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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
If there ever was a book that fully convicts us in the digital age, it is Followers.
After all, many of us wonder where this world will end up going. Will we ever tire of influencers and reality stars and all the uber-made-up stars pumping us full of products that "totally work"? And if all of our pseudo-privacy is taken away and our dirty secrets exposed, how will we handle it?
Wow.
Floss is the sort of Insta-star people wonder 'what is your actual job'? I know I do. And at what cost are they famous? She is every fame-hungry internet star who is willing step on everyone else to get to her fame. While Angelo writes tongue-in-cheek at times, mocking our love of ridiculous publicity stunts that we know are fake but love to treat as if they are real. She is one heck of a manipulator, and while it's easy to hate her, I don't think she's entirely bad. Or, at least, she has help, perhaps.
Orla is the retiring friend who doesn't think other people will step on her to get to their fame. She has her share of shameful moments as well, of moments when she doesn't think she'll hurt anyone ... but. There's always a but.
Followers brings to life where we are now (2015/2016) and where the future will be (2051). It is a commentary of the digital age, of our online obsessions, of the things we believe are private about ourselves ... of all the truths we hold carefully, only to find out that we're just one step away from the entire world knowing - or, perhaps, more than the entire world watching us, just those who didn't want to know our deepest secrets. It certainly made me question the devices I use and all the things I've already put out into the inter-webs ... I already know my phone listens to me, so ...
After all, isn't it most important to have followers believing in the fake-reality of our online lives?
After all, many of us wonder where this world will end up going. Will we ever tire of influencers and reality stars and all the uber-made-up stars pumping us full of products that "totally work"? And if all of our pseudo-privacy is taken away and our dirty secrets exposed, how will we handle it?
Wow.
Floss is the sort of Insta-star people wonder 'what is your actual job'? I know I do. And at what cost are they famous? She is every fame-hungry internet star who is willing step on everyone else to get to her fame. While Angelo writes tongue-in-cheek at times, mocking our love of ridiculous publicity stunts that we know are fake but love to treat as if they are real. She is one heck of a manipulator, and while it's easy to hate her, I don't think she's entirely bad. Or, at least, she has help, perhaps.
Orla is the retiring friend who doesn't think other people will step on her to get to their fame. She has her share of shameful moments as well, of moments when she doesn't think she'll hurt anyone ... but. There's always a but.
Followers brings to life where we are now (2015/2016) and where the future will be (2051). It is a commentary of the digital age, of our online obsessions, of the things we believe are private about ourselves ... of all the truths we hold carefully, only to find out that we're just one step away from the entire world knowing - or, perhaps, more than the entire world watching us, just those who didn't want to know our deepest secrets. It certainly made me question the devices I use and all the things I've already put out into the inter-webs ... I already know my phone listens to me, so ...
After all, isn't it most important to have followers believing in the fake-reality of our online lives?
Okay, okay—the low rating is because this turned out to be a genre I don’t exactly adore. Post-apocalyptic sci-fi.
I enjoyed the social commentary and how topical the book is (internet, screen time, lack of privacy, over sharing on the internet, presenting a persona online, cyber-bullying, and even some immigration). I did feel some of the commentary was a bit too obvious and forced at times, too.
Decided to read this book because it was on a Goodreads list about debut authors. Overall, not terrible for a debut novel, and I’m guessing those interested in the genre will enjoy it.
I enjoyed the social commentary and how topical the book is (internet, screen time, lack of privacy, over sharing on the internet, presenting a persona online, cyber-bullying, and even some immigration). I did feel some of the commentary was a bit too obvious and forced at times, too.
Decided to read this book because it was on a Goodreads list about debut authors. Overall, not terrible for a debut novel, and I’m guessing those interested in the genre will enjoy it.
I am so glad I chose this title. After several months of listening to audiobooks and reading the hard copies of others, I was frustrated because I was not finding great stories. Finally, Followers came along.
The author does an incredible job with the characters. She allows for the audience to both love and hate them. She juxtaposes their flaws alongside their strengths perfectly.
The two stories, which seem unrelated in the beginning, mesh together perfectly at just the right time and They then continue to grow separately but together at the same time.
What I enjoyed the most about the story is that every part of it from the characters to the setting to the theme were relatable even if their circumstances were not. This is one of those books where you miss the characters as soon as the story is over.
The author does an incredible job with the characters. She allows for the audience to both love and hate them. She juxtaposes their flaws alongside their strengths perfectly.
The two stories, which seem unrelated in the beginning, mesh together perfectly at just the right time and They then continue to grow separately but together at the same time.
What I enjoyed the most about the story is that every part of it from the characters to the setting to the theme were relatable even if their circumstances were not. This is one of those books where you miss the characters as soon as the story is over.
3.5 stars. I loved the premise of this book and enjoyed a lot about it, though the second half was a bit draggy.
This book had an interesting premise: that people lived in a town where everyone was filmed all the time and everyone else in the world watched them. It was a bit dystopian-esque, which I always enjoy, but was not something that was super captivating in terms of writing or character development.
I liked this book well enough. While I liked that it followed two characters over two timelines, I almost think I would’ve enjoyed it more if they were two separate books. I liked the themes about celebrity, motherhood, and friendship. It was also interesting how romantic relationships were presented, almost as though they are secondary to the aforementioned themes.
The parts where everything was summarised (especially the last chapter) fell flat and like a cop out. There was so much raw emotions that could’ve been explored but no.
Overall I thought this book had a lot of potential to have done a little bit more. I loved the premise, the characters and their motivations, but the execution of the emotional arcs weren’t done as well as I wanted them to be.
The parts where everything was summarised (especially the last chapter) fell flat and like a cop out. There was so much raw emotions that could’ve been explored but no.
Overall I thought this book had a lot of potential to have done a little bit more. I loved the premise, the characters and their motivations, but the execution of the emotional arcs weren’t done as well as I wanted them to be.
Very Black Mirror-esque. Using dual timelines it explores what could happen when the world is addicted to technology and social media.
“People spoke of the way things were when the old phones were still around: whole waiting rooms, whole planes, whole parties full of people with their heads bent chin to chest staring at oblongs of blue light, as still and as oblivious to their surroundings as of a gas leak had put them to sleep.”
Oh my goodness! This book was amazing! A creepy look at the potential future of our social media obsessed world where people will do just about anything for instant fame and a “following.”
Not only does this book feel uncomfortably accurate, it’s also beautifully written. Example: on ballet classes “Marlow never really like the dancing but loved posing information with the others she love the tiny hair of the shared breath they took just before they started moving the synchronize bunk of their point shoes as they finished a combination.”
The characters weren’t necessarily likable, but held true to our current era of worshiping people who truly don’t deserve our attention. As much as I shook my head at all the characters poor choices, I also nodded and felt myself drawn to & interested in their fame a whole lot more than one should.
The dual time was really interesting. As I watched Marlow discover her past, we watched that past unfold in real time through Orla and Floss. Such a uniquely presented story/prediction of the path our society is stumbling down.
I personally predict: this is THE BOOK for 2020. It’s an entirely distinctive novel with an alluring aesthetic that will creep right under your skin like the “devices” of the future.
I’d recommend this to any social media addicts or those trying to be instafamous or twitterfamous or a youtube sensation. I’d recommend this to anyone struggling with anger issues, body image issues, or who they’re going to be when they “grow up.” I’d recommend this to all the pop culture lovers or reality tv junkies and fans of syfy (strangely enough). Just pick it. Read it. And thank me later.
Oh my goodness! This book was amazing! A creepy look at the potential future of our social media obsessed world where people will do just about anything for instant fame and a “following.”
Not only does this book feel uncomfortably accurate, it’s also beautifully written. Example: on ballet classes “Marlow never really like the dancing but loved posing information with the others she love the tiny hair of the shared breath they took just before they started moving the synchronize bunk of their point shoes as they finished a combination.”
The characters weren’t necessarily likable, but held true to our current era of worshiping people who truly don’t deserve our attention. As much as I shook my head at all the characters poor choices, I also nodded and felt myself drawn to & interested in their fame a whole lot more than one should.
The dual time was really interesting. As I watched Marlow discover her past, we watched that past unfold in real time through Orla and Floss. Such a uniquely presented story/prediction of the path our society is stumbling down.
I personally predict: this is THE BOOK for 2020. It’s an entirely distinctive novel with an alluring aesthetic that will creep right under your skin like the “devices” of the future.
I’d recommend this to any social media addicts or those trying to be instafamous or twitterfamous or a youtube sensation. I’d recommend this to anyone struggling with anger issues, body image issues, or who they’re going to be when they “grow up.” I’d recommend this to all the pop culture lovers or reality tv junkies and fans of syfy (strangely enough). Just pick it. Read it. And thank me later.
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fun story about the evils of social media set in the present and the near-future. Followers started off with characters I hated but then slowly won me over as Angelo gave them surprising depth. Really enjoyable.