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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I really loved this book...in theory. It grabbed my attention quickly, the plot line was incredibly creative and it was thick with rich character development. But there was something about it that just didn't resonate with me, something that just kind of let me down.
The novel follows two main characters, Orla Cadden, a culture blogger plagued with a fame-chasing roommate who has a plan to launch of them both into notoriety, and Marlow, an already notorious government-sanctioned influencer with millions of followers struggling to find independence. The novel bounces between these two women, who are living 35 years apart, as they struggle to find what the other has.
I really enjoyed the contrast of the two plot lines and the two women. I enjoyed the gentle teases that there was some kind of connection between Orla and Marlow. I was incredibly curious about the "big event" that happened in between 2015 and 2051, resulting in a complete disruption of how American's viewed the internet. I was driven by my curiosity of why the government of all things created an influencer program. The story, to me, was so intriguing.
The dystopian setting really hooked me, so for most of the book, I was willing to ignore how some of the writing felt forced and longwinded. I was willing to ignore that there were some melodramatic moments that we're clearly cliffhangers for the sake of being cliffhangers. But then I got closer and closer to the end and...wow. What a let down. The weak ended ruined things for me; it felt like the author had a great idea for a story (which is true) but somehow forgot to figure out what caused the main conflict.
So, while I enjoyed about 80% of the book, the ending really took it from a great read to a let down. I wish it had stayed strong through the end, but it seems like a lot of readers were a-okay with how things wrapped up, so I guess to each their own!
The novel follows two main characters, Orla Cadden, a culture blogger plagued with a fame-chasing roommate who has a plan to launch of them both into notoriety, and Marlow, an already notorious government-sanctioned influencer with millions of followers struggling to find independence. The novel bounces between these two women, who are living 35 years apart, as they struggle to find what the other has.
I really enjoyed the contrast of the two plot lines and the two women. I enjoyed the gentle teases that there was some kind of connection between Orla and Marlow. I was incredibly curious about the "big event" that happened in between 2015 and 2051, resulting in a complete disruption of how American's viewed the internet. I was driven by my curiosity of why the government of all things created an influencer program. The story, to me, was so intriguing.
The dystopian setting really hooked me, so for most of the book, I was willing to ignore how some of the writing felt forced and longwinded. I was willing to ignore that there were some melodramatic moments that we're clearly cliffhangers for the sake of being cliffhangers. But then I got closer and closer to the end and...wow. What a let down. The weak ended ruined things for me; it felt like the author had a great idea for a story (which is true) but somehow forgot to figure out what caused the main conflict.
So, while I enjoyed about 80% of the book, the ending really took it from a great read to a let down. I wish it had stayed strong through the end, but it seems like a lot of readers were a-okay with how things wrapped up, so I guess to each their own!
This book was so good - and so creepy and unsettling! It feels like we are collectively a deep breath away from the 2051 reality depicted here, which makes it all the more interesting to follow along with the then and now. I also really appreciate the author's inclusion of the President (without making names) and the brilliant writing of and commentary on his speech.
4.5 stars that I'm rounding up.
Take celebrity culture, phone addictions, Instagram "fame", and mash it up with a tinge of a dystopian government state.
Very fun, very thought-provoking.
Take celebrity culture, phone addictions, Instagram "fame", and mash it up with a tinge of a dystopian government state.
Very fun, very thought-provoking.
THIS. It had me hooked from the first page, and I’m a sucker for books with time jumps! I’ve not read dystopia for save my own mental well-being for the first half of the year so although it’s a favourite genre it’s the first I’ve read in 2020 and it’s absolutely amazing. Although I guessed some of the plot reveals and I wasn’t 100% satisfied with the ending, it was so complex and well written that I honestly didn’t mind. I’m not usually a fan of tech based stories but this was really a special one.
I loved the points this book made about the internet and how open it is. It also brings to light certain aspects of a celebrity's life that aren't usually shown.
I think this was a well written dystopian that seems far more possible than many others I’ve read. The beginning was a tad confusing but once I understood how the world functioned, it was easy to follow. Definitely an interesting on what we broadcast of our lives to the masses and the importance of having some parts of life remain private. It’s also an interesting look at how people can learn to derive some form of meaning from broadcasting their entire life but being unsatisfied in life overall. I do find the ending a bit odd with Floss, Orla, and Marlo all living in Atlantis with each other given that Floss stole Orla’s child and lied to Marlo her entire life. I will say, it is well established that Floss is an extreme example of a person being of their environment, she was thoroughly entrenched in that lifestyle so her actions, while awful, are understandable to an extent.
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.