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Furtl
1984 meets IDIOCRACY Released in 2013, the near-future setting of this dystopian satire is NOW.
KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST OF THE YEAR SELECTION
furtl, America's once dominant technology conglomerate is bleeding money. Holospace machines out of China have transformed the way people do business on the Internet and furtl can't keep up. But there is hope. If furtl can get the US government to outlaw Holospace machines, their search algorithms, social networks, and proximity payment systems will live to see another day. All the government wants in return is unrestricted access to furtl's user data so it can squash its political opponents. It's the perfect plan (issues pertaining to privacy, innovation, and democracy notwithstanding).
KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST OF THE YEAR SELECTION
furtl, America's once dominant technology conglomerate is bleeding money. Holospace machines out of China have transformed the way people do business on the Internet and furtl can't keep up. But there is hope. If furtl can get the US government to outlaw Holospace machines, their search algorithms, social networks, and proximity payment systems will live to see another day. All the government wants in return is unrestricted access to furtl's user data so it can squash its political opponents. It's the perfect plan (issues pertaining to privacy, innovation, and democracy notwithstanding).
- GenresDystopiaScience Fiction
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2013
About the author
Strobe Witherspoon
2 books23 followersWitherspoon’s first novel, furtl, was a 2014 Kirkus Reviews book of the year selection. The absurd near future of that novel became not-so-absurd one year later.
OOF: an online outrage fiesta for the ages will be released by Marginal Books.
OOF: an online outrage fiesta for the ages will be released by Marginal Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 28, 2016
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, you need to read the endorsements at the start of this book, one from nearly every member of the author's family, and so hilarious. It really did set a nice tone to my initial reading. This book is part 1984, part A Clockwork Orange, and part reality. While I felt that the book tried too hard initially to create its own language and speech, about halfway through it really found its stride and no longer felt so jarring.
Manny's story is one which everyone should read. The reality is that companies and governments have been given control by consumers in exchange for convenience and apathy. The America that Manny returns to in this book is reminiscent of North Korean detachment from the wider world, and extreme control over the lives of its citizens. I found the political perspectives that we saw to demonstrate exactly what any sort of extremism can do to people and their world. For example, the Lefteas bombing an anti-abortion group, while that group was out bombing an abortion clinic, I mean it is so stupid but also the kind of thing you can see people actually doing. It also brought up the dangers of corporate control, as companies have political agendas too and will use their power to strong-arm where they can.
The book is far more optimistic than 1984, and had a sense of hope that I never thought the other did. The HCC polls and Zines completely won me over. I love the idea of history repeating itself in that way, with a new generation seeking a way away from the control of the internet. I loved how all the little parts of the book came together at the end too, it all made sense and not a single sentence in the story was wasted.
I definitely had questions that weren't answered about the book though. I didn't understand how it was so easy for Manny to get back into America after 6 years, given the extremity of detachment that the country had taken from rest of the world. It also strongly bothered me how easily Manny found and was accepted into the Lefteas, it really was too convenient and I didn't believe it. I also wished that Manny had a more clear goal when returning, as we kind of watched him stumble around for a while and it made the book slow down substantially at one point in the middle. Having said that, I loved the last half of the book so much and nothing was wasted. Fiona was a great character and I do wish we had met her earlier than we did.
This book did justice to its influences and I would recommend it to anyone interested in politics or fans of 1984 or A Clockwork Orange.
Firstly, you need to read the endorsements at the start of this book, one from nearly every member of the author's family, and so hilarious. It really did set a nice tone to my initial reading. This book is part 1984, part A Clockwork Orange, and part reality. While I felt that the book tried too hard initially to create its own language and speech, about halfway through it really found its stride and no longer felt so jarring.
Manny's story is one which everyone should read. The reality is that companies and governments have been given control by consumers in exchange for convenience and apathy. The America that Manny returns to in this book is reminiscent of North Korean detachment from the wider world, and extreme control over the lives of its citizens. I found the political perspectives that we saw to demonstrate exactly what any sort of extremism can do to people and their world. For example, the Lefteas bombing an anti-abortion group, while that group was out bombing an abortion clinic, I mean it is so stupid but also the kind of thing you can see people actually doing. It also brought up the dangers of corporate control, as companies have political agendas too and will use their power to strong-arm where they can.
The book is far more optimistic than 1984, and had a sense of hope that I never thought the other did. The HCC polls and Zines completely won me over. I love the idea of history repeating itself in that way, with a new generation seeking a way away from the control of the internet. I loved how all the little parts of the book came together at the end too, it all made sense and not a single sentence in the story was wasted.
I definitely had questions that weren't answered about the book though. I didn't understand how it was so easy for Manny to get back into America after 6 years, given the extremity of detachment that the country had taken from rest of the world. It also strongly bothered me how easily Manny found and was accepted into the Lefteas, it really was too convenient and I didn't believe it. I also wished that Manny had a more clear goal when returning, as we kind of watched him stumble around for a while and it made the book slow down substantially at one point in the middle. Having said that, I loved the last half of the book so much and nothing was wasted. Fiona was a great character and I do wish we had met her earlier than we did.
This book did justice to its influences and I would recommend it to anyone interested in politics or fans of 1984 or A Clockwork Orange.
February 3, 2014
In these times of NSA spying on American citizens all in the name or making us safer. It is not unlikely to find a book that turns a comic eye on such events. Furtl does just that. It is a quick satirical look at what is currently happening in our world today. The book is set in the not too distant future (2026) and proceeds to follow a line that eerily sounds way to familiar to our everyday lives. This book is a combination of Politicians and Big corporations trying to blend everything into something that only suits themselves and their bottom line. While reading this book I constantly found myself asking if this was happening to us in real life.
The book starts off slow, but if you stick with it you quickly get drawn in and turning pages. I found myself laughing on almost every page. Sadly, though this book is not going to appeal to everybody. If you are looking for a funny and insightful tale about civilization I would whole-heartedly recommend this book.
The book starts off slow, but if you stick with it you quickly get drawn in and turning pages. I found myself laughing on almost every page. Sadly, though this book is not going to appeal to everybody. If you are looking for a funny and insightful tale about civilization I would whole-heartedly recommend this book.
February 24, 2016
This is the techno version of Idiocracy. Between the two this is even more enjoyable and closer to what we see happening in lives and our fascination with technology. In addition to lambasting our technological dependencies Strobe uses satire to lampoon both sides of the political field (American politics that is). One reviewer said that the premises was too far fetched and over the top. I have to disagree. While the extremes in Furtl are ludicrous I feel that level of ridiculousness only highlights just how silly we are in the real world.
Overall a fun quick read with plenty of wit.
Overall a fun quick read with plenty of wit.
January 6, 2014
furtl is funny and insightful, a tightly wound tale with more pop references than I probably picked up. Its political commentary was scathing, and its humor made me laugh out loud more than once. This is what 1984 would have been if written in 2013 by a guy with a funnybone.
furtl chronicles the unceremonious unseating of the founder of the book's namesake company, a timid and weaselly fellow who has been swept away by people more politically attuned and financially motivated than he. After being ousted, he heads off into the Bhutanian wilderness to sulk, only to be reawakened by the intrusion of technology into his isolated haven. He plunges back into the political reality of the 2030's America, where he works to overthrow the stranglehold his previous company has on the government.
I can hardly do this book justice in this short review, but parodies and parallels abound. One group he runs into, the "Lefteas" plays off both the term "leftie," a derogatory term for a left-leaning idealist (and this sorry band of miscreants takes those beliefs to hilarious extremes) and the "Tea Party" grassroots movement currently underway. But the satire doesn't stop with the groups themselves. The entire culture of the country a short couple decades in the future is a logical progression from where we are today. I would go so far as to call this "a scathing but hilarious critique" of current Western society, if I were prone to sound bites in these reviews.
Mr. Witherspoon has done his homework, binding the story together with details and nuances that struck me as apropos, sad, and silly all at once. I found it confusing to get into the book because with first chapter is actually a prologue (since the main character isn't in it). It took several scenes before I realized Manny was the protagonist. I enjoyed his hard-put-upon demeanor, though it didn't quite reach the hilarious extremes that, say, Arthur Dent in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy did.
This book appeals to readers of satirical humor, conspiracy theorists who believe the government is tracking our every move (Hint: They are!), and anyone who appreciates a light-hearted look at the consequences of the choices we as a society are making.
Also posted on my blog, Magic & Mayhem Book Reviews.
furtl chronicles the unceremonious unseating of the founder of the book's namesake company, a timid and weaselly fellow who has been swept away by people more politically attuned and financially motivated than he. After being ousted, he heads off into the Bhutanian wilderness to sulk, only to be reawakened by the intrusion of technology into his isolated haven. He plunges back into the political reality of the 2030's America, where he works to overthrow the stranglehold his previous company has on the government.
I can hardly do this book justice in this short review, but parodies and parallels abound. One group he runs into, the "Lefteas" plays off both the term "leftie," a derogatory term for a left-leaning idealist (and this sorry band of miscreants takes those beliefs to hilarious extremes) and the "Tea Party" grassroots movement currently underway. But the satire doesn't stop with the groups themselves. The entire culture of the country a short couple decades in the future is a logical progression from where we are today. I would go so far as to call this "a scathing but hilarious critique" of current Western society, if I were prone to sound bites in these reviews.
Mr. Witherspoon has done his homework, binding the story together with details and nuances that struck me as apropos, sad, and silly all at once. I found it confusing to get into the book because with first chapter is actually a prologue (since the main character isn't in it). It took several scenes before I realized Manny was the protagonist. I enjoyed his hard-put-upon demeanor, though it didn't quite reach the hilarious extremes that, say, Arthur Dent in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy did.
This book appeals to readers of satirical humor, conspiracy theorists who believe the government is tracking our every move (Hint: They are!), and anyone who appreciates a light-hearted look at the consequences of the choices we as a society are making.
Also posted on my blog, Magic & Mayhem Book Reviews.
February 9, 2016
Wow, a quick and easy read! The book did start off on a few tangents that leave you wondering what's going on and then seem dropped, but don't let that bother you as they are relevant to the story.
I, personally, do not care for long drawn out boring reviews of a book I'm about to read. So, how would I describe this book in just a few words? furtl is something akin to 1984 fused with the movie Idiocracy; however, with a bit more of a technology angle. Don't get me wrong, I love Idiocracy and think it was a hilarious, yet telling movie, and the way we keep relinquishing our freedom of privacy, a large 1984, so easily (and companies keep finding more clever ways of convincing us to not worry about it) and choosing popular, yet not smart people, into elected positions (or the people with the most money or offering the most free handouts) the ideas easily wind together through this novel.
So, how about the story? I love reading any type of scifi, fantasy or technology oriented fiction. This one fit the bill for a tech thriller and had my interest after the first few chapters. The pacing picked up fairly quickly and while not all characters were fully developed, they didn't need to be as the main character was, as well as the story itself. Some things were skipped over at the beginning, but semi-revealed later in the story.
Oh yeah, one more thing... some people complained about the use of language and how difficulty/strange/silly it was when spoken by many of the characters in the book. Quite simply, if we continue to allow netspeak insinuate itself into our language, you will be speaking like the characters in this book in 10-15 years. So that in itself is quite telling about our society. Is it silly and makes you want to slap someone? Yes, but unfortunately that is what happens when you let kids drive linguistics. ;)
I, personally, do not care for long drawn out boring reviews of a book I'm about to read. So, how would I describe this book in just a few words? furtl is something akin to 1984 fused with the movie Idiocracy; however, with a bit more of a technology angle. Don't get me wrong, I love Idiocracy and think it was a hilarious, yet telling movie, and the way we keep relinquishing our freedom of privacy, a large 1984, so easily (and companies keep finding more clever ways of convincing us to not worry about it) and choosing popular, yet not smart people, into elected positions (or the people with the most money or offering the most free handouts) the ideas easily wind together through this novel.
So, how about the story? I love reading any type of scifi, fantasy or technology oriented fiction. This one fit the bill for a tech thriller and had my interest after the first few chapters. The pacing picked up fairly quickly and while not all characters were fully developed, they didn't need to be as the main character was, as well as the story itself. Some things were skipped over at the beginning, but semi-revealed later in the story.
Oh yeah, one more thing... some people complained about the use of language and how difficulty/strange/silly it was when spoken by many of the characters in the book. Quite simply, if we continue to allow netspeak insinuate itself into our language, you will be speaking like the characters in this book in 10-15 years. So that in itself is quite telling about our society. Is it silly and makes you want to slap someone? Yes, but unfortunately that is what happens when you let kids drive linguistics. ;)
February 12, 2015
Disclaimer: I got this book free and was asked to review it in return.
I ended up enjoying this more than I thought I would - I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with dystopia books and I am glad this fell on more on the love side of the spectrum.
Chapter 1 is more of a prologue - and my first thoughts were that this really reminded me of Jennifer Government, then that I could see 'teens' ending up talking like the girls in this book do - and man, that was a depressing thought!
You start to get a plot with chapter 2 and it was a pretty good one - some things were obvious (the return of was the biggest) but on the whole this was quite refreshing.
There were a couple of things I didn't like - the use of acronyms was way OTT (see what I did there :P) but it was fitting (just annoying) - also the almost overuse of brackets (luckily this was mainly kept to the earlier chapters). Sometimes the use was legitimate but other times the 'asides' were unnecessary and I actually found them somewhat jarring to the flow of the book.
I also wish this book was set further in the future - I would say the setting is somewhere in the 2030's and there are several references to 'key' events taking place in 2015 - which we are now in. To me dysotopia works best either in a 'future' setting or a 'past' one - not concurrent.... If, for example some of the events - metadatagate - were said to have happened in 2020 or even 2030 I could have bought into this a teeny bit more.
My final niggle was that the chapters had sub-chapters - not something which I am a personal fan of.
As a whole though this is a really enjoyable read, and should be thought provoking to most who read it. I'd certainly check out other books by this author.
I ended up enjoying this more than I thought I would - I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with dystopia books and I am glad this fell on more on the love side of the spectrum.
Chapter 1 is more of a prologue - and my first thoughts were that this really reminded me of Jennifer Government, then that I could see 'teens' ending up talking like the girls in this book do - and man, that was a depressing thought!
You start to get a plot with chapter 2 and it was a pretty good one - some things were obvious (the return of was the biggest) but on the whole this was quite refreshing.
There were a couple of things I didn't like - the use of acronyms was way OTT (see what I did there :P) but it was fitting (just annoying) - also the almost overuse of brackets (luckily this was mainly kept to the earlier chapters). Sometimes the use was legitimate but other times the 'asides' were unnecessary and I actually found them somewhat jarring to the flow of the book.
I also wish this book was set further in the future - I would say the setting is somewhere in the 2030's and there are several references to 'key' events taking place in 2015 - which we are now in. To me dysotopia works best either in a 'future' setting or a 'past' one - not concurrent.... If, for example some of the events - metadatagate - were said to have happened in 2020 or even 2030 I could have bought into this a teeny bit more.
My final niggle was that the chapters had sub-chapters - not something which I am a personal fan of.
As a whole though this is a really enjoyable read, and should be thought provoking to most who read it. I'd certainly check out other books by this author.
July 28, 2016
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Furtl is definitely a unique book. The witty humor of the book definitely lasts throughout the entire story, while the satire hides a darker human nature that we have seen and continue to see unfolding in front of our eyes in the world. The author took a unique approach to blast the political and social networking community.
The ideas and the delivery of this story were entertaining to read, but some of the lingo definitely got in the way of the flow for me personally. I appreciate the lingo and the nicknames and their added satire for the story, but I do feel as though it could have been cut down a bit to add more weight to each one, rather than to bombard the reader with so much. This could have a negative affect on a reader who was possibly not as versed on current affairs, thus eliminating a large possible audience base.
Overall, I do recommend furtl, for its unique language and the amount of times it made me laugh. A solid 3.5 stars for me.
**I received a copy of this book for free with For Love of a Book's Read & Review Opportunity Program
Furtl is definitely a unique book. The witty humor of the book definitely lasts throughout the entire story, while the satire hides a darker human nature that we have seen and continue to see unfolding in front of our eyes in the world. The author took a unique approach to blast the political and social networking community.
The ideas and the delivery of this story were entertaining to read, but some of the lingo definitely got in the way of the flow for me personally. I appreciate the lingo and the nicknames and their added satire for the story, but I do feel as though it could have been cut down a bit to add more weight to each one, rather than to bombard the reader with so much. This could have a negative affect on a reader who was possibly not as versed on current affairs, thus eliminating a large possible audience base.
Overall, I do recommend furtl, for its unique language and the amount of times it made me laugh. A solid 3.5 stars for me.
**I received a copy of this book for free with For Love of a Book's Read & Review Opportunity Program
September 27, 2015
An amazing read! I had no idea what to expect, but damn I enjoyed this! I was so impressed with the writing, but even further, I was impressed by the spot on relevance of the satirical nature of the book. A few times, I found myself wondering if Strobe was a disgruntled Google employee spilling all of their secrets! It's crazy how detailed this book is and anybody reading should take care to realize that much of the insane ideas and tactics Strobe writes about either have happened, will happen or ARE happening, right now. This is satire on steroids. I can't believe nobody else has commented that they'd wondered if Strobe was an "insider" at one of the giant tech firms.
As I was reading, I could visualize the scenes playing out as if I was watching a film. I think this could definitely do well in that medium and I'll send good energy Strobe's way for it to happen. The novel is THAT good!
This is one that I will forever be proud of owning and I'm glad to have discovered Strobe Witherspoon. As it turns out, Strobe's mother is right!
As I was reading, I could visualize the scenes playing out as if I was watching a film. I think this could definitely do well in that medium and I'll send good energy Strobe's way for it to happen. The novel is THAT good!
This is one that I will forever be proud of owning and I'm glad to have discovered Strobe Witherspoon. As it turns out, Strobe's mother is right!
March 26, 2016
Imagine a future with the extreme political ends of the spectrum gone wild. This is like a girls gone wild story with tech companies wielding control over leaders and society itself. It’s 2026 and our worst nightmares about loss of privacy and individualism have been realized. People are oblivious to their role as lemmings being blindly led. Witherspoon has cleverly manufactured a future that’s outrageous and yet within the scope of possibility. He skews both the political right and the left while simultaneously delivering up a world driven by corporate greed and manipulation. It’s clever satire that demonstrates how technology could get even more dangerous than it is today, in the hands of greedy, power-hungry people. If that reminds one of some recent headlines, all the more reason to be afraid of this frightening look at a bizarre yet possibly real future.
September 28, 2015
Intersting political satire involving something that is very close to our day to day lives. Technology! A premise that we can easily feel ourselves being pulled in as it is actually not so far away with what we hear about everything that surrounds sus in the social media.
Different from the pack, Manny the creator of Furtle is reluctant to sell out user information to the government (don't we wish), whilst his team does not see anything morally wrong with it (everyone else is doing it!).
Interesting and reflective reading.
Different from the pack, Manny the creator of Furtle is reluctant to sell out user information to the government (don't we wish), whilst his team does not see anything morally wrong with it (everyone else is doing it!).
Interesting and reflective reading.
August 1, 2016
This is what I want and expect out of every book I pick up but am so often let down. Furtl is awesome, hilarious, thought provoking, and Strobe might just be the reincarnation of Nostradamus because I can definitely see some of this happening in the future. This grim future where Nickelback is revered as the greatest band of all time and elitists hunt dolphins for sport. This allegorical nightmare that is already beginning in small ways evidenced by the augmented reality people live on in Facebook and the ubiquitous image of everyone staring at their phones.
February 21, 2015
This book is a quick satirical look at what is currently happening in our world today. Furtl has excellent pacing and you can see the author's love of language by how the characters communicate. I happily stumbled across this book after reading several disturbing articles about the state of online information sharing and how corporations could use it.
This is a must read to fans of satire, and even science fiction and adventure, entertaining and captivating read. Highly recommended.
This is a must read to fans of satire, and even science fiction and adventure, entertaining and captivating read. Highly recommended.
May 15, 2016
Delightful and disturbing read
I normally don't write reviews because I am neither writer nor critic. But then I noticed the blurb on book cover by the author's mom (very funny). Very entertaining read of near future dystopian America that may seem far fetched. But upon reflection, it feels apropos and just waiting around the corner. If you liked E. Client's Ready Player One read this book. Very witty and entertaining
I normally don't write reviews because I am neither writer nor critic. But then I noticed the blurb on book cover by the author's mom (very funny). Very entertaining read of near future dystopian America that may seem far fetched. But upon reflection, it feels apropos and just waiting around the corner. If you liked E. Client's Ready Player One read this book. Very witty and entertaining
February 26, 2022
Really great read other than the fact that the Kindle edition basically went insane at the end and kept looping backwards rather than turning pages forward. But I can't hold that against the book. I'd suggest people read this because it's ideas are pretty important.
March 6, 2016
It reminded me of 1984, but for the Google generation. It was fun but also intelligently poked at some serious issues that will be a part of our landscape for years to come.
March 2, 2014
As usual I received this book free in exchange for a review. This time the author contacted me directly. Despite that kindness I give my scrupulously honest opinion below.
The nutshell sketch of this is that it paints a portrait of a world decades in the future that has gone mad under the influence of technology run amok. Everything in the book has a close modern parallel. Furtl is probable Google. There's a close relative of the Patriot Act. The NSA is now the DCS (Department of Cultural Security). You get the idea. The book represents our modern world and government taken to absurd lengths.
In most cases this is the part of the review where I give positives and negatives but I find myself ill equipped to do so this time as I found the book just too thinly drawn to the insane. I enjoy a good farce as much as the proverbial next person but this just struck me like a gent with too much time on his hands plopping down the most absurd thing that came to mind. Good humor mixes the absurd with the real and this was just too absurd. It wasn't funny it was just insane.
In summary, do I recommend this book? Not really? It has an intensely liberal lean to it which I'm fine with but it just plows a furrow too outside the bounds of reality. As the Brits might put it, this one is over the top. Give it a go if you insist, but don't get your hopes up.
The nutshell sketch of this is that it paints a portrait of a world decades in the future that has gone mad under the influence of technology run amok. Everything in the book has a close modern parallel. Furtl is probable Google. There's a close relative of the Patriot Act. The NSA is now the DCS (Department of Cultural Security). You get the idea. The book represents our modern world and government taken to absurd lengths.
In most cases this is the part of the review where I give positives and negatives but I find myself ill equipped to do so this time as I found the book just too thinly drawn to the insane. I enjoy a good farce as much as the proverbial next person but this just struck me like a gent with too much time on his hands plopping down the most absurd thing that came to mind. Good humor mixes the absurd with the real and this was just too absurd. It wasn't funny it was just insane.
In summary, do I recommend this book? Not really? It has an intensely liberal lean to it which I'm fine with but it just plows a furrow too outside the bounds of reality. As the Brits might put it, this one is over the top. Give it a go if you insist, but don't get your hopes up.
February 29, 2016
This book became more relevant as I read it due the issue with Apple and the FBI.
Satire, in my estimation, can be tough to pull off. It is easy, it seems, to become to clownish with the jokes. An author can spend so much time evolving current trends to an absurd state that the story suffers. Strobe Witherspoon is careful to avoid this and tells a pretty good tale.
The book starts with a bang, and you are immediately in a world with its own language; something that takes l33t to an extreme. I found this all so believable and even suffered through being an old fuddy-duddy because I didn't always know what was being said. I like to call these furtl-isms because Witherspoon was very crafty with them. The recipes incorporating bacon were funny in and of themselves. My favorite was ROF (reversal of fortune), and like a practiced comedian, Witherspoon knew when to do a call back to get a good laugh. I plan on using ROF in my life when appropriate.
My one critique would be that things get wrapped up very quickly at the end, but this is minor. The story was complete. I would like to know what happened to some of the characters from the one political group, but again, this is minor.
Very enjoyable!
Satire, in my estimation, can be tough to pull off. It is easy, it seems, to become to clownish with the jokes. An author can spend so much time evolving current trends to an absurd state that the story suffers. Strobe Witherspoon is careful to avoid this and tells a pretty good tale.
The book starts with a bang, and you are immediately in a world with its own language; something that takes l33t to an extreme. I found this all so believable and even suffered through being an old fuddy-duddy because I didn't always know what was being said. I like to call these furtl-isms because Witherspoon was very crafty with them. The recipes incorporating bacon were funny in and of themselves. My favorite was ROF (reversal of fortune), and like a practiced comedian, Witherspoon knew when to do a call back to get a good laugh. I plan on using ROF in my life when appropriate.
My one critique would be that things get wrapped up very quickly at the end, but this is minor. The story was complete. I would like to know what happened to some of the characters from the one political group, but again, this is minor.
Very enjoyable!
February 18, 2014
This book is very topical in the wake of all the data mining being done by the government (see NSA) and the private sector.
Witherspoon writes an entertaining story that may not be too much of a stretch in the not so distant future.
I like futuristic Dystopian tales, and this fits the bill perfectly, mixed with political satire at its best.
furtl doesn't take itself too seriously,which is a refreshing change from other books,I've read in this genre.
If his other books are going to be like this,I look forward to reading them.
Witherspoon writes an entertaining story that may not be too much of a stretch in the not so distant future.
I like futuristic Dystopian tales, and this fits the bill perfectly, mixed with political satire at its best.
furtl doesn't take itself too seriously,which is a refreshing change from other books,I've read in this genre.
If his other books are going to be like this,I look forward to reading them.
June 21, 2016
* I received this book through the group For Love of a Book in exchange for a honest review*
This isn't my type of book. All about politics and tons of new lingo.
I found the book annoying but, if you like politics and an over exaggeration of our government and life then you will love it.
Futuristic and full of points that are reminiscent of the American society now, it really hit the mark it was wanting to hit.
Definitely worth a read if this is your kind of thing.
This isn't my type of book. All about politics and tons of new lingo.
I found the book annoying but, if you like politics and an over exaggeration of our government and life then you will love it.
Futuristic and full of points that are reminiscent of the American society now, it really hit the mark it was wanting to hit.
Definitely worth a read if this is your kind of thing.
March 6, 2017
this book breathes life into the old saying, "just because you are paranoid does not mean your tinfoil hat is not beneficial." Manny, Muffin Top, Osgood, Wainright, and Eyore are all characters that will long stay with me.I recommended this book by a buddy who is great at finding off the radar books.
May 11, 2014
I can't believe I wasted so much time on this. I'm not even sure how I got it: I think I must have accidentally dropped a comment in a "free for review" thread. Well, he's getting his review, for what it's worth.
This book can't make up its mind where it wants to go. The cover blurb would suggest it's supposed to be satire, but it fails by not being remotely funny. The opening chapter has three kids get into a serious accident in a hands-free car, but half-way through the book (as far as I can manage) that's failed to show any relevance. So, our hero, Manny feels responsible for the creation of a Facebook-like social network, that ends up being used by a despotic government for the monitoring and control of the populace. But when he finds people who oppose the government, they're so ludicrously incompetent that we can't imagine how they haven't been caught and imprisoned.
The editing is weak (cache is not the same as cachet! Please don't use words you don't know.) My best laugh actually came when one of the Lefteas complained that Manny's software had incorrectly transcribed a voicemail: "...it's time to return to caring agrarian structures which redistribute...." He's incensed that the software used "which" when it should have used "that" — but the author doesn't himself have the slightest clue when to use either, and so invariably uses "that"!
But to my mind, the greatest flaw is one that is fairly common in bad science fiction. Instead of doing research, and basing his technology on advances beyond today's tech, Witherspoon makes up words and, with a bit of handwaving, tries to convince us that it's probable. The same goes for his world-knowledge. When Manny is forced out of his company, he leaves the US and goes to live in remote Western Bhutan, working in an orphanage (Gag me! What a trite trope.) where he learns the language of Tchanchzka. Why make up a language? There are any number of real languages known only to a "small, insulated group of academics" (though, naturally, Manny will encounter one of this small group completely by chance, for no better reason than to further whatever plot there may be).
April 15, 2015
So furtl.
This book was confusing in bits and hard hitting in others. I've often wondered about the perils of pushing data out on the World Wide Web and this book explored that. It explored the consequences of having parties use our data for their own benefit.
It was scary to think of how this was being implemented in our daily lives. Google uses our search history when they are placing ads to show those most relevant to our 'Most Recent' searches. Facebook uses a similar algorithm to place the advertisements too.
But the drawback of this book lies in the writing. The blurb lets you think that there is something much more murky than what is written. While trying to keep the narrative crisp and light and write in parody, the result i something which is not RELEVANT and often absurd. It took an enormous amount of patience to read and think about this book in a way that was other than nonsensical.
There were so many instances of the narrative slipping and when the circumstances were being explained about furtl payments and the various acts that had degraded the US society, it felt like a narrative happening without taking the reader along the ride and that was sad. It was sad to think that a book that could have been so much better had the narrative been serious.
I wish the writer learns from this. The book has a lot of potential and indeed, the issue that the book presents is a very scary prospect. To think that the Government would micro-spy every sentence we push on social media is not only blasphemous but also a violation of as many constitutional rights as are prescribed.
This book was confusing in bits and hard hitting in others. I've often wondered about the perils of pushing data out on the World Wide Web and this book explored that. It explored the consequences of having parties use our data for their own benefit.
It was scary to think of how this was being implemented in our daily lives. Google uses our search history when they are placing ads to show those most relevant to our 'Most Recent' searches. Facebook uses a similar algorithm to place the advertisements too.
But the drawback of this book lies in the writing. The blurb lets you think that there is something much more murky than what is written. While trying to keep the narrative crisp and light and write in parody, the result i something which is not RELEVANT and often absurd. It took an enormous amount of patience to read and think about this book in a way that was other than nonsensical.
There were so many instances of the narrative slipping and when the circumstances were being explained about furtl payments and the various acts that had degraded the US society, it felt like a narrative happening without taking the reader along the ride and that was sad. It was sad to think that a book that could have been so much better had the narrative been serious.
I wish the writer learns from this. The book has a lot of potential and indeed, the issue that the book presents is a very scary prospect. To think that the Government would micro-spy every sentence we push on social media is not only blasphemous but also a violation of as many constitutional rights as are prescribed.
August 15, 2020
Formulaic. Won't stick with you after a few weeks.
June 16, 2021
It didn't "do it" for me..may just not b e my thing
February 17, 2015
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
Internet privacy and corruption in politics being two of my favorite interest areas, I quickly requested a copy of this eBook when it was offered. It is billed as a near-future satire, and is set in a world where the present-day concerns about technology, privacy, and their nefarious effect on the political system have been fulfilled in all of their extremes. Every aspect of people's lives - lived completely online, of course - are monitored by the government, and conformity to the law is enforced by the Gestapo-like DCS, ensuring that crimes against culture, the government, etc., are quickly answered by sending the culprit to re-education camps. Additionally, the reliance on technology and Internet modes of communication have debased all kinds of communication - but most importantly for this story, political communication - to the level of emoticons and AIM abbreviations. (Yes, I know, I'm showing my technological age here.)
In execution, this book reminded me strongly of the movie Idiocracy, with some elements of Soviet Russia thrown in. People are living fat and happy, unless they happen to be one of the unfortunates who run afoul of the DCS. The author references a wide variety of modern-day groups and figures, including politicians who leave to conduct illicit activities (dolphin-spearing, in this case) and give it another name ("chasing the D train"), as well as New Age-y types who refuse vaccinations, and online commenters who can't write proper grammar or a coherent thought.
My thoughts: Although this was billed as a satire, I found it more clever than funny. Some of the targets were extremely low-hanging fruit (like, hello, who *hasn't* satirized ditzy teenage girls?), while others were spot on (people who argue for more rational debate in political discussions, but who digress into monologues of incoherent elegance). I started playing the "spot the modern reference" game early, and the author definitely delivers. If you are the sort of person who enjoys reading the news and watching The Daily Show, then you will get something out of this book. I did have some issues with the plot, in that in some areas it plodded around and I wasn't sure the author was going to wrap it all up (he does). Also, given the sketch-nature of satire, it can sometimes be hard to get to know the characters well enough to care about them. Still, I would recommend this book, not because it's pointing out something that we're unaware of, but because, given Jon Stewart's departure from TDS, it's going to be harder and harder to find people willing to point it out.
Internet privacy and corruption in politics being two of my favorite interest areas, I quickly requested a copy of this eBook when it was offered. It is billed as a near-future satire, and is set in a world where the present-day concerns about technology, privacy, and their nefarious effect on the political system have been fulfilled in all of their extremes. Every aspect of people's lives - lived completely online, of course - are monitored by the government, and conformity to the law is enforced by the Gestapo-like DCS, ensuring that crimes against culture, the government, etc., are quickly answered by sending the culprit to re-education camps. Additionally, the reliance on technology and Internet modes of communication have debased all kinds of communication - but most importantly for this story, political communication - to the level of emoticons and AIM abbreviations. (Yes, I know, I'm showing my technological age here.)
In execution, this book reminded me strongly of the movie Idiocracy, with some elements of Soviet Russia thrown in. People are living fat and happy, unless they happen to be one of the unfortunates who run afoul of the DCS. The author references a wide variety of modern-day groups and figures, including politicians who leave to conduct illicit activities (dolphin-spearing, in this case) and give it another name ("chasing the D train"), as well as New Age-y types who refuse vaccinations, and online commenters who can't write proper grammar or a coherent thought.
My thoughts: Although this was billed as a satire, I found it more clever than funny. Some of the targets were extremely low-hanging fruit (like, hello, who *hasn't* satirized ditzy teenage girls?), while others were spot on (people who argue for more rational debate in political discussions, but who digress into monologues of incoherent elegance). I started playing the "spot the modern reference" game early, and the author definitely delivers. If you are the sort of person who enjoys reading the news and watching The Daily Show, then you will get something out of this book. I did have some issues with the plot, in that in some areas it plodded around and I wasn't sure the author was going to wrap it all up (he does). Also, given the sketch-nature of satire, it can sometimes be hard to get to know the characters well enough to care about them. Still, I would recommend this book, not because it's pointing out something that we're unaware of, but because, given Jon Stewart's departure from TDS, it's going to be harder and harder to find people willing to point it out.
January 28, 2014
furtl, by Strobe Witherspoon was witheringly on point. A satirical play on political thrillers, this story could have been ripped from today's headlines. Unfortunately for me, it was less readable than many of today's headlines. My main stumbling block was that Witherspoon's running joke on our society's over reliance on acronyms can sometimes make the text read like an OSHA training manual.
Also, I don't think I am the target audience for this book. I like my satire more universally digestible; like Douglas Adams. Many passages in furtl left me feeling like I did while reading Gulliver's Travels, when I needed footnotes to explain why Swift's jokes were funny. Those more technically savvy probably wouldn't have this difficulty.
It is obvious from Witherspoon's often unbroken pages of exposition that he spent some time and effort imagining this world in depth. His wit shines through, even to one who does not have a twitter account. And like a good satirist is supposed to, he points out several worrisome aspects in our culture's current direction of travel. I would recommend this book to fans of the movie Idiocracy and as a gift to any right-leaning Information Professional you don't mind needling a little bit.
Also, I don't think I am the target audience for this book. I like my satire more universally digestible; like Douglas Adams. Many passages in furtl left me feeling like I did while reading Gulliver's Travels, when I needed footnotes to explain why Swift's jokes were funny. Those more technically savvy probably wouldn't have this difficulty.
It is obvious from Witherspoon's often unbroken pages of exposition that he spent some time and effort imagining this world in depth. His wit shines through, even to one who does not have a twitter account. And like a good satirist is supposed to, he points out several worrisome aspects in our culture's current direction of travel. I would recommend this book to fans of the movie Idiocracy and as a gift to any right-leaning Information Professional you don't mind needling a little bit.
June 11, 2014
How can a book with a recommendation from the authors mum on the front cover be anything but good? Strobes début novel hits the ball out of the park. In this world full of technology, driven by social media and the desire to be connected at all time. Strobe with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek, takes aim and fires an intelligent and insightful satirical broadside at the world today and what it might become.
The story is set in the distant future were the American internet company Furtl, which has integrated itself into every aspect of Americans life, is starting to lose the battle against the Chinese alternative Holospace machines. Without giving the stories away lets just say this is a story of private business taking over the country by using politicians as their puppets. The few control the masses through fear thus increasing their profits lines. It is a story of one man trying to make amends and give power back to the people.
As a techno-freak I had a big grin on my face through most of this book. There is one frightening aspect of this book, and that is the story is not that much a stretch of the imagination. I believe the author has given birth to a new genre, Dystopian Militant Buddhism Political Satire.
The story is set in the distant future were the American internet company Furtl, which has integrated itself into every aspect of Americans life, is starting to lose the battle against the Chinese alternative Holospace machines. Without giving the stories away lets just say this is a story of private business taking over the country by using politicians as their puppets. The few control the masses through fear thus increasing their profits lines. It is a story of one man trying to make amends and give power back to the people.
As a techno-freak I had a big grin on my face through most of this book. There is one frightening aspect of this book, and that is the story is not that much a stretch of the imagination. I believe the author has given birth to a new genre, Dystopian Militant Buddhism Political Satire.
May 24, 2016
Review: furtl by Strobe Witherspoon
So you think privacy, personal and global, suffers too many inroads these days? Think governments [everywhere] know too much and abuse that knowledge? HA! Read furtl: a very-near future, very societally-dystopian, very "sell to the highest bidder," very mentally-ruined citizenry, narrative. Beware: dumbing-down is NOT a slow process; and the setting of furtl is NOT far ahead. Beware.
So you think privacy, personal and global, suffers too many inroads these days? Think governments [everywhere] know too much and abuse that knowledge? HA! Read furtl: a very-near future, very societally-dystopian, very "sell to the highest bidder," very mentally-ruined citizenry, narrative. Beware: dumbing-down is NOT a slow process; and the setting of furtl is NOT far ahead. Beware.
March 30, 2015
Perfectly priced, dystopian, yes please! If you are a fan of the dystopian genre, then this is the book for you. I cannot stress enough how much enjoyed this book, especially considering it was not too long to get boring. I bore very easily and this book kept my attention through-out it all, and I couldn't stop reading it!
October 25, 2015
Midrange post apocalyptic novel about the guy who brought about the apocalypse.
It's been done a lot. Guy with good intentions invents something that ruins everything, disappears for awhile and then comes back to make it right. Ho hum.
It's been done a lot. Guy with good intentions invents something that ruins everything, disappears for awhile and then comes back to make it right. Ho hum.
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