Jennifer Government

An Incredible Follow-Up to ¿Syrup¿

Usually when an author attempts to introduce their cast of characters individually, and thread them together throughout the story, it turns into disjointed, mess. The book turns into several five hundred page novels of no less than three volumes, the characters take a back seat to a convoluted plot, and the story moves a turtles pace, while the reader hopes the author stops being coy, and gets the characters together, so they can get on with the story. This is not the case with Max Barry¿s latest novel, Jennifer Government, however. The novel centers around several characters living in a not so distant, and not altogether unrealistic future, where corporations run everything, and one¿s job determines their surname. (hence the title, named after the novel¿s protagonist) Barry takes the time to make his readers invest something in his carefully crafted characters, and moves the plot along at a break-neck pace, making the book almost impossible to put down. Add to that that, the book is also satirical in nature, and neither the story or characters suffer, and you have a very enjoyable thought-provoking read. The book makes it¿s point(s) without beating the reader over the head, and the moral questions asked of the reader are presented in such an open-ended way it allows them to come to their own conclusions. A funny, challenging book, which will be part of high school reading curriculums in years to come.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Awesome

I first heard about this book on Barry's Nationstates game, so I decided to check it out.. I'm glad I did! It's hilarious, full of witty comments and odd twists

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good Read

Not only is this book a difference from everyday books, it is intresting and makes you want to read on. Plus, the author is Austrialian, so I can use the book for a school project on foreign world authors. Yeah!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Definitely Worth Reading

This book was fast-paced but far from being fluff. The whole premise was brilliant and made an enjoyable read.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

best near-future SF in a long time

John Nike is the best literary villain we've seen in a long while. He's the guy you love to hate! Max Barry has managed to blend outrageous, hilarious social satire with an (almost) believable plot and characters who seem real. Barry's corporate-ruled world seems possible, and only just barely in the future. I spent the book laughing, and also being very, very afraid.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The Pinnacle of 'Capitalizm'

Max Barry creates a world (more like an 'America') ruled in a nearly absolute free market society. Due to budget restrictions in a world where contracts and profits mean more to people than the quality of human life, the government wields its power in an 'equal' playing field with the wheelings and dealings of coporations, monopolies, merges, and coporate takeovers. I gave this book 4 and a half stars as opposed to 5 because the falling action all the way to the book's ending seemed like it was rushed in its efforts to end the book by 300 pages and it didn't take enough time to intricately gel the characters in the end as Barry so brilliantly did in its build-up. 'Jennifer Government' is still a great read despite my criticism on its ending. I enjoyed the book's evolution and transition from Hack's plight as a lowly Merc Officer at Nike to the stand-off between US Alliance and Team Advantage, although I didn't find the book as 'humorous' as many critics make it out to seem.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Jennifer Government

This book is a realistic look into a dystopian future, where companies would kill to make a buck. I strongly recommend this book to those that loved Brave New World and 1984.

Well+writen

A+quick+and+fun+read+that+also+provides+some+social+commentary.

Dystopia lite

The author said in the intro that he wanted to write an 'anti-1984'; a dystopia with the effective abolishment of government. While the world presented would suck to live in, it came nowhere near the dystopia Orwell presented - he fails to show the poverty that would exist in such a system, and in essence, the good guys win in the end. I like the book, but its no 1984 in terms of emotional reaction.

excellent satire

I love this book and recommend it to anyone.

I liked this book

The characters were great and the book moved at a nice pace that kept me interested throughout the whole ride. It had me smiling plenty of times and some of the ideas were fresh and original. The story is well told and I liked the style in which the author wrote. I have no problem recommending this one.

As a novel, not so good; as a social/political statement, OK

While the overall point of Jennifer Government is valid and should stimulate reflection, the completely predictable plot and cheesy characters leave the reader wondering if she should take Barry seriously. I would suggest it as a good book for high school reading, although the message should be introduced at an even younger level (i.e., the problems with an ultra-capitalist society, the social contract between the governed and the government).

Frighteningly, the dystopian society Barry describes is already too much like our own. Barry seems to suggest we will magically overcome this with a hero of some sort (and a few hippie kids will help out). Instead, what I choose to derive from Jennifer Government is this: less whining, less protesting, less waiting for one great hero; more large-scale action from the left, more people voting for socially just policies, more changing the laws to reflect the principle of equality our nation was founded on to protect the weak and not let the strong rise to infinite power, and less freedom at the expense of justice and fairness (gasp! here is where I am accused of being unpatriotic and 'socialist'). The story of America is not going to end with a hero killing the bad guy like Jennifer Government ends. Yes, I just gave away the ending, but if you read it you will figure this out LONG before the ending anyway.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

sweet

it was good and i thought it would be apealing to younger people becouse it s like actoin and like cool with guns but moslty it was very good!!!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

One of the best books I've read this year

The cover caught my eye in the window of the bookstore so I went in and read the synopsis. Then I ended up finishing the book in 2 days. It's AWESOME. It's fast-paced, packed with humor and imagines a world that's possibly just around the corner. It reminded me of William Gibson but less high-tech and more upbeat. (Don't get me wrong, I love Gibson and highly recommend his books as well!!)

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Capitalism Unleashed!

To speak only of a generalized storyline, would not do justice to Max Berry. Where capitalism reigns sovereign and all else is benign. This book is a hilarious, but strangely honest exploration of what the powers that be or might be in the future if limits are not made and individualism not revered. Completely enjoyable, deliciously apalling!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Best book I've read in a long time

Great book! Kind of reminded me of the film 'Brazil' with it's sharpness, satiric edge and observations.

Fast-Compelling Read

Max Berry intorduces a host of different characters, a compelling main character, and an evil villian. The story is an interweeving of these characters, into a story plot that has exitment at ever turn of the page.

Great Book

Working in a library, I tend not to buy books . . . for this book, I will make an exception! It has great characters and a fast story line. One of the best books I've read in a long time.

Jennifer Government----Barbie doll or extreme cop?

When I first heard about Jennifer Government, I read a review about it in USA Today, and decided to read it for myself. Jennifer Government is one of the better books I've read lately. It's fast-paced and humorous, with lots of likeable characters and a few unlikeable ones as well. The ending isn't as great as the rest of the book, but it still holds water.

one of my favorite books

this book is a must read for everyone. great characters and an awesome storyline.