging (don't want to spoil it so won't go into the actual story). I found the concept innovative without being heavy-handed. Would want to read more from this author.

[Lacey ♡☆ Ailene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was told in a different way that would intrigue readers. The concept is great and it is a new way to tell a story!

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the interplay of characters and the literary approach this book took. The narrative unfolded well and I appreciated a fresh approach to storytelling.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to booksgosocial for sending me a copy of unplugged in exchange for an honest review. I went into this one with minimal expectations as I am very picky about stories that re-tell a time like the 90's or 80's. I actually loved it and fell hardcore for the nostalgia moments I found myself roaming page to page. It s a novella so, I spared the need for deep character development and extreme worldbuilding for another book and thought that this one brought on a lot of thought provoking questions. Like, who would I have been if I was born in a different time period. Would I be who I am today? And the truth is no, I wouldn't and none of us would either. Technology shapes so much of who we are today, what we decide to listen, who we decide we are, etc. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a short book in a time ago place. :) 3.5 stars

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, that at it's core, is a bit of a commentary about our constantly plugged in world today, and how many things have changed now that we have social media and the internet at our fingertips 24/7 via cellphones. I enjoyed the duality at play - the same two people, but two vastly different worlds (technologically speaking). I won't spoil anything (is the 90s or the modern world better for their relationship), but I will say this was a unique story that makes you think.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the span of less than two decades, we’ve lived through one of the greatest technological revolutions in history. The ubiquity of the internet, along with the invention of the smart phone and its immediate mass-adoption, have taken us from a world where it’s possible to disconnect to one where we're always "plugged in." This book is a thought experiment rather than a traditional novel. It explores the subtle ways in which the always-on nature of modern technology affects how we spend time, find love, express hate, and search for truth. It does so through the eyes of everyman college student Bryan and his girlfriend Jaime. By alternating chapters in two different time periods, Greis explores how their relationship might play out differently in the pre-smartphone era versus today.

Greis has a good eye for detail, and the “un-plugged” timeline is likely to resonate with anyone who was in college 15-20 years ago. Both time periods are given fair treatment, and Greis is careful to highlight ways in which technology has made things better as well as worse. There are some consistent themes; it’s hard to expand upon them with revealing spoilers, but suffice it to say that Greis's method of storytelling makes abundantly clear what most of us already know: that technologies ostensibly designed to bring people together often have the opposite effect.

The book is not without flaws. Greis might have benefited from having a solid editor to tighten up some parts and expand upon others. The central conceit — alternating chapters where the same scenes play out twice — makes the pacing a bit awkward. The characters can sometimes seem pedestrian, and the main “mystery” isn't so mysterious. Still, despite these flaws, the book is a quick read. I found myself bringing it up in conversation several times over the last few weeks, since the topics it explores couldn’t be more timely.

Overall it’s a great debut, and I look forward to reading more by the author.

[Alessia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say that I DNF this book.
I was at chapter 4 but it wasn't involved me into the reading.
I like the double pov but I was stucked for almost a month on the same chapters.

[Aj R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un-plugged-in is a fun and thought provoking book. It's a good vacation read, something entertaining while lounging on the beach. I was surprised at first when I started the second chapter and it so closely repeated the first. But after reviewing the table of contents, I realized that this was actually a feature and not a mistake! Maybe the author could have included a brief fore-word to give readers a warning? I enjoyed this creative choice as it provided an interesting juxtaposition of the story in different time periods. It had me thinking about how the different communication and self expression mediums played a role in the behavior of the characters. Even though this book has it's entertainment value, it provides thought provoking examples of how social media has changed our lives for the better or worse in our time of hyperconnectedness.

One final thought - I am hoping that I can keep access to my Kindle books for a long long time. One day in the future, when I have kids using technologies that I can only imagine, AR, VR, not-yet-invented-R, I am going to dig up this book for them to read a time capsule into my life as a young adult. I can only hope that they'll be less angsty than me and Bryan...

[Michael Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super fascinating book - I didn't know what to expect when I stumbled upon it, beyond the tagline and an exposure of what it would be like to have similar experiences with or without technology. Having grown up in both worlds, this was both a comment on our present and a travel back in time to what life was like. I'll admit that I was drawn in and drawn out by both sides at different times throughout the book, but I think that's the book's charm: it never keeps you in one world for too long and you get the satisfaction of never getting used to one perspective. Greis' writing is contemporary, descriptive, and engaging without being heavy-handed. Its characters aren't immediately lovable but I don't think that's the point - I think it's trying to get us to think about how we interact and communicate with each other and how can we all continue to connect personally with each other, a message that all of us can work on these days.

[Claire Boniface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some formatting issues let this book down a lot, footnotes appearing in the wrong place and the ending was so abrupt I genuinely wasn’t sure if it had been another formatting error but the page count checks out so I don’t think so.***
I really enjoyed how this book executed the concept and felt that the characters were incredibly realistic, I simultaneously wanted it to be shorter (which editing could easily do by removing a lot of the repetitive elements, they have their use but I feel they could’ve been cut down a lot) and wanted more for some resolution.
The SmearCat plot I definitely preferred to the study abroad parts of the book and I wish it had focused on that a lot more.

***EDIT: I have been told that these issues have been resolved in editions of the book released later than the one I had access to.

[Jeryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about the relationship between an under ambitious would be musician and an overambitious aspiriing actress. It is told in alternating chapters one in which the action takes place in a world before we all became social media obssessed and the other which takes place in a world after. It is fascinating to see how the world of social media affects the interactions and the relationship between these two people and those around them. However, at times neither of the two main characters is all that likeable and if you like a book that wraps up neatly in the end you will be disappointed. All in all, although the book is worth reading for its very unique and interesting premise, it would be better if the story were better developed and one or more of the characters were a little more likeable.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

How does technology impact our lives? Would our lives be better without a smartphone? Or without the internet? Without constantly comparing ourselves to others?

Un-Plugged-In tackles these questions in a unique way, taking its lead characters, placing them in two different settings, past and present, and seeing how their lives unfold. We see the mediating impact of technology, or lack thereof, on the choices the characters make and the lives they lead as a result, to amusing and often heartbreaking results.

This novel grabs you by the arms and doesn’t let go. I found myself yelling at Bryan at parts, something I rarely do! Overall a solid debut by David Greis and a (hopefully!) herald of more to come.

[Pam Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The same characters' stories are told in two different timeframes - one embracing the modern use of technology and the other in the 1990s. Having attended university (and met my husband) in the late 1990s I was particularly interested in what the author perceived were the differences between building relationships in the two different times. Unfortunately the book didn't really deliver as much as I had hoped. It seemed to lean towards technology (or lack of) doesn't matter as much as human character but I really only finished the book because I had started it.

[Sharon Gitman Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking journey of relationships, communication, and technology

Through the lens of a young romance, David Greis takes us through an adventure which contrasts our relationships with each other and with technology between two different periods of time. This thought-provoking adventure makes you reflect on our past, present, and definitely our future in a relatable way.