A review by abrswf
Paranoia by Joseph Finder

2.0

Arguably this book deserves one star. First, there is a premise, and a plot, but basically no resolution. And the denouement is remarkably rushed --until you think back and realize that is likely because the author had no idea how to explain the many inconsistent earlier plot points. Second, there is the narrator, a remarkably shallow and obnoxious young man whose only apparent gift is lying. Third, there is the book's obsession with surface -- looks, cars, office size, house decor, etc, as if these things really have any depth or intrinsic meaning. And one upmanship, comparing belongings as if proxies for worth. Fourth, there is the sloppy writing -- people are "the guy" and clichés abound and very little that isn't a brand name has a denotation -- it's all "stuff" and "such" as if actually saying what the author is referring to is too much work. Fifth, this book is obliviously sexist and racist. The author actually talks about "bodacious tatas" and every woman character with any power gets it via seductive techniques. The only Latinos are food servers and the only African American is a home care provider with a prison background. The author seems unconscious of the existence of LGBTQ people at all. Worst of all is the story's moral, which I guess is that ruthless greedy liars win everything and control everything. And the book's own morality, which is that lying and stealing and betrayal are fine unless it happens to you.

Long story short, give this book a wide berth. Now I see why the movie, which I hope never to see, got 6% favorable ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.