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Exposure - Kurt Wenzel
Jul. 13th, 2007 12:05Title: Exposure
Author: Kurt Wenzel
Genre: Suspense
Rating: 5/10
# pages: 262
Date read: July 2007
Review: "Exposure" takes place in L.A. in the not too distant future, where electronic billboards have sprung up everywhere, dead stars are digitally manipulated to act in new commercials - and if you are anybody at all, you have a name in the media.
In this world a new religion of anti-media is rising, with a number of "Blackheads" following their elected leader, Mr. Black. Mr. Black has made himself known, by writing a book denouncing media and warning everybody about the dangers of overexposure. This book would probably never have been noticed anywhere, as anything other than the ravings of a lunatic, if it wasn't for the fact that no author was mentioned on the book. The cover was just black - giving the author the nickname "Mr. Black."
The last "real" movie star, Colt Reston, takes ill with a mysterious disease and his best friend is dedicated to finding out why and what it is. Matters become even more complicated when the digitally remastered Montomery Clift suddenly walks off his virtual set and disappears. How is it even possible for a digital being to break role and get out of character?
Is there a connection between all these mysteries? According to author Kurt Wenzel there is, as he weaves the plot lines together in his newest novel. Most of the time this works well, but unfortunately Kurt Wenzel did not manage to capture my attention quite as much as I would have liked. I felt that I was asked to accept too many plot holes and loose threads - meaning that I was left with a feeling of "Well, that's all well and good, but how do you explain this? What was the point of that?"
Mr. Wenzel would have done well with a more critical editor. It is still an interesting book and raises some valid points about a future we may be fast approaching, but it is not a book I would recommend without a bit of a disclaimer. (Written for Armchair interviews.)
Book List
Author: Kurt Wenzel
Genre: Suspense
Rating: 5/10
# pages: 262
Date read: July 2007
Review: "Exposure" takes place in L.A. in the not too distant future, where electronic billboards have sprung up everywhere, dead stars are digitally manipulated to act in new commercials - and if you are anybody at all, you have a name in the media.
In this world a new religion of anti-media is rising, with a number of "Blackheads" following their elected leader, Mr. Black. Mr. Black has made himself known, by writing a book denouncing media and warning everybody about the dangers of overexposure. This book would probably never have been noticed anywhere, as anything other than the ravings of a lunatic, if it wasn't for the fact that no author was mentioned on the book. The cover was just black - giving the author the nickname "Mr. Black."
The last "real" movie star, Colt Reston, takes ill with a mysterious disease and his best friend is dedicated to finding out why and what it is. Matters become even more complicated when the digitally remastered Montomery Clift suddenly walks off his virtual set and disappears. How is it even possible for a digital being to break role and get out of character?
Is there a connection between all these mysteries? According to author Kurt Wenzel there is, as he weaves the plot lines together in his newest novel. Most of the time this works well, but unfortunately Kurt Wenzel did not manage to capture my attention quite as much as I would have liked. I felt that I was asked to accept too many plot holes and loose threads - meaning that I was left with a feeling of "Well, that's all well and good, but how do you explain this? What was the point of that?"
Mr. Wenzel would have done well with a more critical editor. It is still an interesting book and raises some valid points about a future we may be fast approaching, but it is not a book I would recommend without a bit of a disclaimer. (Written for Armchair interviews.)
Book List
