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A review by frasersimons
Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick by Jason Pargin, David Wong
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The first part had a section that dragged quite a bit, for me, and most of this book was interested in modelling itself after it. Now firmly cemented as rich, “the blowback” (I refuse to capitalize), a group of VR entrenched conspiracy jobs, spin Zoey’s rise in a misogynistic, disgusting light, in an effort to galvanize various other factions against her.
A lot of this novel is spent with Zoey experiencing a crisis of faith in herself, questioning her power and wealth, vacillating between being ineffectual or else a complete tyrant because she’s not doing enough. While some of this book does a descent job at showing how hate groups work, it doesn’t make for interesting or tense reading, so it’s just people standing around talking or Zoey doom spiralling internally or verbalizing it. The humour actually worked against it numerous times too, deflating any sense of actual stakes or crises.
Contrary to the title, the resolution to everything is maybe an alright progression of Zoey’s character, but also antithetical to what made the first book a fun read. Moronic jerks keep trying to make Zoey feel like crap and there’s no actual agency to speak of, physical otherwise, for her to deploy. What winning looks like in those circumstances, is kind of anticlimactic. I thought she’d have taken self defence classes or learned a bit, but no, especially given the title. Instead, there’s a cohen-esk bumbling around to an ending, which fizzled out.
Which is kind of a shame, given the third books’ cover looks really good. I’m not sure I want to bother with it after this, though.
A lot of this novel is spent with Zoey experiencing a crisis of faith in herself, questioning her power and wealth, vacillating between being ineffectual or else a complete tyrant because she’s not doing enough. While some of this book does a descent job at showing how hate groups work, it doesn’t make for interesting or tense reading, so it’s just people standing around talking or Zoey doom spiralling internally or verbalizing it. The humour actually worked against it numerous times too, deflating any sense of actual stakes or crises.
Contrary to the title, the resolution to everything is maybe an alright progression of Zoey’s character, but also antithetical to what made the first book a fun read. Moronic jerks keep trying to make Zoey feel like crap and there’s no actual agency to speak of, physical otherwise, for her to deploy. What winning looks like in those circumstances, is kind of anticlimactic. I thought she’d have taken self defence classes or learned a bit, but no, especially given the title. Instead, there’s a cohen-esk bumbling around to an ending, which fizzled out.
Which is kind of a shame, given the third books’ cover looks really good. I’m not sure I want to bother with it after this, though.