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A review by stephreadsal0t
Lost in Arcadia by Sean Gandert
4.0
I would give this 3.5 stars but I rounded up for Goodreads. I'm really curious to see how others think of it after it's released for the masses. I read it as a Kindle First book.
Overall I enjoyed it. It was like an episode of Black Mirror, so if you're into that you would like this I think. I found myself wanting to read more. I really enjoy books that use mixed media to tell the story and this does this -- blog and news articles and message board threads are weaved within the chapters. I think the author did a good job of utilizing those. Advertising is a big aspect of it. It makes me think of a writing teacher I had once who said to never use a brand like Coke in your story unless you were getting paid by them. I think he forgot how poignant subverting advertising can be.
It's not dystopian to me, even though it's being billed as such. I also wondered if the author was applying a little too much of 2017 to 2035 (I think that's the year it takes place in). A lot of trendy slang now is used, news sources like Buzzfeed and Slate are referenced, the NYT is the liberal fake news, and people drive Prisus's which I don't 100% buy, but maybe I'm being overly critical. I mean we still drive Accords from the 90's and say "hella". But I thought there was space to create a new generation and instead it seemed like 20-something Millennials placed 2035 and the setting in time became meaningless.
I found the characters realistic and relatable. I especially liked Teresa. I liked the role race played, which was often used to point out hypocrisy and racism. It seemed realistic and scary. Other reviews have pointed out their lack of character development, which I can understand. I wish Autumn's character was more developed. I think Gideon especially was painted with a broad brush without a lot of critical thought. I think he was in many ways the character it centered around and I ended up hating him. Ultimately everyone is an anti-hero, but isn't that life?
This was definitely written from a perspective of a liberal man and there's nothing wrong with this but I want to read Margaret Atwood's version of it too.
I found the ending abrupt. Maybe because I grew up on Disney films, I want this to have a sequel with some redemption and someone to fight against the man. If you are looking for asskicking, this is not the book to read.
I can see why people would have problems with it but so far everyone I've read who disliked it didn't like it because of the use of "fuck" or the sex worker (cam girl) aspect of it or maybe are just Trump voters who are uncomfortable with the way this book reflects the way they voted and our countries trajectory back at them.
Overall I think it's worth the read.
Overall I enjoyed it. It was like an episode of Black Mirror, so if you're into that you would like this I think. I found myself wanting to read more. I really enjoy books that use mixed media to tell the story and this does this -- blog and news articles and message board threads are weaved within the chapters. I think the author did a good job of utilizing those. Advertising is a big aspect of it. It makes me think of a writing teacher I had once who said to never use a brand like Coke in your story unless you were getting paid by them. I think he forgot how poignant subverting advertising can be.
It's not dystopian to me, even though it's being billed as such. I also wondered if the author was applying a little too much of 2017 to 2035 (I think that's the year it takes place in). A lot of trendy slang now is used, news sources like Buzzfeed and Slate are referenced, the NYT is the liberal fake news, and people drive Prisus's which I don't 100% buy, but maybe I'm being overly critical. I mean we still drive Accords from the 90's and say "hella". But I thought there was space to create a new generation and instead it seemed like 20-something Millennials placed 2035 and the setting in time became meaningless.
I found the characters realistic and relatable. I especially liked Teresa. I liked the role race played, which was often used to point out hypocrisy and racism. It seemed realistic and scary. Other reviews have pointed out their lack of character development, which I can understand. I wish Autumn's character was more developed. I think Gideon especially was painted with a broad brush without a lot of critical thought. I think he was in many ways the character it centered around and I ended up hating him. Ultimately everyone is an anti-hero, but isn't that life?
This was definitely written from a perspective of a liberal man and there's nothing wrong with this but I want to read Margaret Atwood's version of it too.
I found the ending abrupt. Maybe because I grew up on Disney films, I want this to have a sequel with some redemption and someone to fight against the man. If you are looking for asskicking, this is not the book to read.
I can see why people would have problems with it but so far everyone I've read who disliked it didn't like it because of the use of "fuck" or the sex worker (cam girl) aspect of it or maybe are just Trump voters who are uncomfortable with the way this book reflects the way they voted and our countries trajectory back at them.
Overall I think it's worth the read.