Turn of the Century

Rating:
Summary: Quite a let-down
Review: I acquired Turn of the Century with high anticipation. A fan of the old Spy, I was sold by the frequent comparisons to Tom Wolfe, one of my favorite authors/social commentators. This book was quite a let-down, however. I forced myself to pick it up several times despite my complete lack of interest in any of the characters. I thought I would surely begin to like it at some point given the author's pedigree and the marketing claims behind it. It never happened, though - I found the book to be a pointless encyclopedia of the modern entertainment industry and culture, lacking in deeper insight, narrative force, or emotional impact.

Rating:
Summary: Prescient Read... In Light Of JFK, Jr. Demise
Review: I enjoyed this novel possibly because I'm in the IT field and I seriously miss Spy magazine. But, after the JFK, Jr. tragedy, this weekend, I couldn't help but go back to the book and re-read the last couple of pages. If you've read the book, you know many of Andersen's technological "spoofs" are real or will be in the next year or so. Yet, I got goose pimples re-reading the last 2 pages in light of this weekend's events. Even the name of the character... eerie.

Rating:
Summary: A snooze by an editor who badly needs an editor
Review: This isnt a novel, it's a screed with a few potted jokes, most delivered with hamhanded timing, about the author's pals in the New York media, a world that I'm sure fascinates us all. A few passages come alive, the characters never do. (Dick Tracy was more three-dimensional.) As a piece of hype, it's the literary equivalent of the movie Titanic. As a piece of literature, it's the faux-literary equivalent of the boat Titanic. Save yourself.

Rating:
Summary: This is one of tthe better books I have read.
Review: This book takes place in the not so distant future...2000 to be exact.What intrigues me about this book is the combination of media,i.e. cable TV as we know it today, and its convergence with computer technology. The author takes great pains to try to separate the two media, but makes the joining of the two seem imminent. There are interesting ideas for even more cable networks (the Chopper Channel is a hoot)but more importantly the privacy issues raised by the hacker characters give the reader something to ponder about privacy. It's not a particularly long book and is really a quick read.There is also a section or so about the trading of stocks that illustrates the business end of the industry, that gives one an idea about how little tangible goods are produced. One caveat...Bill Gates figures prominently in the book, for evil or good, I won't say, but if you're a reader,media and/or computer buff, this is a book I would heartily recommend. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Rating:
Summary: Just one question, may I?
Review: What is Kurt's problem with Mormons

Rating:
Summary: A fun read
Review: This book was thoroughly enjoyable. Kurt Anderson has an entertaining and very interesting writing style. Great final 100 pages. I highly recommend Turn of the Century.

Rating:
Summary: Comparisons to "Bonfire" are apt
Review: Reading these reviews, it seems to be quite a controversial book... people either love it or hate it, with little middle ground. I loved it in quite the same way I loved "Bonfire of the Vanities," as a comedy very much of the time. There were so many good ideas on almost every page, several of which would seem to be the catalyst for novels of their own. As a snapshot of our times, the novel's windows on LA, NY, Seattle, software and media were so funny and appalling. And as a guy who works peripherally in the TV business, the TV parts seemed very accurate. I had a major difficulty with the ultimate fate of a major character (and I'd appreciate an e-mail from someone who can explain this unmotivated plot development late in the book---what did I miss?) but I really enjoyed this novel. I wonder what people who complain that this book was "boring" were reading.

Rating:
Summary: Long, boring and ultimately pointless.
Review: As social satire, I suppose that this book has some value. It effectively reveals the silliness of the television industry, for example. As a novel, however, this book is not very good at all. It is almost impossible to relate to or care about any of the characters (unless you're a television producer or Silicon valley executive, perhaps.) The plot is unengaging and somewhat implausible. In contrast, Bonfire of the Vanities had a good story to tell and interesting (if not sympathetic) characters. In Wolfe's novel, you actually cared to find out how the book turned out. It's a boring book that you will forget all about the day after you finish reading it. As Jerry Seinfeld once said, "If I want a long, boring story with no point to it, I've got my life."

Rating:
Summary: Sharply satirical, excellent debut novel about our times
Review: This is to the 90's what Tom Wolfe's "The Bonfire of the Vanities" is to the 80's, although saying "Turn of the Century" pales in comparison is not an overstatement. Andersen's debut novel asks a lot from his readers: they must possess more than a passing interest in technology, business, finance and the entertainment industry--and have a deep appreciation of satire and all things ironic. That said, he cleverly skewers our society's mores, and creates many indelible characters in the process. Are any of the characters or events farfetched? Hardly. I also found myself imagining WHO will ultimately be caste in the film version. Note to Mr. Andersen: Don't let Hollywood do to yours what they did to Tom Wolfe's masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous, satirical take on media, technology, and wealth
Review: Kurt Anderson has pegged it. Since finishing Turn of the Century, I am reminded over and over again of how precise, how deliciously satirical it is. Everyday happenings and conversations, news stories about media and technology -- everything reminds me of something that could have happened to Anderson's characters. He is dead on in his interpretation of our taking ourselves and our nation's wealth too seriously. Plus, Chapter 48 wraps up a wonderful subplot that no one who uses Windows should go without reading. Bravo!