Scan barcode
A review by philibin
I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
(Stars explained below)
So... I started reading Jason Pargin when he was still "David Wong" and releasing his chapters online. And I really thought it was unique and different and maybe even exciting. But then reality set in, and the accusations started coming in. Everyone said his books were misogynist, steeped in racial stereotypes, juvenile, trolling, and like an incel's manifesto. I've tried to separate that from my review, but it is difficult when the main male protagonist embodies most of these characteristics, but here goes:
The writing is really good, Pargin is excellent with dialog, and gives each character their own unique "voice". His characters are instantly familiar and he intertwines American subculture like no other. He maintains a constant, even, pace and while he is never boring, he might get a little to fantastical with situational events and outcomes. His world building skills are good, but you do have to suspend some belief in reality to accept his world, but if you do, you should enjoy his world. Where he lacks as a writer is with character growth. Most of his characters arrive fully formed and they don't "develop" as much as they share additional information to excuse their behavior. If you like Ready Player One, but prefer your writing less socially and self aware, this could be a good book for you. Basically, if you find yourself thinking that Joe Rogan would make a good story teller, this should be right up your alley. On writing alone, I'd give this book 4.5 Stars. It has a good beginning and while most of the events skirt the edges of believability, the middle of the book does a good job pulling you along with it and all the zany loose ends are neatly tied up.
If I look at this book under the lens of my own beliefs, politics, and societal norms... It is a disturbing look at humanity. It spends an incredible amount of time explaining and trying to justify (or maybe even normalize) the mistreatment of others. Like when you meet someone and they seem like a nice person, but then they start saying some problematic things about people who don't look like you, and it just makes you uncomfortable. And it is so obvious, the author even tries to write a disclaimer about it at the end of the book. So, based on that, I'd give this book a 2.
The narration is very good.
That is why I am giving this book a 3.5 Stars, and rounding it up to a 4, because had I not known about the author, or didn't listen to his "disclaimer"... It is what i would have rated this book.
So... I started reading Jason Pargin when he was still "David Wong" and releasing his chapters online. And I really thought it was unique and different and maybe even exciting. But then reality set in, and the accusations started coming in. Everyone said his books were misogynist, steeped in racial stereotypes, juvenile, trolling, and like an incel's manifesto. I've tried to separate that from my review, but it is difficult when the main male protagonist embodies most of these characteristics, but here goes:
The writing is really good, Pargin is excellent with dialog, and gives each character their own unique "voice". His characters are instantly familiar and he intertwines American subculture like no other. He maintains a constant, even, pace and while he is never boring, he might get a little to fantastical with situational events and outcomes. His world building skills are good, but you do have to suspend some belief in reality to accept his world, but if you do, you should enjoy his world. Where he lacks as a writer is with character growth. Most of his characters arrive fully formed and they don't "develop" as much as they share additional information to excuse their behavior. If you like Ready Player One, but prefer your writing less socially and self aware, this could be a good book for you. Basically, if you find yourself thinking that Joe Rogan would make a good story teller, this should be right up your alley. On writing alone, I'd give this book 4.5 Stars. It has a good beginning and while most of the events skirt the edges of believability, the middle of the book does a good job pulling you along with it and all the zany loose ends are neatly tied up.
If I look at this book under the lens of my own beliefs, politics, and societal norms... It is a disturbing look at humanity. It spends an incredible amount of time explaining and trying to justify (or maybe even normalize) the mistreatment of others. Like when you meet someone and they seem like a nice person, but then they start saying some problematic things about people who don't look like you, and it just makes you uncomfortable. And it is so obvious, the author even tries to write a disclaimer about it at the end of the book. So, based on that, I'd give this book a 2.
The narration is very good.
That is why I am giving this book a 3.5 Stars, and rounding it up to a 4, because had I not known about the author, or didn't listen to his "disclaimer"... It is what i would have rated this book.