Journal Entry 1 by Astrofiammante on Monday, April 26, 2004

This is a book I have read and enjoyed. When I went into a charity shop to get a couple of titles for Bookcrossing, I was delighted to find it.

It is set in a 'dark future' where the world is run by giant American corporations which are far, far more powerful than the government. Your surname depends on your employer so, to take an invented example, if Alison works for News Corporation, she becomes Alison NewsCorp. If your child is at a McDonalds-sponsored school, then guess what... But this book has got lots of action, some satire and plenty of humour too. It would be a mistake to pigeonhole it.

We follow the fortunes of several individuals, some trying to make sense of this brave new world, others just trying to get through it. This book got slated in the Amazon reviews section, largely it seems by wannabees who were furious that they hadn't had the idea themselves. But I think it takes quite a bit more than just an idea to get a novel published - two years of slog to write it and all the pain of pitching it to publishers - so good on you, Max Barry.

There are two websites associated with Jennifer Government (she's the plucky heroine, in case you hadn't guessed) that are worth a visit:

The author's website - a decent, pretty interesting site, plus a decent, pretty interesting blog - about what I would say if asked for a short assessment of his novel.

Nation States - this is a game created by the author that allows you to run your own nation. You can be an iron-fist consumerist ruler, a Scandinavian Liberal Paradise (my personal choice) or anything in between. It's good fun.

I'm letting this book go at the Official Bookcrossing Zone at Julian Graves, the Royal Arcade, Norwich, probably on Thursday April 29, when I shall be passing through that Fine City. Having picked up two marvellous books there on our last visit in January, we reckon it is incumbent on us to Put Something Back. Literally, in this case. 

Journal Entry 2 by Astrofiammante on Friday, May 07, 2004

Releasing this on Friday May 7 at the OBCZ at Julian Graves, Royal Arcade, Norwich.

We feel it's our duty as Bookcrossers and former Norwich residents to support this wonderful OBCZ - and to buy some sweets and scented coffee at the same time, of course. 

Journal Entry 3 by ermintrude75 from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Saturday, March 19, 2005

Picked up from the Julian Graves OBCZ as I have heard good things about this book. I can't believe it's been there since May 2004 and (a) I never saw it before and (b) no-one else picked it up?!

I bought peanut crackers and decaf tea instead of sweets and flavoured coffee, hope that's OK ;) 

Journal Entry 4 by ermintrude75 from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Monday, April 11, 2005

No point in a summary with the excellent links above! I really enjoyed reading this although at times I had to re-read to make sense of all the connections and keep track of who was who :) I thought it was very funny and sharp in some places, thought-provoking elsewhere, and just a damn good story in others. Futuristic without being particularly sci-fi, which is interesting. Some parts are, scarily, not quite as outlandish as I would like them to be...

Thanks for releasing, Astrofiammante! I will find somewhere else to release it and hope it gets picked up and appreciated. 

Journal Entry 5 by ermintrude75 from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Off on a ray, running order below. PM me to join!

shpriz1 (US)
cloggy (UK)
gypsyrose02 (Australia) 

Journal Entry 6 by shpriz1 from Brooklyn, New York USA on Friday, August 19, 2005

Received it safe and sound. I started reading it right away. I'm loving it. :)
Thank you for including me in your ray. 

Journal Entry 7 by shpriz1 from Brooklyn, New York USA on Wednesday, August 24, 2005

I really enjoyed this book. Surprisingly, there were time when the dook didn't sound so "futuristic". Sometimes I felt like I was reading today's newspaper.
I will be mailing the book to cloggy later today. 

Journal Entry 8 by shpriz1 at on Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (8/24/2005 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Off to the next person. 

Journal Entry 9 by cloggy from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, September 02, 2005

Came back very tired from a business trip this morning and had a lovely surprise when I found the book on my desk. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks shripz1 

Journal Entry 10 by cloggy from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, September 22, 2005

I really enjoyed this book. The view of a future run by companies and marketing departments is scarily believable and real.
Put it in the post this morning, to go to the next reader in the ray 

Journal Entry 11 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, September 28, 2005

arrived today. have a few before it, but will get to it asap. any plans for this book, once ive read it?

thanks for including me. 

Journal Entry 12 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, October 27, 2005

what a great book! Loved it. How do authors come up with these ideas??
If we take on the last name of the company we work for, id be Toyota. How weird!
thanks for including me. is there anyone else for this? otherwise it will be available until i decide what to do with it. 

Journal Entry 13 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Saturday, November 26, 2005

reserved for relay 

Journal Entry 14 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Tuesday, July 25, 2006

going out today. sorry for the delay! 

Journal Entry 15 by Kyrissaean from Littleton, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, August 17, 2006

Received today. Wow, this book's been continent-hopping! Thanks for sending!