Customer Reviews

Gone Awry: A Virtual Tour Through High Tech Hell

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gone Awry is, by far, the best read I've had in years. Frankly, it deserves 6 stars, rather than the 5 maximum allowable. The book knocks me out; it's hysterical --- and yet has a terrific message. That's one powerful combination. My initial purchase was the electronic download copy; my next will be a bound copy.

Gone Awry is a book you will want to read straight through (which, of course, you can do only if you're not being interrupted by cell phone calls, telemarketers, email, etc!). Ignizio is right on the money - the interesting part is that we know most of us have been sucked in by the high technology rage, but some of us have lost our souls to it. The ingenious but somewhat strange mind of the author has invented some pretty far-out punishments for those folks! If you truly understand what technology can do for us and to us, and if you want to read a book that mixes dry humor with an appealing message, this is the book for you!

I downloaded "Gone Awry" and have since gone back and ordered several hard bound copies. I can't wait to share this with my friends. Finally a book that makes you laugh so hard you have to cross your legs while reading it. When Les Smart introduces an amendment to the constitution that requires college professors to have actual real life experience in the subject they are teaching, I said what the hell took so long. - a reader from the suburbs of Philadelphia

Our brave new technologically-advanced world can drive you nuts. I guess you could say it's GONE AWRY. (Hmmm, good title for a book!) Truthfully, it sometimes seems like we're all living in "High-Tech Hell." And, ready or not, that's just where the author takes us! This is an incredible (and quite humorous) journey to the 25th Circle of Hell where -- along with our hero Les Smart and his unusual tour guide -- we examine chatrooms, cell phones, reengineering, Virtual Grannies and lots of other wacky stuff. If you like wise and witty satire, you're going to love this one.

I hope the 'Big Guy' Has A Sense of Humor Telemarketer Lester Smith is set down into the middle of the Welcome Center of the 25th Circle of Hell. He's not sure how he got there and he's certainly skeptical of his official Tour Guide, but there seems to be no way out except to follow the oddly-attired little man with his umbrella and his Akron State book bag. James Ignizio's little book Gone Awry is one of the funniest social commentaries I've read in a long time. His 25th Circle of Hell is, of course, a comic send-up of Dante's Inferno. Seems even Dante couldn't predict the need for a special kind of hell for sinners who populate the modern world of convenience and high tech. His versions of telemarketer hell; antenna tower hell; lawyer hell; and mid-management hell are absolutely right on. Lester's Tour Guide also serves as a teacher of sorts. Seems Lester hasn't really died, but has been given a chance to see what the future holds for him if he doesn't straighten up, fly right and, well, BE NICE! The Tour Guide has made up a list of rules to follow for everyday life. The Rules include: Don't drive and talk on your cell phone at the same time; Don't ever try to reason with a three-year old, particularly in public; and my personal favorite, There is only one educational channel on your television. You can reach it by pressing the OFF button. Ignizio's take on religion, philosophy and man's inhumanity to man are right on. I particularly loved his theory on how Moses messed up the 'Big Guy's' One Commandment. "The Ten Commandments were Moses' idea." Seems Moses "felt it (the ONE commandment handed down by the 'Big Guy') wasn't all that impressive, so he elaborated on the point. Old Moses had a real theatrical flair about him," according to the Tour Guide. And the 'Big Guy's' One Commandment? BE NICE! While Ignizio's work may offend some of the religious right, I'll bet they'd laugh in spite of themselves if they just gave this story a chance. The author gives us a glimpse into his version of the consequences of the high-tech/low humanity world we've created, but can avoid by: BEING NICE! I loved this book...a little gem amongst a lot of rhinestones and paper mache! -- Enjoy!

Terry Matthews, Reviewer

I just finished GONE AWRY in one sitting. I found it full of points to ponder AND because the material is so well-presented and funny, it's sure to leave a lasting impression.

In this world of 'do more with less' -- and do it faster and without any touch of humanity -- this book offers a look directly into the future of mankind if we don't stop, look, listen and BE NICE!

This is a great read with some very important lessons.

Enjoy!

Ignizio often sardonically, but seldom humorously, manages to weave our societial ills into this tale of high-tech hell. The Plan, The Rules, List of The 10 Oddest Things on Earth and Hubert's Commandments are not only entertaining but insightful. There's so much in this book, it takes two readings to feast on all the goodies. For instance, The 25th Circles imbalance was caused by the invention of soap and only solved through the creation of a super computer in a manner that would make Chairman Mao proud. You just have to read this book--it's a classic.

This is a FUNNY book! Ignizio's expertly written and thought provoking satire is simply terrific. Gone Awry deserves its accolades and awards and should be on everyone's "must read" list.

This modern day Dante's Inferno is wonderful. The book appeals at several levels. First, it's downright hilarious. Second, the rules and One Commandment make a lot of sense. Third, it's extremely well-written and a delight to read. In fact, it's the first book in a long, long time that I've read not just a second time, but four times. It just gets better.

Gone Awry by James Ignizio is not only a very funny story but it is also a sour dadaist view of many current problems of modern societies. The author has a tremendous capacity to capture the contradictions of our society and to highlight the pros and cons of high Tech developments. The Amendments to the Constitution imposed by one the main characters is like a final distillation of the novel. This book reminds me of the Woody Allen of Getting Even or Without Feathers. I am sure that this hilarious, nihilist and witty tale that will be a complete success.