Customer Reviews

Notes from Underground and Scenes from the New World

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The first part of this book entitled, "Notes from the Underground," is a simple and terrifying set of diary entries from a dark, self-destructive man who has been oppressed by society in many ways. The terrifying story that emerges from his thougts and actions bring out the themes of power, innocence and violence in this quick and deceptively simple piece. The second part of this book, a three-act play entitled "Scenes from the New World," looks at power and violence in three different ways: the raw power and violence of the streets, the achieved power and violence within the greed that is supported and sustained in business and commerce, and the subtle power and violence inherent in the dehumanization of individuals for one's own fulfillment of childhood fantasy. Both pieces are striking in their messages and the way that the messages are brought out by the writing. Mr. Bogosian is a skilled and adept author looking at postmodern alienation in systems and society. This is the second book that I have ready by Mr. Bogosian ("MALL" is a wonderful, gripping novel) and I am truly impressed by his talents.

Brilliant. Not that I am anything like the main character, but I do think this way. I think about thinking this way. I highly recommend this book to anyone that's interested in a quick, disturbing read. For anyone that has thought about what it would be like to stop acting normal.