Title:
The Reality of The
Virtual
Sub-title: Presage
ISBN: 978-9881675118
Format: E-book and
paperback
Publisher: Pebbles Publications
Publication/: End
December, 2012
Launch Distribution: Amazon, Ingram, Lulu
Category:
Alternative History/Sci-fi Novel
Author:Betsy Cheung
Amazon
:
http://tinyurl.com/9gyv2rf
Review:
‘The Reality of The virtual’ is
an edge-of the-seat-saga, which takes place between the real and the
virtual. Cheung’s debut novel is packed with thrilling ideas about
near-future technology. It has a balance of the believable and unbelievable
that makes the plot seem very real. What’s more, it touches upon existential
issues of human existence in the virtual.
The year is 2018.
Nothing is what it seems and mis-information rules the Media. People are livid
and riots abound surrounding a controversial new class system. Hugh van
Santen is the Editor in Chief of a major newspaper reporting on the social
turmoil. While governments go bankrupt, the grass roots are geared up to do
community work and replace social welfare. Meanwhile Hugh relies on scoops to
keep his newspaper afloat and recruits rogue reporter Sophie Chantal for his
most ambitious and outrageous scoop to date. Sophie’s first assignment is to
write a feature on the bicentennial birthday of a persona non gratis whose
past doings wrecked havoc and caused the Cold War. She solicits the help of
Sam, a computer scientist, who creates accurate simulations of humans down to
their thoughts. Even before publication, the story is leaked and
Sophie’s
feature becomes breaking news with explosive effect on the world and
an
implosive effect on the news paper itself. It also alerts the CIA, who is
after Sam’s simulation technology at all cost. To distract them, Sam designs
a game called ‘Presage’ in which gamers and intelligence agents begin their
race to find Sam’s secret in the reality of the virtual.
A
crucial idea of this exciting boo is the conflict between the world, i.e.
the totality of things work and the individual. The notion that the
collective interest and wellbeing is suppressive of the individual interest
and wellbeing is the same notion of why evolution and 'survival of the
fittest' is necessary, but causes suffering and sacrifice of the individual
animals and why the ‘have-nots’ suffer in a capitalist system. This book
depicts what happens when a few individuals combine aspects of capitalism,
collectivism, social media and technology to a new system and try to make the
shortcomings of the previous systems right. The
problem they encounter is an
old one: Although this new system makes a lot of sense to people, It is the
human consciousness and the fundamental way in which it is taught to work
when we are ‘socialized’ which prevent people from seeing the bigger picture
in their actual life and stops them from walking the talk. With
intelligence
and crazy imagination, the same idea and theme are reflected and
reinforced in the sub plots.
The book is rich with intriguing, deep,
believable characters, who reflect the different ways individuals are
wired to be in or out of tune with the world. Some are totally stuck in their
own way of looking at things like Mick Fallon, the spy. Some understand this
and manipulate this to their own advantage like Otto Chantal, the CEO, Hugh
can Santen, the editor in chief and Jim Hershel, the media baron. Some
manipulate it to the advantage of society like Hal, a new breed of union
leader while at the opposite ends of the spectrum you have idealists willing
to sacrifice themselves like Thomas Pierson, the chairman of the
Alpha
Federation and Sam Sheppard, the main protagonist and creator of the game
Presage and Mindroids. And then, you have people, who study this phenomenon
and find it all mighty interesting for a social-anthropological reason like
the character of Dominique Sagresse, the Elvis among
philosophers.
This book delves into the ethics and effects of a
changed semi-virtual society in the near future. It gives us a fresh
perspective upon the unrelenting human struggle in our continued attempts to
wrench ourselves out of Sisyphus’ myth. Highlighting that our greatest
enemy—the one, who causes the rock to tumble back to the bottom of the hill
each and every time— is ourselves, this book revamps our hope that one day we
may succeed. Don't miss this book if you like your mind and
imagination challenged! This is truly a MUST READ!
~Author Jerry McGregor is an English teacher living in South-Asia who
dapples in creative writing and loves books. His favorite writers are Fyodor
Dostoevsky and Knut Hamsun, David Sedaris, Salman Rusdie.
-----
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