This guy works for a NYC computer security firm tracking people and data that are trying to remain hidden. Twin Harvard silver spoon trust fund types hire the firm, the guy in particular cuz they all went to Hahvahd together, to find their half-brother (or was it step brother). Said brother is a virtual artist/gamer. Best way to find a virtual gamer is to join the game. The guy joins the game thru a virtual artist's studio (they are trying to perfect the holy grail of virtual reality - just think of the only non-retail genre on the internet actually making any money - to track down the brother. The game is based on some book about the Marquis de Sade and to move through the game the user has to post videos of progressive depravity.
Like I said, a real struggle. There were probably 4 or 5 times I could have put this down, from the ridiculous plot to the overly technical virtual lingo and technology to the disgustingly obscene scenes in the game or the gorilla videoing necessary to advance in the game. To me, it was like trying to avoid looking at a train wreck, but you just can't. And the ending left me entirely cold. Reader reviews on Goodreads were mostly loved it/hated it.
Part of the reason I kept going was that I was waiting for my name to come to the top of the wait list at the library; put it down and I had nothing to read. Am I glad I didn't pay for this thing. Thankfully, Alex Berenson's latest arrived last night.
East Coast Don
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