Reality: The Novel [Paperback]

Jeff Havens (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this satirical first novel by standup comic Havens, a reality television consultant lives a life as absurd as the shows he pitches. Stanford-educated Trent Tucker wants to create decent programming, but his overtly stereotypical colleagues—the "Flamboyant Homosexual," the "Angry Black Man," the "Token Harlot," etc.—are content to cater to the lowest common denominator. ("We can't kill people on TV," Trent says about a show idea. His team members rebut: "Why do you have to be so negative?") He finally cracks during a meeting, spouting the most ludicrous concepts he can think of. His repugnant boss, P.T., loves the ideas and promotes him to vice president. Soon, Trent begins to collude with a competing creative firm that wants to put a wholesome spin on prime time, and when the rival executive mysteriously dies, Trent suspects P.T. was responsible. In an unconvincing turn, Trent decides to kill P.T. The book is filled with jabs at reality programming—shows include The Curious Polygamist and I Think My Brother's Gay. If the characters are clichéd and the plot hackneyed, the clever surprise ending puts everything in perspective. (Nov.)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: Academy Chicago Publishers (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897335481
• ISBN-13: 978-0897335485
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,022,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The ending was not a surprise, January 28, 2010

By 

braindeath (Guyana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reality: The Novel (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book, it was funny, and I hate reality television, so I appreciate the mockery. The ending wasn't a surprise however. I worked it out about a 1/3 of the way through the book. It was still a lot of fun! Just wanted to correct the "surprise ending" bit up there.

5.0 out of 5 stars Reality TV Takes a (Delightful) Skewering, August 3, 2007

By 

Christine Zibas "AnythngArt" (Just Outside Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reality: The Novel (Paperback)

Whether you love it or hate it, reality TV has permeated the American television landscape. In this biting satire, Jeff Havens has presented a withering view of the medium from inside the creative consulting offices of Nova, whose mission is to develop new reality shows for the major networks. Nova's shows are designed to push the envelope to new heights of outrage and excess. From the novel's opening quote to its final quip, Havens takes his readers on a wild ride that will have them laughing all the way.

"Reality: The Novel" follows the story of Trent Tucker, one of Nova's leading creative forces (if inadvertently). The problem is Trent has come to loathe reality TV, even while accepting promotions and more money along the way. Trent is surrounded by coworkers as annoying as their reality TV counterparts, who will use whatever means necessary to promote themselves and their ideas. Trent longs to change the system, to find a way to use reality TV to "do good" in the world. When he finds his suggestions for change are falling on deaf ears with his boss, PT Beauregard, Trent determines that he must stop the madness any way he can.

For those on familiar terms with the reality TV programming, author Jeff Havens has managed to incorporate many favorite programs into his story. Here readers will find references to "Survivor," "Fear Factor," "Joe Millionaire," "American Idol," and more, shows that "satisfy the public's need to mock their fellow Americans." However, it is Nova's riffs on these shows (taken to the extreme) that readers will find deliciously skewering: "Gangland Romance," "What's My Gender?" "Extreme Animal Lovers," and every wannabe stripper's favorite, "Take It Off!"

Havens has done an amazing thing with this novel, he has glibly managed to inject serious commentary about how reality TV has influenced American culture, all the while telling a funny story that keeps his readers entertained. Anyone who has watched reality TV will relate to Trent's story and the fact that much as the public decries the behavior exhibited on reality TV, they still find themselves tuning in each week for the next outrageous episode. Havens has managed just the right touch with his book; it's an utterly enjoyable read even as it makes its uncomfortable point.

Christine Zibas, Reviewer of BookPleasures

5.0 out of 5 stars A tongue-in-cheek hysterical parody., July 8, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reality: The Novel (Paperback)

Written by stand-up comedian and former English teacher Jeff Havens, Reality [The Novel] is an off-the-wall hilarious satire following Trent Tucker, a man who hates reality TV yet whose job it is to create new reality shows that go beyond the limits of outrageous. Flanked by co-workers as flamboyant, frosty, ill-tempered, conniving, or vapid as any reality show cast, Tucker is sucked in with them on increasingly surreal adventures, from being stranded on a deserted island to a murder plot, all of which cast eerie echoes on the fantasy lives he's try to put on television. A tongue-in-cheek hysterical parody.