Books matching: consumerism critique
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A beautifully written, thought-provoking collection challenging us to rethink our relationship with the land and each other - best savored slowly and with an open mind.
'The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays' by Wendell Berry is a collection of powerful essays that span over two decades, offering insights into Berry's thoughts on various topics such as agriculture, economy, community, and sustainability. The book serves as an introduction to Berry's writings, showcasing his eloquent and prophetic style of writing that challenges readers to rethink their relationship with the earth, the community, and themselves. Through his essays, Berry advocates for a return to local economies, sustainable agriculture, and a more ethical treatment of the environment, urging readers to reconsider their roles in the modern world.
The hill is not a hill in the usual sense. It has no “other side.” It is an arm of Kentucky’s central upland known as The Bluegrass; one can think of it as a ridge reaching out from that center, progr...2002•350 pages- #2
Save:A classic dystopian satire that predicted the rise of consumer culture with wit and cynicism - it's a must-read for sci-fi fans, especially those who love clever social critique.
The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth is a science fiction novel set in a future where corporations have taken over in an oligarchy style government. The story explores a world where water has become scarce, available only to the very wealthy, and corporations are looking to colonize space. The narrative follows the protagonist as he goes from a life of privilege to fighting for survival, with his perspectives evolving as he delves deeper into the challenges he faces. The book presents a satirical take on a society where advertisement reigns supreme, and the consequences of having too much power concentrated in the hands of a few.
The writing style of The Space Merchants is described as smart, humorous, cynical, and entertaining, with a fast-paced plot that keeps readers engaged. It portrays a dystopian world where the distinction between being a citizen and a consumer is stark, highlighting the consequences of unchecked corporate power and the impact of consumerism on society at large.
As I dressed that morning I ran over in my mind the long list of statistics, evasions, and exaggerations that they would expect in my report. My section—Production—had been plagued with a long series...1952•189 pages - #3
Save:A thought-provoking, well-paced sequel that dives deeper into the challenges of rebuilding after catastrophe - ideal for fans of realistic post-apocalyptic fiction, but may not hit the mark for everyone due to its occasional heavy-handed messaging and some questionable plot choices.
'Afterlight' by Alex Scarrow is a post-apocalyptic novel set ten years after the world runs out of oil. The story follows the main survivors of the first book, living in a community on an oil rig, trying to rebuild society after the disastrous events that unfolded in the previous installment. The author weaves a gripping tale of survival, exploring themes of consumerism, materialism, and the impact of societal collapse on human behavior. The writing style is fast-paced, engaging, and thought-provoking, with vivid descriptions that immerse readers into a richly crafted post-apocalyptic world.
Her mouth was dry and tacky too. She looked up and down the deserted high street; every shop window a jagged frame of threatening glass shards, every metal-shutter-protected shopfront was crumpled and... - #4
Save:A melancholic, sharp, and poignant look at American suburbia's future - sometimes messy, often profound. Best for patient readers who crave thoughtful social sci-fi over fast-paced action.
Part of Kim Stanley Robinson's Three Californias trilogy, 'The Gold Coast' is an alternative view of life in the 21st century. The book explores an overdeveloped Orange County, California, where a dissatisfied poet becomes involved with industrial terrorists aiming to subvert the war and weapons industry in which his father is employed. The writing style is unique, incorporating poetry intermittently, which some readers found distracting initially but ultimately found themselves engrossed in the story. The themes of globalisation, corporatisation, and conquest are thoroughly explored, reflecting on the missing elements in today's fast-paced society.
Jim McPherson, the main character, is depicted as a twenty-something drifting through life, seeking direction and purpose. His passion for history and connection to the past Orange County drive him to join a friend in domestic terrorism, targeting aerospace companies and the war machine they support. As the duo carries out portable missile attacks on unmanned manufacturing plants, chaos ensues, shaking the foundation of Jim's life and ultimately leading to a realization that changes everything.
Jim McPherson sticks his head out the window of his car, shouts at a Minihonda whose program has just automatically slotted it onto the onramp ahead of him. “You cut me off!” The man in the Minihonda...1988•417 pages
(Also, see 33 recommendations for the series Three Californias Triptych ) - #5
Save:Unsettlingly relevant, quick to read, and full of twisty intrigue - The Warehouse is modern dystopian fiction at its most entertaining and alarming. Recommended if you want a smart, timely thriller that’ll make you rethink next-day shipping.
'The Warehouse' by Rob Hart is a near-future dystopian novel that explores a world where a powerful corporation called The Cloud dominates worldwide commerce and industry. Employees live and work in company facilities where everything they need is provided, but at the cost of their freedom and privacy. The story follows characters like Zinnia, a corporate spy, and Paxton, a former prison guard who becomes entangled in a web of espionage and rebellion against The Cloud. The writing style is fast-paced, engaging, and thought-provoking, painting a vivid picture of a society controlled by a mega-corporation.
I don’t have time to write a book about my life, like everyone has been telling me I should, so this’ll have to do. A blog seems pretty fitting, doesn’t it? I haven’t been sleeping much lately, so thi...August 2019•446 pages - #6
Save:A polarizing, darkly comic odyssey into privileged ennui and self-destruction - brilliantly written and utterly unique, but absolutely not for everyone.
'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' by Ottessa Moshfegh follows an unnamed narrator, a young woman in New York City who, after inheriting her parents' wealth, decides to spend a year in a drug-induced sleep, cutting off contact with the world. The book delves into themes of depression, escapism, and societal disdain, as the narrator navigates a year of numbness and self-imposed isolation, reflecting on relationships, privilege, and the pursuit of rest and relaxation. Moshfegh's writing style is described as dark, raw, and honest, capturing the protagonist's apathy and vulnerability, while also maintaining a sense of humor and quirkiness throughout the narrative.
WHENEVER I WOKE UP, night or day, I’d shuffle through the bright marble foyer of my building and go up the block and around the corner where there was a bodega that never closed. I’d get two large cof...July 2018•303 pages - #7
Save:A quirky, thought-provoking take on coolness and consumer culture - fun, fast, and insightful, but lighter than Westerfeld’s best work. Great for YA readers who love a smart twist on the everyday.
Seventeen-year-old Hunter works as a trend scout, alongside his friend Jennifer, a trend innovator. When their boss Mandy goes missing, they uncover a conspiracy involving counterfeit shoes that are disrupting the market. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they find themselves entangled in a plot to sabotage the consumer culture they are a part of. The book explores the concept of coolness and how trends are created and manipulated, all set in the backdrop of modern-day New York City.
The narrative follows Hunter and Jen as they navigate the world of cool hunting, corporate manipulation, and societal structures. The story unfolds at a fast pace, blending elements of mystery, adventure, and self-discovery. Through their journey, the characters unravel the layers of deception and intrigue surrounding the missing boss and the group seeking to upset the established order of trends and consumerism. The writing style is engaging, offering a unique perspective on the industry of cool and the dynamics of trendsetting.
I nodded. That week skate meant “cool,” like dope or rad once did. And this girl’s laces were cool. Fuzzy and red, they looped through the middle eyelet repeatedly on one side, spreading out in a fan...2004•264 pages - #8
Save:A witty, quietly moving mystery layered with social insight and heartbreak - especially recommended for those who don’t mind a bittersweet read with deeply-drawn characters and a lingering sense of what we miss in modern life.
'What Was Lost' by Catherine O'Flynn is a mystery novel that weaves together the lives of various characters connected to a young girl named Kate who disappears in the 1980s. The story unfolds through different perspectives, including Kate's dreams of becoming a detective, the suspicions surrounding a young man named Adrian, and the lives of those who worked at the shopping mall where Kate vanished. The narrative jumps between different timelines, exploring the impact of Kate's disappearance on the characters and their interconnected lives.
The book captures the ordinariness of daily life, the emptiness of a shopping mall at night, and the humor found in mundane situations. O'Flynn's writing style combines elements of mystery, social commentary, and coming-of-age themes, creating a compelling and evocative story that keeps readers engaged as they unravel the mystery of what happened to Kate.
Crime was out there.Undetected, unseen. She hoped she wouldn’t be too late. The busdriver was keeping the bus at a steady 15mph,braking at every approaching green light until it turned red. Sheclosed...2007•260 pages - #9
Save:A gleefully chaotic, short, and unapologetically irreverent satire that will either delight you with its audacity or leave you squirming - it’s a love-it-or-hate-it cult classic.
"The Magic Christian" by Terry Southern is a satirical novel that follows the billionaire protagonist Guy Grand as he orchestrates elaborate and over-the-top practical jokes to explore the idea that everyone has a price. Grand's pranks range from offering strangers money to perform odd tasks to staging disruptive and absurd scenarios, all fueled by his belief in making it "hot" for people. The pinnacle of his pranks involves purchasing a luxury cruise ship, the Magic Christian, and orchestrating a voyage that takes a dark and chaotic turn. The writing style of the book is described as impure, socially conscious, and inspired by politically incorrect humor, resembling a mix of lowbrow comedy and intelligent satire.
WHEN NOT TENDING New York holdings, Guy Grand was generally, as he expressed it, “on the go.” He took cross-country trips by train: New York to Miami, Miami to Seattle—that sort of thing—always on a s...1959•160 pages - #10
Save:Savage, surreal, and sneakily moving - CivilWarLand in Bad Decline is a masterclass in dark, satirical short fiction. Dive in if you’re ready for laughs and gut punches in equal measure.
CivilWarLand in Bad Decline by George Saunders is a collection of darkly humorous and satirical short stories and a novella set in quasi-dystopian American settings. The stories explore themes of critique of American society, hedonistic consumerism, guilt, redemption, and love, all while being laced with absurdity and humor. The writing style is described as inventive, absurdly funny, irreverent, and humane, with a touch of dark humor and macabre sense.
Whenever a potential big investor comes for the tour the first thing I do is take him out to the transplanted Erie Canal Lock. We’ve got a good ninety feet of actual Canal out there and a well-researc...1996•196 pages
