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A review by misterfix
I Hate the Internet by Jarett Kobek
3.0
2 1/2 stars
I read another review that cited Vonnegut as a clear influence and stylistically this is certainly true however Kobek purposefully chooses to maintain a disconnected narrative and while this was entertaining and at times supremely effective at skewering contemporary culture, specifically San Francisco and technology, I eventually lost interest and began to skip sections. For me this book would have been more enjoyable if it was about 60 pages (1/4 of the length) shorter.
Granted the author announces upfront that they have no intention of writing a 'good novel', I was still frustrated as with a bit of editing they could have maintained the same structure and style yet leave the reader more affected.... does that make sense to anyone who read it?
My suggestion - read Vonnegut, Lanier, Sontag or Doctorow.
I read another review that cited Vonnegut as a clear influence and stylistically this is certainly true however Kobek purposefully chooses to maintain a disconnected narrative and while this was entertaining and at times supremely effective at skewering contemporary culture, specifically San Francisco and technology, I eventually lost interest and began to skip sections. For me this book would have been more enjoyable if it was about 60 pages (1/4 of the length) shorter.
Granted the author announces upfront that they have no intention of writing a 'good novel', I was still frustrated as with a bit of editing they could have maintained the same structure and style yet leave the reader more affected.... does that make sense to anyone who read it?
My suggestion - read Vonnegut, Lanier, Sontag or Doctorow.