If Richtel just tried to write a poppy suspense novel and make some cash, I think this would be fine for what it is. But he tries to go all Delillo on the shit and make these broad sweeping comments about the technological revolution and its impact on our lives. It comes off as odd, awkward, and little cheezy. Ooooo....get it? The computer makes you "addicted" to it. You see? It's symbolism for the way computers really are. WOW! This, my friends, is why life-long professional report... (show more)

If Richtel just tried to write a poppy suspense novel and make some cash, I think this would be fine for what it is. But he tries to go all Delillo on the shit and make these broad sweeping comments about the technological revolution and its impact on our lives. It comes off as odd, awkward, and little cheezy. Ooooo....get it? The computer makes you "addicted" to it. You see? It's symbolism for the way computers really are. WOW! This, my friends, is why life-long professional reporters hardly ever break into the category of serious fiction. You spend your life documenting facts and verifying truths and dealing in black and white, then you try to move into a world where the truths are less tangible, where the facts have no statistics or succinct quotes behind them. Simply put, a history of covering technology for the Times doesn't qualify you to cover one of the major American psychological developments in the last 200 years. Stick with what you know, and leave the symbolistic peripheral commentary to the masters. (show less)