Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shimmer, June 30, 2009
"Come sit down by me; I've got a great story to tell you." That's what I imagine Eric Barnes' debut novel, Shimmer, would say if it could talk. The book was just friendly, I don't quite know how else to explain it; it was by turns exciting, thought provoking, and unusual and always enjoyable. The story follows Robbie Case, the CEO of a tech company that has figured out how to maximize server capacity and data processing. The company is wildly successful, with sales and revenues growing by bounds every day. The problem is that the whole company is based on a lie. Case is selling hardware to his customers that doesn't really do anything while he is secretly moving all of the data, which is meant to be processed his hardware, around a series of secret server farmsand satelittes , hidden around the world. He is lying to his customers; he is lying to his employees; but, mostly, he is lying to himself. He is lying to himself about his his capability to maintain the lies, about the true value of the company and the people he works with, and about what will ultimately be fulfilling and rewarding to him.
Barnes has achieved something unusual with his debut novel, a story that works on multiple levels, either as a quick, mindless read or a good thriller or as a more subtle, study of human interaction and connection. I won't pretend that I am computer savy enough to understand the tech pieces of the story but Barnes doesn't hit you over the head with computer jargon so much that you feel like you're reading a Computer for Dummies book. He gives you just enough to make the story seem believable. Barnes' use of language to create a breakneck pace and frentic aura for the tech company and the people who work there is just right. I found myself reading the early chapters more quickly than usual and with an urgency, all because of the deft prose. All of this would serve any good summer read well. But, if you read a little closer and study the characters Barnes creates, you will find a more subtle examination of unconnected and lonely people, all lieing to themselves in various ways to overcome self loathing and doubt. They are all pouring their lives into the company, feeding their greed or hunger for power as a substitute for human connection. One of the most interesting elements of Barnes' new novel is the give and take between his hero, Case, and Case's evil cousin. The two almost seem to create one, whole criminal; they are drawn to one another and, at the same time, repulsed by one another. Barnes has gotten this relationship just right, reflecting real world co-dependent, criminal pairs.
The light criticism I have is for the ending, which felt a little rushed and a little forced, tied up to prettily in a colorful bow. I didn't think nor did I want to see the story end quite so well for Case and his dark half cousin. And, to get there, Barnes seems to work a little too hard and gloss over a few too many details. But the ending didn't ruin the overall reading experience for the book.
Recommended! This was a solid, enjoyable read. You can take it at whatever level you feel like when you pick it up. It was just that friendly.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible!, July 3, 2009
An incredible book! Bravo Mr. Barnes! I was lucky enough to receive this book as an "Early Reviewer" for Librarything.com. For being an "uncorrected proof," I found nothing, absolutely nothing wrong. The story flowed, the intrigue grabbing hold, I enjoyed it immensely. Mr. Barnes' descriptions of the complexities involved in this story were incredible. He made it really easy to understand the inner workings of a vastly large corporation. I loved it and would recommend it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a great thriller, July 2, 2009
First few pages - I didn't know what to make of it, but by around p.50 I was hooked and could hardly put it down. The book is something of a John Grisham of computer world! The premise is quite incredible and original. The protagonist comes through as rather appealing and human. I didn't care for paid sex interludes, though - they seemed less worthy of the rest of the book. On the whole - a wonderful read. I wish I were more technically savvy: I had to consult my son, a computer specialist, to understand a few things, but it only increased my interest.
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