Customer Reviews

Jeremy's Prophecy Dot Com: an interactive novel

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

 

 

This fascinating story chronicles Sam's efforts to deal with his friend, Jeremy's bout of depression and institutionalization, by sharing Jeremy's story on the internet. The internet story takes on a life of its own, with Jeremy's role being wholly overshadowed by media hysteria. It was difficult for me to get started in the book, as I didn't understand the basis of the friendship between Sam & Jeremy -- Jeremy had gotten so bad that he seemed like a miserable person to be around during his college days. Then I learned that Sam & Jeremy were childhood friends and Sam had witnessed Jeremy's descent -- and things made more sense. Once I was able to get absorbed into the book, I couldn't put it down. In the book Sam and his friends (and crush interest)Amy & Alex could do little to alleviate Jeremy's illness, so, upon Jeremy's request, they shared information about his illness on the internet -- and sure enough, you can go to the web page & follow along with the novel. It's a fascinating concept that Kimmel handles surprisingly well.
I think this would be an interest read if you are interested in mental illness or the internet.

I had to keep reminding myself this is a work of fiction throughout . . . then reality hit me . . . that this is actually not.

This is my first experience with an interactive novel, so this read proved to be quite an adventure. Keith Kimmel teamed with Veneer Publishing to create both a virtual and tangible format of this publication coupled with an informative web site.

Not only does this mirror the chronicles listed in the book, but it also delivers information about the truths behind mental illness and offers areas to voice the issues. The melodious mix between the eerie realities and fiction lends to the reader's desire to explore beyond the pages of a book.

Sam Phillips describes the journey he and his friends Amy, Alex and Marco took in an effort to help their friend, Jeremy Jacobs, deliver a message. Jeremy was imprisoned in a mental institution after attempting suicide November 22, 1998. His failed attempt left him a changed man whom no one understood, that is, until his friends stepped in and decided to help. This effort continues with one glimmer of hope: that their friend experiences the healing he desires . . . or are they in need of the healing?

Where does the fiction come in? The story feigns truth in that it is based on actual events. All else, including the name of the institution where Jeremy was incarcerated has been fictionalized when told by the author. This protective courtesy does not shadow the truths behind the reality of the situation described, though.

Would I recommend this reading to others? Absolutely. The "must says" guiding you through the text leaves you scratching your head in bewilderment. I found myself eager to learn all I could about this "infamous" Jeremy from beginning to end. I was, however, surprised by the way the book ended. Why? You'll have to read the book for yourself. You'll find yourself wondering, too.

I'm writing this review because I think I've discovered a talent. Keith Kimmel seems to carry an enigmatic aura about him that truly makes me believe he is a voice to be reckoned with. Jeremy's Prophecy Dot Com captures the wickedness of greed during the late '90's Internet boom as investors try to capitalize on the success of Jeremy's mental illness website. Events described in the book are confirmed on the real website. This interactive element is creative and probably genius, but the book stands on its own. It's a sleeper that puts its mark on the pathos of the times and is eerily prophetic in its understanding of the human condition and what lies ahead for us all. I enjoyed reading every word.

This book was recommended to me by a good friend. I knew next to nothing about the struggles that some people face with mental illness, and didn't think I would understand or get anything out of the book. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I think I was done in three days. There is profound truth and wisdom in this book, and it deals with many things in addition to mental illness. Even though I'm done with the book, I still open it up to read a couple of my favorite "must says", the intro to each chapter, every once in awhile. The website, jeremysprophecy.com, goes along with the book and talks more about the beliefs that Jeremy, the main character, held. This was a great book.

I came across this book and was drawn in by the idea of a book written in coordination with a website. Not knowing exactly what the book was about, I started reading it and was drawn in to the story immediately. Throughout the beginning, Kimmel uses an abundance of analogies in describing things, really showing the power of writing in how it can help you visualize the most minute details of a scene. It seemed like the story was going somewhere, and it was, but not where I had expected. Roughly the entire last two thirds of the book were about the website, and how it was going to be this great thing and change everyone's lives. The website (comparing it to new character) began to slowly drown out all of the other interactions between the characters happening in the first third, and the descriptive analogies used so abundantly in the beginning became few and far between. Only the "Must Says" at the beginning of each chapter kept you thinking, which didn't always relate to the chapter they introduced.

This book is certainly a quick read, and has an interesting ending that makes the book worth it. Knowing that this book is based upon actual events adds more excitement to the story, and I enjoyed following up with the website.

In regards to the website, many of the links given in the book are broken, and the password protected area referenced to in the book also was down, adding to my disappointment. I thought this book was about helping depression! Hahaha, kidding =). Give it a try.

This book was recommended to me by a good friend. I knew next to nothing about the struggles that some people face with mental illness, and didn't think I would understand or get anything out of the book. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I think I was done in three days. There is profound truth and wisdom in this book, and it deals with many things in addition to mental illness. Even though I'm done with the book, I still open it up to read a couple of my favorite "must says", the intro to each chapter, every once in awhile. The website, jeremysprophecy.com, goes along with the book and talks more about the beliefs that Jeremy, the main character, held. This was a great book.

Modern, and seemingly timeless, Jeremy's Prophecy Dot Com transcends Keith Kimmel's generation by refusing to cave in to the mediocrity found in so many new writers of his time. I'm amazed with his courage to tackle intense issues. And with a voice so beautiful, real, and alive, I just couldn't put the book down. The characters stayed with me day and night, at the grocery store, and at work. I just needed to know what happened.

I think my title pretty much sums it up. It wasn't a horrible book, it was interesting and I enjoyed it, but I didn't feel it lived up to the hype.

I think my title pretty much sums it up. It wasn't a horrible book, it was interesting and I enjoyed it, but I didn't feel it lived up to the hype.