Rating: 5/5
Review:
Thoughtful and involving
I thought An Absolutely Remarkable Thing was excellent. This was
something of a surprise because I am, shall we say, cautious about
novels featuring aliens. However, although non-terrestrial entities
are the driver of the book, it is chiefly about internet fame and its
effects and also about the way in which major or unexpected events
can both unite and divide people as opinions polarize on the
internet.
Narrated in the
first person by April May, a 23-year-old designer in New York who
discovers what seems to be a new work of art on the sidewalk at about
3.00am one morning. She posts a video about it on the internet and
as it becomes clear that this is a highly significant global event,
she becomes extremely famous (and wealthy) very quickly. What
follows is a brilliantly readable account of developments and
particularly the effect on April, her attempts to create and control
her internet persona in order to do good and bring harmony, and a
very shrewd analysis of the darker conspiracy theorists who, with a
variety of motives spread fear and division.
It all sounds pretty
familiar stuff, but I found April’s voice very refreshing, it’s
plausible and excellently paced so I wanted to keep reading and Hank
Green’s take on both fame and the tribalism which can take over
debate is thoughtful, penetrating and has real resonance with some
recent political events. The ending leaves much unresolved and looks
as though it’s setting up at least one sequel. Personally, I
rather like the inconclusiveness, but I’ll read the next part for
sure.
Rather against my
expectations, I can recommend this very warmly.
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