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Black Box
As the United Kingdom approached the end of the 21st century, a radical democratic experiment was about to turn the country inside out. Prime Minister Oliver Sharpe’s surprise announcement of a snap election was just the start. Black Box was to be the all-seeing eye that would track your opinions and determine your vote. No longer would you have to pick up a pencil and make an informed decision for yourself.
With information on Black Box’s complex calculations in short supply, Sharpe’s political opponents fought back with logic, cunning, and indignation. Forced into an election campaign at short notice, and not knowing enough about how Black Box works, they had to adapt and finesse their campaigns to appeal to a population becoming more divided by the day. Their schemes and stratagems brought turbulent political change in a set of events which until this account, have been fundamentally misinterpreted.
With information on Black Box’s complex calculations in short supply, Sharpe’s political opponents fought back with logic, cunning, and indignation. Forced into an election campaign at short notice, and not knowing enough about how Black Box works, they had to adapt and finesse their campaigns to appeal to a population becoming more divided by the day. Their schemes and stratagems brought turbulent political change in a set of events which until this account, have been fundamentally misinterpreted.
251 pages, Hardcover
Published July 24, 2022
3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Al James
1 book16 followersBrand new author with a penchant for that strange area where politics and technology overlap
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 15, 2022
Black Box is a thought experiment about elections that goes from odd to terrifying in it's implications;
What happens when people not longer vote but the voting booth is replaced with predictive algorithm?
I was immediately reminded of 'Franchise' by Issac Azimov- In a way it is a larger version of the Azimov Data Set notion via social algorithm.
While initial a harmless predictive model, what happens when people are suddenly aware that their public opinions are being watched?
The election of the late 21st century in the book is a hypothetical, as was Franchise, but like Azimov it might be eerily predictive.
---
Fair warning, readers unfamiliar with British politics specifically and parliamentary systems used in Europe in general may find a bit of a hurdle in the specifics of the election in the story. Not to worry, it shouldn't be a big hurdle.
What happens when people not longer vote but the voting booth is replaced with predictive algorithm?
I was immediately reminded of 'Franchise' by Issac Azimov- In a way it is a larger version of the Azimov Data Set notion via social algorithm.
While initial a harmless predictive model, what happens when people are suddenly aware that their public opinions are being watched?
The election of the late 21st century in the book is a hypothetical, as was Franchise, but like Azimov it might be eerily predictive.
---
Fair warning, readers unfamiliar with British politics specifically and parliamentary systems used in Europe in general may find a bit of a hurdle in the specifics of the election in the story. Not to worry, it shouldn't be a big hurdle.
October 14, 2022
Goodreads rating: 3 stars.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, I’d like to thank Al James for trusting me with reading his book and for his patience with me while I reading it during a very busy time of work and my return to university. I appreciate the faith you have put in me to write this review.
Black Box, at its core, is a futuristic political story set in the UK during 2098, 2 years from the beginning of the 22nd century. In this story, the current PM, Oliver Sharpe, announces a snap election, but not just that - he announces what he believes to be a revolutionary move in terms of the voting process: the first ever digital election, all thanks to an algorithm created by Apollo, a well-known and prominent technology company.
Black Box acts as an all-seeing, all-knowing programme that tracks opinions in order to determine the vote of an individual. Gone are the days where you put a cross in a box on one day, and in their places are the days where people are told to “get online” and “make as much noise as possible” about the parties they support and why they support them.
With limited knowledge on just how Black Box works other than this vague instruction to get online due to both Oliver Sharpe and Apollo refusing to share details with the other parties in the game and the public itself, the country divides, with conflict (and questions) arising - just how does Black Box work? And just how can you do enough to make your voice heard and, as a consequence, give the party you support the best chance at winning?
Sharpe’s opposing parties scrambled to adjust their strategies and refine their campaigns with next to no information about just how to proceed in this new, technological election, and the author gives an account of the major, most turbulent events that happened during this fictional, futuristic, moment in time.
To begin with, it is evident that Al James has a clear grasp of what politics would perhaps look like in a more modern, digital age such as the futuristic time period this story is set in, and for that I applaud him. It is quite obvious how passionate he is about political fiction and this shows in the writing.
I liked that you never knew for sure who to trust because, at the end of the day, practically all the main characters in this novella are politicians who are quite skilled in the charm offensive, and journalists with a natural talent for writing to convince and persuade you one way or another. Due to this, while I believe the strongest character in my opinion was Amanda King, leader of the Federalist Party, I wasn’t sure whether I liked her BECAUSE of a politician’s ability to trick and persuade people into liking them. Did I really like her or did I like the persona she was putting on for the public? When a writer really makes their readers think deeper like this, it is very impressive, and it is plain to see that Al James knows exactly how to craft and create the characteristics of a good politician who you never know if you can trust. I also admired a lot of the speeches given by the political leaders in this story, you could tell that the writer really put a lot of thought into them. The clear-cut contrast between all the political parties and their leaders was also excellent, making it more entertaining to watch the tension grow.
I liked the format in some places with the inclusion of things like news articles and manifestos, I thought that was clever and really worked alongside the story that was being told. I also thought the countdown of the days until the election at the start of each chapter increased the stakes of the story, making me more anxious as time crept closer and closer forward, which as a consequence dialled up the intensity. However, while the formatting worked in some places, in the parts of natural narration I would have liked to have seen the traditional layout of indented paragraphs that you see in practically every novel and novella, just to make everything look slightly tidier, but maybe I’m just old-fashioned that way 😂.
The book’s ending really tied everything up quite nicely and gave a great message about logic and emotion, and it was nice that the narrator (who I now see as Mr James himself) stepped forward as having his own voice: the penman of the tale.
This was a good read in itself, as you can see from all the positives I’ve listed above. It was well-written (albeit there were a few mere handful of spelling, punctuation and grammar errors but they did not take away from the overall clarity of the writing and the story), but simply not the kind of genre I particularly enjoy, despite the fact that the writer has a clear talent at taking such a heavy genre as political fiction and writing a very universal story that is easy to understand.
I struggled with rounding up or down - despite my actual rating being 3.5, but alas, Goodreads does not allow half ratings - since I take no issue with the story and writing itself, it’s just not a genre or the type of story I tend to enjoy the most as I prefer passion, emotion and character relationships, and perhaps even a little science-fiction, a little magic. Perhaps if this story had veered more towards the subtle futuristic tone it had - being set in 2098 and with some clear advancements in technology- and emphasised that a little more I would have rounded up instead of down, but I know that this story is fundamentally about politics and I appreciate that, it just simply is not the kind of thing I go for, despite this not being a bad book and despite the fact that I have no doubt that many others will not only recognise the good writing which I recognised, but also thoroughly enjoy the story.
All of that being said, the author is so obviously a skilled writer, there’s no doubt about that whatsoever, and should he experiment with other genres outside of political fiction, I would definitely consider looking into those books.
If you’re a fan of politics overlapped with technology, this book is definitely for you. I think there is definitely a market for books such as this. A good story, I can recognise that… just not the story for me, not the kind of story that thrills me to the bone and keeps me up at night wanting to read more. But that’s just me. I know for a fact that there are people out there who would devour this, one of my own friends included - who has even added it to his ‘want to read’ list when I frantically told him how much it was HIS kind of book and he absolutely agreed when he read the synopsis😂.
Congratulations to the author on this story and thanks once again for letting me read it, I don’t read political fiction often - in fact I can’t remember the last time I did before this book - so thank you for allowing me that experience and good luck with whatever you take on next.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, I’d like to thank Al James for trusting me with reading his book and for his patience with me while I reading it during a very busy time of work and my return to university. I appreciate the faith you have put in me to write this review.
Black Box, at its core, is a futuristic political story set in the UK during 2098, 2 years from the beginning of the 22nd century. In this story, the current PM, Oliver Sharpe, announces a snap election, but not just that - he announces what he believes to be a revolutionary move in terms of the voting process: the first ever digital election, all thanks to an algorithm created by Apollo, a well-known and prominent technology company.
Black Box acts as an all-seeing, all-knowing programme that tracks opinions in order to determine the vote of an individual. Gone are the days where you put a cross in a box on one day, and in their places are the days where people are told to “get online” and “make as much noise as possible” about the parties they support and why they support them.
With limited knowledge on just how Black Box works other than this vague instruction to get online due to both Oliver Sharpe and Apollo refusing to share details with the other parties in the game and the public itself, the country divides, with conflict (and questions) arising - just how does Black Box work? And just how can you do enough to make your voice heard and, as a consequence, give the party you support the best chance at winning?
Sharpe’s opposing parties scrambled to adjust their strategies and refine their campaigns with next to no information about just how to proceed in this new, technological election, and the author gives an account of the major, most turbulent events that happened during this fictional, futuristic, moment in time.
To begin with, it is evident that Al James has a clear grasp of what politics would perhaps look like in a more modern, digital age such as the futuristic time period this story is set in, and for that I applaud him. It is quite obvious how passionate he is about political fiction and this shows in the writing.
I liked that you never knew for sure who to trust because, at the end of the day, practically all the main characters in this novella are politicians who are quite skilled in the charm offensive, and journalists with a natural talent for writing to convince and persuade you one way or another. Due to this, while I believe the strongest character in my opinion was Amanda King, leader of the Federalist Party, I wasn’t sure whether I liked her BECAUSE of a politician’s ability to trick and persuade people into liking them. Did I really like her or did I like the persona she was putting on for the public? When a writer really makes their readers think deeper like this, it is very impressive, and it is plain to see that Al James knows exactly how to craft and create the characteristics of a good politician who you never know if you can trust. I also admired a lot of the speeches given by the political leaders in this story, you could tell that the writer really put a lot of thought into them. The clear-cut contrast between all the political parties and their leaders was also excellent, making it more entertaining to watch the tension grow.
I liked the format in some places with the inclusion of things like news articles and manifestos, I thought that was clever and really worked alongside the story that was being told. I also thought the countdown of the days until the election at the start of each chapter increased the stakes of the story, making me more anxious as time crept closer and closer forward, which as a consequence dialled up the intensity. However, while the formatting worked in some places, in the parts of natural narration I would have liked to have seen the traditional layout of indented paragraphs that you see in practically every novel and novella, just to make everything look slightly tidier, but maybe I’m just old-fashioned that way 😂.
The book’s ending really tied everything up quite nicely and gave a great message about logic and emotion, and it was nice that the narrator (who I now see as Mr James himself) stepped forward as having his own voice: the penman of the tale.
This was a good read in itself, as you can see from all the positives I’ve listed above. It was well-written (albeit there were a few mere handful of spelling, punctuation and grammar errors but they did not take away from the overall clarity of the writing and the story), but simply not the kind of genre I particularly enjoy, despite the fact that the writer has a clear talent at taking such a heavy genre as political fiction and writing a very universal story that is easy to understand.
I struggled with rounding up or down - despite my actual rating being 3.5, but alas, Goodreads does not allow half ratings - since I take no issue with the story and writing itself, it’s just not a genre or the type of story I tend to enjoy the most as I prefer passion, emotion and character relationships, and perhaps even a little science-fiction, a little magic. Perhaps if this story had veered more towards the subtle futuristic tone it had - being set in 2098 and with some clear advancements in technology- and emphasised that a little more I would have rounded up instead of down, but I know that this story is fundamentally about politics and I appreciate that, it just simply is not the kind of thing I go for, despite this not being a bad book and despite the fact that I have no doubt that many others will not only recognise the good writing which I recognised, but also thoroughly enjoy the story.
All of that being said, the author is so obviously a skilled writer, there’s no doubt about that whatsoever, and should he experiment with other genres outside of political fiction, I would definitely consider looking into those books.
If you’re a fan of politics overlapped with technology, this book is definitely for you. I think there is definitely a market for books such as this. A good story, I can recognise that… just not the story for me, not the kind of story that thrills me to the bone and keeps me up at night wanting to read more. But that’s just me. I know for a fact that there are people out there who would devour this, one of my own friends included - who has even added it to his ‘want to read’ list when I frantically told him how much it was HIS kind of book and he absolutely agreed when he read the synopsis😂.
Congratulations to the author on this story and thanks once again for letting me read it, I don’t read political fiction often - in fact I can’t remember the last time I did before this book - so thank you for allowing me that experience and good luck with whatever you take on next.
August 5, 2022
not too distant future
This is a well written and well timed story about the complexity of modern politics. An AI will be able to determine your vote based on your social media interactions. The story argues the reality of such an election
This is a well written and well timed story about the complexity of modern politics. An AI will be able to determine your vote based on your social media interactions. The story argues the reality of such an election
September 23, 2022
Intriguing Political and technological twist of elections
The story started off primarily in the politics of 2097, but that was not what the book was about. The Black Box is the entire story - about how it works and how it could have decided the victor based on its algorithms and technology of the voting process in the politics of that day.
When Oliver Sharpe, the present Prime MInister finds it difficult to keep his office, he devises an ingenious method of trying to keep the elections in his favour(?). Slowly the other characters come into play, as the effects of the Black Box and how it would affect the elections is brought out.
That is where I have to appreciate the efforts of the author. The book is futuristic and he has explained well, about how a device like the Black Box can be used based on the reactions of the people, their opinions, instead of the actual ballot.
The characters themselves were interesting. Amanda King, definitely so. Even Mo Hart and Zoe Fellows were unique characters.
The results of the elections were surprising and unexpected.
Overall, the way the concept of the Black Box was presented and brought out was very interesting and the story itself was told in a unique manner, gripping my interest.
A very interesting and thought provoking read.
The story started off primarily in the politics of 2097, but that was not what the book was about. The Black Box is the entire story - about how it works and how it could have decided the victor based on its algorithms and technology of the voting process in the politics of that day.
When Oliver Sharpe, the present Prime MInister finds it difficult to keep his office, he devises an ingenious method of trying to keep the elections in his favour(?). Slowly the other characters come into play, as the effects of the Black Box and how it would affect the elections is brought out.
That is where I have to appreciate the efforts of the author. The book is futuristic and he has explained well, about how a device like the Black Box can be used based on the reactions of the people, their opinions, instead of the actual ballot.
The characters themselves were interesting. Amanda King, definitely so. Even Mo Hart and Zoe Fellows were unique characters.
The results of the elections were surprising and unexpected.
Overall, the way the concept of the Black Box was presented and brought out was very interesting and the story itself was told in a unique manner, gripping my interest.
A very interesting and thought provoking read.
August 10, 2022
I was recommended this book and was super skeptical about reading it. I’m not one for politics. As in I hate politics. But this is a well written, quick read that kept me engaged. So DO NOT judge this book by my star review alone, because as I just said me and politics do not mesh.
This book is very well written, and wasn’t completely about politics. It was more about how the Black Box could, would and did effect the campaigning and voting process. It’s was actually really interesting to read the author’s unique and creative back and forth between the politicians and their parties. How the story unfolds and how it ultimately ends up.
I was entertained and captivated by the the was the author was able to describe a campaign from start to finish and with how the people reacted to the change in the process. The characters are well written, both unpredictable and yet absolutely predictable at times. I was definitely not expecting the ending/outcome and ended up being pleasantly surprised by it.
I look forward to reading other works by Al James in the future, I hope at least a few of you reading this review give this a try and like it at least as much as I did. Although my rating isn’t super high, that is due more towards my own feelings on the subject matter than the actual writing. I DO recommend this book for those that enjoy the details of politics and would like to read a bit of a psychological experiment involving a race for the Prime Minister position.
This book is very well written, and wasn’t completely about politics. It was more about how the Black Box could, would and did effect the campaigning and voting process. It’s was actually really interesting to read the author’s unique and creative back and forth between the politicians and their parties. How the story unfolds and how it ultimately ends up.
I was entertained and captivated by the the was the author was able to describe a campaign from start to finish and with how the people reacted to the change in the process. The characters are well written, both unpredictable and yet absolutely predictable at times. I was definitely not expecting the ending/outcome and ended up being pleasantly surprised by it.
I look forward to reading other works by Al James in the future, I hope at least a few of you reading this review give this a try and like it at least as much as I did. Although my rating isn’t super high, that is due more towards my own feelings on the subject matter than the actual writing. I DO recommend this book for those that enjoy the details of politics and would like to read a bit of a psychological experiment involving a race for the Prime Minister position.
August 19, 2022
In this dystopian world, you get to be a part of a politically charged race. The world is on opposing ends as to who will be the rightful Prime Minister.
Oliver Sharpe, the current Prime Minister, is on the precipice of changing the political voting rules. After being shoved into office on short notice, he has taken on the job of fixing corruption. Will he be able to do it?
Enter Amanda King, Mo Hart & Zoe Fellows. All of these characters make this story even more exciting, daring and one of kind!
A book full twists and turns, rebellion, political advances and edge of your seat writing. Who will rightfully when this election and become the next Prime Minister?!
This genre is not one that I normally read or post about, but I would read this book over again. A quick read and extremely well thought out. I loved the characters and the writing. I would definitely recommend Black Box by Al James !!
August 11, 2022
This is very very skilfully written and is a clear look at what could happen if you give democracy over to technology. It's written in a very news reader or modern historian style, which fits the subject: and although it is set 100 years in the future, the politicians and their posturings are instantly recognisable. I add the quote below which I felt was valid for us all. In short a great book.
Democracy is about listening to everyone, and not just those who shout the loudest. That’s not to say that those who shout the loudest shouldn’t have their say. Just because someone is so strongly emotionally attached to a political party that they are never willing to change their mind, it does not negate their right to have their voice heard.
Democracy is about listening to everyone, and not just those who shout the loudest. That’s not to say that those who shout the loudest shouldn’t have their say. Just because someone is so strongly emotionally attached to a political party that they are never willing to change their mind, it does not negate their right to have their voice heard.
August 7, 2022
Interesting concept, rather than physically putting an X in the box to vote, an algorithm determines people’s voting intentions from their data. The novel makes all the political to-ing and fro-ing in the lead up to the election day engaging, and the final outcome is interesting. A useful thought experiment into what would happen, and it also poses the question of to which extent to algorithms already play in elections today. Well worth a read if you enjoy political novels.
August 8, 2022
if u love politics and Downing Street. this book is for you!
This is a story that is both well written and interesting. If you have a passion for politics, you will find this book to be a page-turner. And If you are looking for a quick read to pass the time during a night in with interesting characters this book is definitely for u. 5*
This is a story that is both well written and interesting. If you have a passion for politics, you will find this book to be a page-turner. And If you are looking for a quick read to pass the time during a night in with interesting characters this book is definitely for u. 5*
August 16, 2022
Five Stars:
Black Box is a book surrounding technology and the future of democracy and I was scared to pick up this book and genre because it was a seemingly dry topic but the Author caught my interest with this interesting book and a different style of narration with no dialogues.
Kudos and I would say that it was definitely a brave attempt!!!
Black Box is a book surrounding technology and the future of democracy and I was scared to pick up this book and genre because it was a seemingly dry topic but the Author caught my interest with this interesting book and a different style of narration with no dialogues.
Kudos and I would say that it was definitely a brave attempt!!!
August 11, 2022
This is very well written. It keeps you intrigued in the process of an election, with realistic events, characters, and interactions. It gives a good perspective of what a possible "digital election," could look like. A must read in relating to what's going on politically today.
August 19, 2022
I am not a person that has a lot of political knowledge but this was a good read!
Such an interesting idea about where we could possibly go with technology and voting!
Very well written.
Such an interesting idea about where we could possibly go with technology and voting!
Very well written.
September 13, 2022
This is an engaging book.
a futuristic look at how things could unfold.
If you have an interest in politics this is a book that should peak your interest.
a futuristic look at how things could unfold.
If you have an interest in politics this is a book that should peak your interest.
August 12, 2022
A well written and interesting story. A political plot with twists and turns engaging the reader right up to election day, with an interesting final outcome. The author has developed the characters well, which makes it an enjoyable read, despite being about the complexity of modern politics.
December 20, 2022
This was a ☆☆☆☆.75 read!
I absolutely loved the writing, it never got boring and it was SO INTERESTING.
It's about the end of the 21st century and how the UK tried a democratic experiment. And how it's already in the title of it, it's about black box and how digital elections would look like. I honestly didn't expect that I'd love this so much but it definitely is outstanding and a genre I usually don't read and neither are politics something I'm interested in but it's a big W O W! I think everyone should take some time for this because It's something out of this world 💯 The ending was a 10/10 and there was also my favorite quote--> "democracy is about listening to everyone and not just those who shout the loudest. That's not to say that those who shout the loudest shouldn't have their say. Just because someone is so strongly emotionally attached to a political party that they are never willing to change their mind, it does not negate their right to have their voice heard. " and I genuinely think everyone should read this at least once!
I absolutely loved the writing, it never got boring and it was SO INTERESTING.
It's about the end of the 21st century and how the UK tried a democratic experiment. And how it's already in the title of it, it's about black box and how digital elections would look like. I honestly didn't expect that I'd love this so much but it definitely is outstanding and a genre I usually don't read and neither are politics something I'm interested in but it's a big W O W! I think everyone should take some time for this because It's something out of this world 💯 The ending was a 10/10 and there was also my favorite quote--> "democracy is about listening to everyone and not just those who shout the loudest. That's not to say that those who shout the loudest shouldn't have their say. Just because someone is so strongly emotionally attached to a political party that they are never willing to change their mind, it does not negate their right to have their voice heard. " and I genuinely think everyone should read this at least once!
October 30, 2022
Interesting Take on Politics
This isn't a book I would normally read as I am not into political books. But this one was interesting and if you do enjoy politics, this would be a perfect read for you.
Thinking of a box that can basically read your mind is quite creepy. Interesting but creepy. It's like FB ads reading what you search for and then showing you ads about them.
I do have to say that the author did a remarkable job writing the book. So again if you like to read creepy political book, here is one for you.
This isn't a book I would normally read as I am not into political books. But this one was interesting and if you do enjoy politics, this would be a perfect read for you.
Thinking of a box that can basically read your mind is quite creepy. Interesting but creepy. It's like FB ads reading what you search for and then showing you ads about them.
I do have to say that the author did a remarkable job writing the book. So again if you like to read creepy political book, here is one for you.
September 4, 2022
I have to confess, I don’t normally buy books which seem to be about politics. In this instance, however, I’m inordinately happy to have done so, as this book has a great deal going for it.
First off: this is a book written as a “future history” book, detailing as if written by an academic or a researcher. In that respect, it is occasionally dry, and you will never get a “he thought, she thought” insight into the characters. If that’s a turn-off, then turn off, as it were, but I encourage you not to, as what you’ll find is a book still brimming with fascinating and honestly deep characters.
As a book concerning the politics of an election in a high-tech age (the end of the 21st century), this book does very well in setting up a familiar and yet different picture of Britain. While initially I found the two “main” parties to be a little bluntly named (“Unitians” and “Federalists”), they are actually an interesting speculative evolution of Britain’s current parties, with similarities and differences that reflect both the modern day and the potential of the future in a way that fits with the best of speculative fiction tradition, without at any point settling into politically charged rhetoric that makes two-dimensional analogues of its cast. Oliver Sharpe is not a stand-in for Boris Johnson, nor even Theresa May, nor is Amanda King a stand-in for Keir Starmer. In being unique characters with their own failing and foibles, both characters serve the story well and are more interesting for it. It’s also interesting to see smaller parties with such character as the Socratic and Liberal Anarchist parties, and with such interesting leaders as Mo Hart and Zoe Fellows to give them a unique character and a believable arc. I also enjoy some of the ancillary characters - including Paul Isaacs, a prominent interviewer, and Mike Barker, the tech editor of an online news outlet.
Of course, no work is perfect, and a couple of points stuck out for me. While I’m not one to decry a work for lack of diversity if the lack thereof doesn’t make a difference to the story, the names of most, if not all, of the characters seem to be somewhat Eurocentric, which seems a missed opportunity in an age of increasing representation in our existing parties - even the Conservatives! - of people from different ethnic backgrounds. That being said, this does not detract from any of the characters or the story being told, though it does make one wonder if other stories exploring this time period would explore issues related to modern political issues, including the state of race relations and the long-term impact of events like Brexit. Then again, like much timeless speculative fiction, perhaps it is better to steer clear of direct references and direct parallels.
Another issue that stuck out for me is the ending. Without spoiling anything, I ponder if it is hard hitting enough, or possibly anticlimactic. That being said, the very tone of this book aims for a relaying of historical fact, and in hindsight much of history seems anticlimactic by its very nature. In this, the story’s ending might be the most realistic thing about it. I do have to give special kudos to one last-minute revelation, but I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll let you hit that.
This is not a book in a style that I would ordinarily choose, and in that respect it’s perhaps one of the most unique I’ve read in a long time. I definitely recommend you give it a go!
First off: this is a book written as a “future history” book, detailing as if written by an academic or a researcher. In that respect, it is occasionally dry, and you will never get a “he thought, she thought” insight into the characters. If that’s a turn-off, then turn off, as it were, but I encourage you not to, as what you’ll find is a book still brimming with fascinating and honestly deep characters.
As a book concerning the politics of an election in a high-tech age (the end of the 21st century), this book does very well in setting up a familiar and yet different picture of Britain. While initially I found the two “main” parties to be a little bluntly named (“Unitians” and “Federalists”), they are actually an interesting speculative evolution of Britain’s current parties, with similarities and differences that reflect both the modern day and the potential of the future in a way that fits with the best of speculative fiction tradition, without at any point settling into politically charged rhetoric that makes two-dimensional analogues of its cast. Oliver Sharpe is not a stand-in for Boris Johnson, nor even Theresa May, nor is Amanda King a stand-in for Keir Starmer. In being unique characters with their own failing and foibles, both characters serve the story well and are more interesting for it. It’s also interesting to see smaller parties with such character as the Socratic and Liberal Anarchist parties, and with such interesting leaders as Mo Hart and Zoe Fellows to give them a unique character and a believable arc. I also enjoy some of the ancillary characters - including Paul Isaacs, a prominent interviewer, and Mike Barker, the tech editor of an online news outlet.
Of course, no work is perfect, and a couple of points stuck out for me. While I’m not one to decry a work for lack of diversity if the lack thereof doesn’t make a difference to the story, the names of most, if not all, of the characters seem to be somewhat Eurocentric, which seems a missed opportunity in an age of increasing representation in our existing parties - even the Conservatives! - of people from different ethnic backgrounds. That being said, this does not detract from any of the characters or the story being told, though it does make one wonder if other stories exploring this time period would explore issues related to modern political issues, including the state of race relations and the long-term impact of events like Brexit. Then again, like much timeless speculative fiction, perhaps it is better to steer clear of direct references and direct parallels.
Another issue that stuck out for me is the ending. Without spoiling anything, I ponder if it is hard hitting enough, or possibly anticlimactic. That being said, the very tone of this book aims for a relaying of historical fact, and in hindsight much of history seems anticlimactic by its very nature. In this, the story’s ending might be the most realistic thing about it. I do have to give special kudos to one last-minute revelation, but I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll let you hit that.
This is not a book in a style that I would ordinarily choose, and in that respect it’s perhaps one of the most unique I’ve read in a long time. I definitely recommend you give it a go!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2022
I enjoyed this book but I also enjoy politics. For someone who does not follow politics and/or has little interest in them, I think this book may be a tad dry for you. But I thought it was a great concept and really makes you consider the possible outcomes if something like this were to actually happen in society.
This book takes place about 80 years into the future, in the UK. I am only a little knowledgeable with the structure of the English political system, but I think I knew enough to get me through. Although, the 4 political parties in the book are completely fictional.
The basic premise: the leader, Oliver Sharpe, of a prominent yet struggling political party (which holds the majority) introduces a new election system called Black Box, which uses an algorithm to decide your vote. There is no more going to the ballot box and penciling in your vote. Rather, you must get out and voice your opinion online and publically, in order for your vote to be cast. No mics hidden in public - so this along with many other factors raised questions. There are so many things that can go wrong and do go wrong with this style of system. The 4 political parties ask for transparency about the mechanics of Black Box so they can get a clearer idea of how it works bc they want to make sure that their constituents are being properly represented. BUT Apollo, the company who is in charge of creating and managing Black Box, thinks the info they have provided about Black Box is sufficient- but it’s vague at best. They think they have the right to keep the information from the public. “Our collective decision is that the only level of transparency which is appropriate is for us to confirm or deny prominent theories, and therefore stamp out misinformation which is currently affecting the validity of the process. This is the only transparency we will be providing today.’”
They are “committed to uphold the political process” which is laughable!
One of Black Box’s creators’ name is Orwell which I think it’s fitting, considering the Orwellian vibe this story provides. With such a system there’s too great a margin of error to trust that your vote is not only being appropriated to the correct party, BUT also that your vote is being counted at all. It’s the perfect way to rig elections and implement full control! Perhaps not in the first few elections, but it can and will be manipulated for this purpose in the future. Especially with Apollo being so uncooperative about sharing info about the inner workings of the system! I was happy to see that 3 of the 4 parties never fully supported the system. And 1 in particular protested - and interestingly many of their votes weren’t counted! So to me that mean “fall in line or your voice isn’t heard”. I personally would have like to see Black Box completely dismantled- but like typical politicians promises are made but they will “keep an open mind”. So the door is still left wide open.
All in all, this book made me think! That was political discussions should do. Bravo to the author for providing 4 very different perspectives for me to consider.
This book takes place about 80 years into the future, in the UK. I am only a little knowledgeable with the structure of the English political system, but I think I knew enough to get me through. Although, the 4 political parties in the book are completely fictional.
The basic premise: the leader, Oliver Sharpe, of a prominent yet struggling political party (which holds the majority) introduces a new election system called Black Box, which uses an algorithm to decide your vote. There is no more going to the ballot box and penciling in your vote. Rather, you must get out and voice your opinion online and publically, in order for your vote to be cast. No mics hidden in public - so this along with many other factors raised questions. There are so many things that can go wrong and do go wrong with this style of system. The 4 political parties ask for transparency about the mechanics of Black Box so they can get a clearer idea of how it works bc they want to make sure that their constituents are being properly represented. BUT Apollo, the company who is in charge of creating and managing Black Box, thinks the info they have provided about Black Box is sufficient- but it’s vague at best. They think they have the right to keep the information from the public. “Our collective decision is that the only level of transparency which is appropriate is for us to confirm or deny prominent theories, and therefore stamp out misinformation which is currently affecting the validity of the process. This is the only transparency we will be providing today.’”
They are “committed to uphold the political process” which is laughable!
One of Black Box’s creators’ name is Orwell which I think it’s fitting, considering the Orwellian vibe this story provides. With such a system there’s too great a margin of error to trust that your vote is not only being appropriated to the correct party, BUT also that your vote is being counted at all. It’s the perfect way to rig elections and implement full control! Perhaps not in the first few elections, but it can and will be manipulated for this purpose in the future. Especially with Apollo being so uncooperative about sharing info about the inner workings of the system! I was happy to see that 3 of the 4 parties never fully supported the system. And 1 in particular protested - and interestingly many of their votes weren’t counted! So to me that mean “fall in line or your voice isn’t heard”. I personally would have like to see Black Box completely dismantled- but like typical politicians promises are made but they will “keep an open mind”. So the door is still left wide open.
All in all, this book made me think! That was political discussions should do. Bravo to the author for providing 4 very different perspectives for me to consider.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2023
This book grew on me once I set aside my initial expectations after the first two chapters.
The story reads almost like a history although the book's setting is quite far out in the future. An omnicient narrator walks us through roughly 90 days leading up to an election in England.
I've characterized this to myself as a "political thought experiment."
The core idea is that an election will be run for the first time not by people voting but by expressing their opinions. They do so in part (and perhaps primarily) through social media but also in various other ways, including paper flyers.
The "Black Box" is an algorithm that analyzes the voter sentiment over this 90 days or so and decides how many seats should be allocated to one of four major parties and independents.
It sets up this scenario in the first dozen or so pages and then proceeds to narrate the next 90 days as an omnicient after-the-fact voice. It delves into each of the major parties, how they embrace or refuse the Black Box, intrigue around the Box's algorithm and various groups' attempts to game the system.
I don't normally read stuff like this but I found it very interesting! It's an interesting take on an oldish idea - outsourcing elections to a computer. I've been reading stories like that since the 1980's. This time it feels much more possible (sadly) although (thankfully) there's no political will do something like that. But the idea is solid and execution is pretty good.
I am not a student of British politics. Far from it, I'm the most casual of casual observers so I can't speak to the authenticity of any of it, but I am a computer scientist and I found the bits of information tha focuses ont he Box and its algorithm to be more plausiblel than I would like.
It's a pretty fast read. My complaint is that it could be even faster. I found myself scanning through things at one point - too many people, too many political parties and too few personal connections for me to make with them or the characters in the book. However, if you're into English politics, you may appreciate it more that I did.
Despite what felt like a bit too much text, I was caught up in the drama of - who will win??? So good job, Mr. James. You got me hooked to the end :)
I look forward to Mr. James' next book!
The story reads almost like a history although the book's setting is quite far out in the future. An omnicient narrator walks us through roughly 90 days leading up to an election in England.
I've characterized this to myself as a "political thought experiment."
The core idea is that an election will be run for the first time not by people voting but by expressing their opinions. They do so in part (and perhaps primarily) through social media but also in various other ways, including paper flyers.
The "Black Box" is an algorithm that analyzes the voter sentiment over this 90 days or so and decides how many seats should be allocated to one of four major parties and independents.
It sets up this scenario in the first dozen or so pages and then proceeds to narrate the next 90 days as an omnicient after-the-fact voice. It delves into each of the major parties, how they embrace or refuse the Black Box, intrigue around the Box's algorithm and various groups' attempts to game the system.
I don't normally read stuff like this but I found it very interesting! It's an interesting take on an oldish idea - outsourcing elections to a computer. I've been reading stories like that since the 1980's. This time it feels much more possible (sadly) although (thankfully) there's no political will do something like that. But the idea is solid and execution is pretty good.
I am not a student of British politics. Far from it, I'm the most casual of casual observers so I can't speak to the authenticity of any of it, but I am a computer scientist and I found the bits of information tha focuses ont he Box and its algorithm to be more plausiblel than I would like.
It's a pretty fast read. My complaint is that it could be even faster. I found myself scanning through things at one point - too many people, too many political parties and too few personal connections for me to make with them or the characters in the book. However, if you're into English politics, you may appreciate it more that I did.
Despite what felt like a bit too much text, I was caught up in the drama of - who will win??? So good job, Mr. James. You got me hooked to the end :)
I look forward to Mr. James' next book!
October 4, 2022
Disclaimer: Al James reached out to me and offered a copy of this novella in exchange for a review. This is my honest review.
Rating: 3/5⭐️
Set in 2098, Black Box is a story of politics, technology, and the opinions of those affected by both. Just before the election of 2098, Oliver Sharpe, current Prime Minister, announces that Britain will be doing away with the traditional paper and pencil voting system. Instead, the people of Britain’s votes will be counted by Black Box, an algorithm developed by tech giant, Apollo. Black Box will track the political opinions individuals share online and in public spaces, policy by policy, and cast their vote towards the politician their views align with best. But, politicians rarely agree on anything. How will Black Box be perceived by the public? And how will it affect the future of elections as we know them to be?
I do not want you to see my star rating and immediately be turned off by it. I think there were a few things that kept me from enjoying this novella as much as I wish I had. One, I’m from the US, so the British politics were a little confusing to me. Second, this novella is written more, as I would say, a textbook or research paper rather than a novel. Again, none of that is bad. If I wasn’t currently in grad school and using reading as a form of escapism, I don’t think the format of this novel would have affected me that much. Third, I’m not normally a politics person. The story is definitely there. It is clear that Al James is a fantastic writer with equally fantastic ideas. I just don’t think this novel was for me. I am interested to see what else Al James comes out with! If you like politics, especially foreign politics if you’re from the US, as well as novels that get straight to the point, I would recommend Black Box!
Rating: 3/5⭐️
Set in 2098, Black Box is a story of politics, technology, and the opinions of those affected by both. Just before the election of 2098, Oliver Sharpe, current Prime Minister, announces that Britain will be doing away with the traditional paper and pencil voting system. Instead, the people of Britain’s votes will be counted by Black Box, an algorithm developed by tech giant, Apollo. Black Box will track the political opinions individuals share online and in public spaces, policy by policy, and cast their vote towards the politician their views align with best. But, politicians rarely agree on anything. How will Black Box be perceived by the public? And how will it affect the future of elections as we know them to be?
I do not want you to see my star rating and immediately be turned off by it. I think there were a few things that kept me from enjoying this novella as much as I wish I had. One, I’m from the US, so the British politics were a little confusing to me. Second, this novella is written more, as I would say, a textbook or research paper rather than a novel. Again, none of that is bad. If I wasn’t currently in grad school and using reading as a form of escapism, I don’t think the format of this novel would have affected me that much. Third, I’m not normally a politics person. The story is definitely there. It is clear that Al James is a fantastic writer with equally fantastic ideas. I just don’t think this novel was for me. I am interested to see what else Al James comes out with! If you like politics, especially foreign politics if you’re from the US, as well as novels that get straight to the point, I would recommend Black Box!
June 11, 2023
I am disappointed that it took quite some time for me to get through this book. Until page 195, I simply could not muster much interest; although I did eventually find myself intrigued. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the novel is only a total of 251 pages.
“Black Box” reads like a fact sheet, highlighting fictional political events, press conferences, statistics, names, dates and some opinions regarding a future election taking place in the United Kingdom, in the year 2098.
In an attempt to stop rampant election corruption in the United Kingdom, the current Prime Minister, Oliver Sharpe introduces a mysterious electronic Black Box into the voting process. This device uses a classified algorithm to sort through all of the Parliament Election votes and ensures that the winners ultimately elected are an accurate reflection of the voting public’s’ wishes.
The Black Box device determines votes of the people in a truly unique way. It searches the Internet for voter feedback on each of the candidates, and systematically manipulates the election results on behalf of the populous. The Black Box effectively plugs any system cracks where corruption can infiltrate and supercede the wishes of the people. Consequently, the new method of ‘voting’, as sanctioned by Prime Minister Sharpe, is for each individual to be as vocal as possible on the Internet about their views and opinions on the different candidates. Public information regarding the inner workings and functions of the mysterious Black Box is extremely limited, in an effort to prevent hacking or device manipulation. As one can imagine, this change in election policy and procedure brings about a great deal of public support, but also causes complete confusion, protest and rebellion throughout the UK.
The writing style of this author results in a read that is closer to the feel of a textbook, than to a novel. The straight-facts approach to the writing leaves me yearning for character development and an intriguing plot, and simply does not appeal to me.
As I previously mentioned, the story does actually pick up toward the end, but the long and complicated build-up to when the plot finally takes hold, is very arduous. On the flip side, this is a very interesting look at using Artificial Intelligence to solve the issue of election corruption.
Theoretically, the Black Box takes over the election process to avoid any ballot tampering. But is that it's only use?? Who’s to say the creators of the Black Box and its biggest supporter, Oliver Sharpe, haven’t found a way to influence the algorithm in their favor? This, and many other questions, are explored in this book. If you enjoy reading about fictional politics without relying on a plot and/or character development, then “Black Box” will surely be an extremely fascinating read for you.
“Black Box” reads like a fact sheet, highlighting fictional political events, press conferences, statistics, names, dates and some opinions regarding a future election taking place in the United Kingdom, in the year 2098.
In an attempt to stop rampant election corruption in the United Kingdom, the current Prime Minister, Oliver Sharpe introduces a mysterious electronic Black Box into the voting process. This device uses a classified algorithm to sort through all of the Parliament Election votes and ensures that the winners ultimately elected are an accurate reflection of the voting public’s’ wishes.
The Black Box device determines votes of the people in a truly unique way. It searches the Internet for voter feedback on each of the candidates, and systematically manipulates the election results on behalf of the populous. The Black Box effectively plugs any system cracks where corruption can infiltrate and supercede the wishes of the people. Consequently, the new method of ‘voting’, as sanctioned by Prime Minister Sharpe, is for each individual to be as vocal as possible on the Internet about their views and opinions on the different candidates. Public information regarding the inner workings and functions of the mysterious Black Box is extremely limited, in an effort to prevent hacking or device manipulation. As one can imagine, this change in election policy and procedure brings about a great deal of public support, but also causes complete confusion, protest and rebellion throughout the UK.
The writing style of this author results in a read that is closer to the feel of a textbook, than to a novel. The straight-facts approach to the writing leaves me yearning for character development and an intriguing plot, and simply does not appeal to me.
As I previously mentioned, the story does actually pick up toward the end, but the long and complicated build-up to when the plot finally takes hold, is very arduous. On the flip side, this is a very interesting look at using Artificial Intelligence to solve the issue of election corruption.
Theoretically, the Black Box takes over the election process to avoid any ballot tampering. But is that it's only use?? Who’s to say the creators of the Black Box and its biggest supporter, Oliver Sharpe, haven’t found a way to influence the algorithm in their favor? This, and many other questions, are explored in this book. If you enjoy reading about fictional politics without relying on a plot and/or character development, then “Black Box” will surely be an extremely fascinating read for you.
September 17, 2022
A book that is a bit out of my normal reading pool.
A lot of thought has been put into writing this book. Challenging getting into the flow as its phrased technically differently, but in a way that is beautifully intentional instead of forced. So nothing I can hold against this book.
The concept of the black box seems very realistic and could even be some thing we see sooner in reality, especially with less elligible voters actually voting. Thus far it almost reads as a Journalistic article, which would be very fitting and not the detracting from the narrative.
Following along with the countdown to election day is a great touch, that helps readers engage more with quite a complex narrative.
Halfway through the plot picks up some speed and engages the reader significantly more.
Now I can positively say it took me far longer than it should have to read this book, I struggled to focus at times and can't say I'd recommend for anyone working 24 hour shifts. But it is a worthwhile read if you have a patient for politics, potential futures and can get through the dryness of it. I am not the target demographic necessarily for this book but I can appreciate how well it is written and the very interesting premise it presents.
A lot of thought has been put into writing this book. Challenging getting into the flow as its phrased technically differently, but in a way that is beautifully intentional instead of forced. So nothing I can hold against this book.
The concept of the black box seems very realistic and could even be some thing we see sooner in reality, especially with less elligible voters actually voting. Thus far it almost reads as a Journalistic article, which would be very fitting and not the detracting from the narrative.
Following along with the countdown to election day is a great touch, that helps readers engage more with quite a complex narrative.
Halfway through the plot picks up some speed and engages the reader significantly more.
Now I can positively say it took me far longer than it should have to read this book, I struggled to focus at times and can't say I'd recommend for anyone working 24 hour shifts. But it is a worthwhile read if you have a patient for politics, potential futures and can get through the dryness of it. I am not the target demographic necessarily for this book but I can appreciate how well it is written and the very interesting premise it presents.
September 20, 2022
Black Box was certainly a step outside my typical wheelhouse. Versus my normal thriller or contemporary fiction, Black Box previews a world in the not so distant future where England's election for the Primer Minister is run solely on a digital platform. I really enjoyed the concept of this novel and it seems to be an eerie peek into the what the world of politics could look like in the span of the next 60+ years.
James does a nice job of setting the stage for the premise of his novel, running through a detailed timeline of the election from beginning to end. He offered a wide variety of characters with unique and distinct personalities. I felt the story tracked different political views and the country's overall shift in feelings as Black Box became a dominant part in their everyday lives.
The end of the book was certainly surprising and I was interested in the twists provided toward the end of the storyline. My rating of 3 stars is similar to the reasoning of several others; I thought the novel concept and writing was well done, but the topic isn't my typically preferred genre. I look forward to seeing what other work this author comes out with in the future!
James does a nice job of setting the stage for the premise of his novel, running through a detailed timeline of the election from beginning to end. He offered a wide variety of characters with unique and distinct personalities. I felt the story tracked different political views and the country's overall shift in feelings as Black Box became a dominant part in their everyday lives.
The end of the book was certainly surprising and I was interested in the twists provided toward the end of the storyline. My rating of 3 stars is similar to the reasoning of several others; I thought the novel concept and writing was well done, but the topic isn't my typically preferred genre. I look forward to seeing what other work this author comes out with in the future!
September 30, 2022
Let me start out by saying that the author of this book is clearly an excellent writer with very clever ideas, but i just find politics to be very boring and not something i enjoy reading. If you enjoy politics, this will likely be yiur favorite book this year. With that said, Al James did make it a bit more interesting, but it was still politics.
I was expecting more sci fi but this was pretty solid politics. I did respect the pov and narrator choice, it was very interesting and fitting for the type of book that it was not told by a character but written more like a historical textbook almost.
The parties, their stances, their leaders personalities and the way black box changed the election process was quite creative, but without interest in this subject it was hard to get through. I think the book also really would have benefitted from another round of editing or arc readers. As i said its extremely well written from someone who is clearly very talented, but now and then a word was missing from a sentence and i had to stop to figure it out.
If this author decided to write purely sci fi i would 100% read it, this book just wasnt up my alley.
I was expecting more sci fi but this was pretty solid politics. I did respect the pov and narrator choice, it was very interesting and fitting for the type of book that it was not told by a character but written more like a historical textbook almost.
The parties, their stances, their leaders personalities and the way black box changed the election process was quite creative, but without interest in this subject it was hard to get through. I think the book also really would have benefitted from another round of editing or arc readers. As i said its extremely well written from someone who is clearly very talented, but now and then a word was missing from a sentence and i had to stop to figure it out.
If this author decided to write purely sci fi i would 100% read it, this book just wasnt up my alley.
September 30, 2022
What if the winner of an election was determined by the algorithm or an AI? Well, that is what "Black Box" explores. Set in the not so distant future of 2098 in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Oliver Sharpe announces that the upcoming election will take place digitally via Apollo's Black Box algorithm. This book explores the interesting "what if" that many are curious about as technology continues to adapt.
I'll be the first to admit that this book pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I typically read a lot of romance (or smut) and no basically nothing about politics in the UK. In an effort to get out of my reading comfort zone, I found this book. This book had me thinking about the world in a different way and it was an enjoyable journey.
It would help to have some knowledge of the UK government structure to help you with this read because I do not and think there are some nuances that I missed throughout the book because of it. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to think about how technology continues to shape our lives and how it could shape our futures.
I'll be the first to admit that this book pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I typically read a lot of romance (or smut) and no basically nothing about politics in the UK. In an effort to get out of my reading comfort zone, I found this book. This book had me thinking about the world in a different way and it was an enjoyable journey.
It would help to have some knowledge of the UK government structure to help you with this read because I do not and think there are some nuances that I missed throughout the book because of it. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to think about how technology continues to shape our lives and how it could shape our futures.
September 15, 2022
Great read!
It’s outside my usual genre but the political back-and-forth hooked me. Four political parties have to deal with a massive curve ball in the race to become the leading party. A mysterious algorithm called Black Box has been chosen to determine the outcome of the upcoming elections. No more pen & paper voting, Black Box will evaluate your vote based on your social media presence.
A genuinely horrifying concept for anyone familiar with social media spaces. Made even worse when no one comes forward to explain how Black Box actually works.
The verbal jousting and deftly dodging of the main party members plays just as they would in reality. Complete with non-apologies, backtracks on previous statements, desperate attempts to persuade the public that a lack of information is a good thing and definitely will not have serious repercussions at all.
If you enjoy speculative fiction mixed with the politics of today, this is something you should get your hands on!
It’s outside my usual genre but the political back-and-forth hooked me. Four political parties have to deal with a massive curve ball in the race to become the leading party. A mysterious algorithm called Black Box has been chosen to determine the outcome of the upcoming elections. No more pen & paper voting, Black Box will evaluate your vote based on your social media presence.
A genuinely horrifying concept for anyone familiar with social media spaces. Made even worse when no one comes forward to explain how Black Box actually works.
The verbal jousting and deftly dodging of the main party members plays just as they would in reality. Complete with non-apologies, backtracks on previous statements, desperate attempts to persuade the public that a lack of information is a good thing and definitely will not have serious repercussions at all.
If you enjoy speculative fiction mixed with the politics of today, this is something you should get your hands on!
September 19, 2022
•BLACK BOX•
“Opinions shrieked and jostled for position, a cacophony of feelings bellowing over the sound of individual judgements. Each pixel on a screen implied a swelling volume of rage, of trust, or of ennui.”
Black Box by Al James is an intelligently written novella discussing a form of political election using an algorithm calculated by the public political views displayed. “A data-driven dystopia.” “Democracy by algorithm.” The book tells a story from the campaign to Election Day of the actions of the political party leaders. Many leaders, as you can imagine, prefer the old-school way of pencil and paper election, rather than a system scanning your social media presence to calculate your vote. Many problems come along with a digital election, per say, like voter intimidation and misinformation. Black Box is an idea that, in my opinion is likely much closer to the present than the base of this story in 2098.
“Opinions shrieked and jostled for position, a cacophony of feelings bellowing over the sound of individual judgements. Each pixel on a screen implied a swelling volume of rage, of trust, or of ennui.”
Black Box by Al James is an intelligently written novella discussing a form of political election using an algorithm calculated by the public political views displayed. “A data-driven dystopia.” “Democracy by algorithm.” The book tells a story from the campaign to Election Day of the actions of the political party leaders. Many leaders, as you can imagine, prefer the old-school way of pencil and paper election, rather than a system scanning your social media presence to calculate your vote. Many problems come along with a digital election, per say, like voter intimidation and misinformation. Black Box is an idea that, in my opinion is likely much closer to the present than the base of this story in 2098.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
I recently finished Black Box by Al James, and I just have to say that this book is a thinker. After finishing, I took some time to collect my thoughts for a review.
To start off, this book is something that I wouldn't normally read. I don't usually enjoy dystopian books that are hyper-realistic. And that is exactly what Black Box is. Black Box takes on politics in the year 2098. The book almost reads like a political review of the current-day election. The writing style is very much like reading a news article or case study. Including quotes from the political candidates, and third-party opinions of what is taking place within the election. The writing is also more complex and complicated than in many other books.
I highly recommend giving reading Black Box if you enjoy a "dystopian" political book, that mirrors modern-day society.
To start off, this book is something that I wouldn't normally read. I don't usually enjoy dystopian books that are hyper-realistic. And that is exactly what Black Box is. Black Box takes on politics in the year 2098. The book almost reads like a political review of the current-day election. The writing style is very much like reading a news article or case study. Including quotes from the political candidates, and third-party opinions of what is taking place within the election. The writing is also more complex and complicated than in many other books.
I highly recommend giving reading Black Box if you enjoy a "dystopian" political book, that mirrors modern-day society.
September 15, 2022
I was rather skeptical when starting this books as I am no fan of politics or political affiliations etc. This book is very well written & was more about how the Black Box would and ultimately did affect a political campaign.
I enjoyed how the author wrote from different perspectives of the politicians and the different parties. It was very different, in a good way, to read a campaign from beginning to end. The ending came as a surprise and I genuinely couldn’t have predicted it.
I honestly think it was a great take on how our world could end up, how AI could use voter behaviour online to predict voter turnout/voting patterns could genuinely be something that happens in a not so distant future. Overall was enjoyable and would recommend to anyone who really enjoys politics and in a way a psychological thriller in a political environment.
September 11, 2022
Political drama
I was asked to read and review Black Box by Al James (although did purchase it myself).
This book is a political drama, and is well written. It is futuristic and present at the same time.
The story focuses on an election, the parties involved, a new way of voting, and the outcome.
I like the idea of the story, and the author writes well.
I gave it only 3 stars as, not having an interest in politics, I found it difficult to keep up with the characters, the parties to whom they belonged, and their views. I also found it didn't hold my interest because of it not being 'my genre'.
I'm sure readers with a more political mind than mine, will enjoy it thoroughly.
I was asked to read and review Black Box by Al James (although did purchase it myself).
This book is a political drama, and is well written. It is futuristic and present at the same time.
The story focuses on an election, the parties involved, a new way of voting, and the outcome.
I like the idea of the story, and the author writes well.
I gave it only 3 stars as, not having an interest in politics, I found it difficult to keep up with the characters, the parties to whom they belonged, and their views. I also found it didn't hold my interest because of it not being 'my genre'.
I'm sure readers with a more political mind than mine, will enjoy it thoroughly.
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