ruthlessly's review against another edition
4.0
I REALLY wish I could rate this 3.5 stars, which I think is where I'm most comfortable putting it, but I'll round up for now!
I really enjoyed this, tbh. I thought it was a really interesting take on this particular idea, which has obviously been hugely informed by the Truman show, things like KUWTK, and the impact on culture. This book literally starts with a quote from Nietzsche and another from Kylie Jenner, which is INCREDIBLY funny, and I think sets the tone for the book! There's a lot of Big ideas here, but I don't think it ever takes itself too seriously. There's consideration, without pretension. It's extremely entertaining, too. I don't think it's hard to work out what twists are coming, tbqh, but I don't think the novel's that concerned with keeping secrets from the reader. Secrets, obviously, are a huge thing in this book, where one of the characters is literally a starring member on a futuristic Truman-esque show except they're all very aware of where they are.
It's a smart book, about consumerism and consumption of self. Naturally there's a lot about the construction of the self and the distorted images we present to the world. I think there's some really nice brushes here -- for e.g. the 'villainous' people are nearly always given something, there's a motivation or a moment where their humanity is affirmed.
Sometimes I think this book didn't dig deep enough for me, personally, but I still thought it was a lot of fun to read and I liked spending time in this world and with these characters.
I really enjoyed this, tbh. I thought it was a really interesting take on this particular idea, which has obviously been hugely informed by the Truman show, things like KUWTK, and the impact on culture. This book literally starts with a quote from Nietzsche and another from Kylie Jenner, which is INCREDIBLY funny, and I think sets the tone for the book! There's a lot of Big ideas here, but I don't think it ever takes itself too seriously. There's consideration, without pretension. It's extremely entertaining, too. I don't think it's hard to work out what twists are coming, tbqh, but I don't think the novel's that concerned with keeping secrets from the reader. Secrets, obviously, are a huge thing in this book, where one of the characters is literally a starring member on a futuristic Truman-esque show except they're all very aware of where they are.
It's a smart book, about consumerism and consumption of self. Naturally there's a lot about the construction of the self and the distorted images we present to the world. I think there's some really nice brushes here -- for e.g. the 'villainous' people are nearly always given something, there's a motivation or a moment where their humanity is affirmed.
Sometimes I think this book didn't dig deep enough for me, personally, but I still thought it was a lot of fun to read and I liked spending time in this world and with these characters.
chandlerwood's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Grief, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Dementia
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Deportation, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Infertility
beckch81's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
andrearbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Followers by Megan Angelo is a fascinating exploration of technology - both what is and what could be. In the present (2055), the government runs the internet. Way back in 2015, the internet was very similar to now because, well, it is now! The present focuses on Marlow trying to find out the truth about her life. This happens after a bombshell secret is revealed, so she must trek back through the past to get answers. In 2015, the story focuses on Orla and Floss. Floss is a social media darling. Orla dreams of being a famous writer, but to get there, she writes articles to cover celebrities. Floss and Orla form an unlikely friendship, but there are also a lot of dynamics and layers to their friendship. The story goes between the past and present focusing on the social media that was and the social media that is. Throughout, it starts to build a connection between the characters in each time, and you start to wonder how this might all come together. This was the realest of real commentaries on social media. While you could say this is dystopian, you could also say this is legit where we are right now, and the future it paints isn't so far from where we could go. This one captivated me as the author did a fantastic job at using technology as well as characters to tell her story. My only critique is that I wanted to know more! I was so drawn into the world she built that I craved more detail. I had all the questions. Really that critique speaks to the realness of the story that was told! Also, this is an wonderful commentary on the role social media has come to play in our lives, and it's a good piece to turn a mirror on how its used and the dystopia that could very, very well be our reality. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this January 2020 release!
katiekmac's review against another edition
4.0
So good! The pace was a little slow for me but the concept was very unique and timely. Loved finding not-so-subtle references to our current state of affairs.
aetataureate's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
starts strong
menniemenace's review against another edition
2.0
Popsugar 2020: A book about or involving social media
2.5/5
This brought out the worst in me. I feel angry and hateful and I can't do anything right now except being annoyed.
The internet is great but it's also the most awful thing that ever happened. Something monumental will happen through the internet and ruin our lives at some point. Influencers aren't intellectual people and no one should blindly follow them. And...?
This is nothing new, people always say that all the time. What is the point of this exactly? I know books don't have to have a raison d'etre, but this was pointlessly disturbing. Bad stuff happens in this book to the point it'll need a big trigger-warning but it'll spoil the twists. However, none of these awful things lead to anything, no character development happens. The characters are bland and dull and they remain bland and dull even after going through and/or causing horrible things. So what's the point?
I love modern dystopia so much, anything based on current risks gets me invested in it and worried after finishing. This didn't. This just made me angry and a little annoyed at the world and gave me nothing to remember it by.
2.5/5
This brought out the worst in me. I feel angry and hateful and I can't do anything right now except being annoyed.
The internet is great but it's also the most awful thing that ever happened. Something monumental will happen through the internet and ruin our lives at some point. Influencers aren't intellectual people and no one should blindly follow them. And...?
This is nothing new, people always say that all the time. What is the point of this exactly? I know books don't have to have a raison d'etre, but this was pointlessly disturbing. Bad stuff happens in this book to the point it'll need a big trigger-warning but it'll spoil the twists. However, none of these awful things lead to anything, no character development happens. The characters are bland and dull and they remain bland and dull even after going through and/or causing horrible things. So what's the point?
I love modern dystopia so much, anything based on current risks gets me invested in it and worried after finishing. This didn't. This just made me angry and a little annoyed at the world and gave me nothing to remember it by.
donnerbella's review against another edition
4.0
What a ride. A book as captivating as the fraught social media/influencer landscape it talks about. Having read "The atomospherians" and peaked into "wayward" I feel like we're at the beginning of a new wave, where female protagonists break the mold, with the backdrop of the tr0mp-years pushing them ahead.
This way, the second timeline doesn't even feel science fiction, just a little of the beaten path. The medicated Marlow might as well be a child-star of the 2010s, with a conservatorship instead of living in a sealed of community under constant watch, the difference isn't even a stretch.
It's the breezy tone, the at times sardonic dialogue and the true to life sheer tediousness of everything between the reality-star-president and a pandemic wiping out the life we know.
This way, the second timeline doesn't even feel science fiction, just a little of the beaten path. The medicated Marlow might as well be a child-star of the 2010s, with a conservatorship instead of living in a sealed of community under constant watch, the difference isn't even a stretch.
It's the breezy tone, the at times sardonic dialogue and the true to life sheer tediousness of everything between the reality-star-president and a pandemic wiping out the life we know.
waxingquixotic's review against another edition
3.0
In another time and place, this book would easily be four stars, so don’t let your eyes quickly gloss over my three star rating and somehow give you the false impression that this book is just average. Also, never mind. Let’s continue...
Here’s the deal, friends. And we’re all friends, aren’t we? And we’ve been practicing social distance long before that was a thing. We’re all way ahead of our time, aren’t we, Goodreads? Anyway,
I ended a sentence we a comma, or I broke a sentence into another paragraph. Either way, I don’t care enough to fix it.
I started this audiobook back when things were relatively normal. What is normal anymore? Sitting at home playing video games and reading books. Watching comforting television programs. Playing basketball with the kids. Cooking meals from Hello Fresh and warming up the leftovers the next day. Not getting a haircut. Wearing a hat more often. Considering bringing back the caveman look. It’s been way too long.
I listened to this story on the way to and from work, at work, like a normally do. Then, working from home went from a nice perk of my job to a mandatory thing. I didn’t, I mean I couldn’t listen to audio books or podcasts the same way. There were other things going on around the house. There wasn’t a commute. So it took me way too long to finish this.
I really liked it though, but I was so ready to be done reading it. I didn’t give it a fair shot to be better than I know it is. The whole concept of social media followers and fame and influence mixed up into a science fiction time bending tale was awesome. The writing was sharp and witty. You should definitely read it if the plot strikes a chord with you at all. It’s better than I’m rating it.
I mean, what the hell else are you going to do? Read this funny sci-fi romcom fictional tale and take your mind off things for a while. It’s a good option right now. I may revisit it again down the road so I can truly appreciate it more than I did this time around.
I really need a haircut, man.
Here’s the deal, friends. And we’re all friends, aren’t we? And we’ve been practicing social distance long before that was a thing. We’re all way ahead of our time, aren’t we, Goodreads? Anyway,
I ended a sentence we a comma, or I broke a sentence into another paragraph. Either way, I don’t care enough to fix it.
I started this audiobook back when things were relatively normal. What is normal anymore? Sitting at home playing video games and reading books. Watching comforting television programs. Playing basketball with the kids. Cooking meals from Hello Fresh and warming up the leftovers the next day. Not getting a haircut. Wearing a hat more often. Considering bringing back the caveman look. It’s been way too long.
I listened to this story on the way to and from work, at work, like a normally do. Then, working from home went from a nice perk of my job to a mandatory thing. I didn’t, I mean I couldn’t listen to audio books or podcasts the same way. There were other things going on around the house. There wasn’t a commute. So it took me way too long to finish this.
I really liked it though, but I was so ready to be done reading it. I didn’t give it a fair shot to be better than I know it is. The whole concept of social media followers and fame and influence mixed up into a science fiction time bending tale was awesome. The writing was sharp and witty. You should definitely read it if the plot strikes a chord with you at all. It’s better than I’m rating it.
I mean, what the hell else are you going to do? Read this funny sci-fi romcom fictional tale and take your mind off things for a while. It’s a good option right now. I may revisit it again down the road so I can truly appreciate it more than I did this time around.
I really need a haircut, man.