Customer Reviews

Slick: A Novel

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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A fantastic, engaging story about the media and the morality of PR. Dan Price's book is at once funny, fast-paced, and eye-opening. If you've ever wondered how the stuff on tv gets on tv, look no further. The author lifts the veil on the inner workings of the media world and shows us an ugly, easily manipulated system. And he does so with a incredible story full of surprise and irony.

Price has written a superb contemporary critique and novel. For anyone who enjoyed the movie 'Network' or fans of Chuck Palahniuk's 'Fight Club', this is a must read. You'll see the world differently.

This is a very smart book. You'll never watch television news the same way again. It's a glimpse into the inner workings of modern media, entertainment and news that might just scare you into making your own decisions about the world.

Daniel Price has written a rockin' story that's eye-opening and informative without being preachy like most media critiques. He's fair, well-informed and funny as hell. Slick is an absolute joy to read!

I am one of those moms who ignored her kids for 2 days (only 2, I started at 4AM) and enjoyed every minute of it. I read lots of fiction, but throw out a lot after 100 pages or so of sterotyped characters, worn-out plots, and cliches that just won't die. SLICK was totally different - One of the few novels of which I read every word -(I even skimmed DaVinci Code.) Fast paced, intriguing characters, and no silly car chases or melodramatic seduction scenes. Really makes you think, and gives you lots of neat info for Jeopardy in the process. Finally, a novel that portrays characters, and life, the way they are; complicated, sometimes messy, but intriguing if you are just willing to actually think about things, rather than accept whatever is fed to you.

I'm a Clive Cussler, Dale Brown, Stephen Coonts kind of person -- with an occasional "different" novel thrown in. Dan Price's SLICK -- once I got into the very different kind of story -- turned into a page-turner. It is superbly written in a way that is unique. I now watch TV news with a different kind of skepticism. I paid full-price and it was worth it!

I had thought that, after a week or so of having the book at my house, I could write to you and tell you how much I loved the book. But, frankly, I haven't seen the book since Friday.

Turns out my wife, who has admittedly not read a book in almost a decade, is soaking in "SLICK". She's consumed. She's engrossed. She's addicted. She's gone. It has become an appendage and she's on a binge like none I've witnessed before.

She sits on the couch all day mumbling things to herself like "that's neat how he does that" and "I never expected that." Or, when she's feeling vocal, we get a full sentence: "This book is really intriguing and I really like the way he writes -- for our generation, with humor and inclusive of so many current events." The kids love that full-sentence -- it almost feels like Mom is talking to them like she did in the days Before The Book (BTB).

Mostly, though, we just hear cries of "WOW!" and "SLICK!"

Her children miss her -- or so it seems. But, they'll get over it soon. Mom should be back by tomorrow (she's on page 409).

Just don't write a sequel. My family can't handle it.

I was reading Slick on a plane flight from Chicago to San Francisco, and from time to time I couldn't help but laugh out loud at one or another of Price's delightfully witty turns of phrase. After a time, this attracted the attention of my seat mate, a construction worker from Chicago, who asked me what I was reading. I showed him and, after eliciting a promise that he'd buy a copy for himself, let him read over my shoulder.

I carried this book around with me and it never left my sight until I had devoured every last word. Price creates a complex character in Scott that, even though you're not always sure you like him, you always want to know what he's going to do next. (And you gotta hope he stays on your side, 'cause you sure don't want him working against you!)

Though a long time, avid reader, this is my first ever book review. I felt compelled to write it, as in my opinion none of the critiques I've read so far on Slick, while generally quite positive, seemed adequate in overall literary perspective.

In terms personal impact, I could only compare "Slick" with Joseph Heller's "Catch 22." I read this at 18, and it remains in my top ten. Not that the style or stories are similar; just that both authors grabbed me immediately, presenting hilariously perceptive parodies of life's irony. Probably the greatest commonality is the way both bring profound cultural hypocrisies into clear focus through humor. Vonnegut also comes to mind.

Price's chosen theme is the way our thinking is affected by master media manipulators, working mostly at the indirect behest of six or seven International uber-corporations. But instead of presenting a protagonist involved in the fight against such machinations-as Price is in real life-he gives us Scott Springer, one of the more talented and morally ambiguous mercenaries from the dark side. To Scott, his occupation is simply "perception management." "I've conspired with the gun people, schemed with the liquor people, toiled for tobacco, and moiled for Monsanto. I've pushed polluters and promoted porn. I've shilled for Shell and lied for Tide. I've helped a major pharmaceutical company sell a drug that does nothing by promoting a disease that does not exist. And that's just the old stuff on my resume. That was before I went freelance and really got creative."

Yet even with these insights into his profession, Scott felt that "..despite all my nefarious acknowledgements, I was actually a man who meant well." You won't believe how marvelously well this approach works in revealing the mindset of those who help shape ours, until you read "Slick."

Along the way on this great literary ride, you'll meet more memorable characters than can generally be fit into much longer works. He has a true gift for quickly fleshing out his cast. One great example is a black lawyer who looks dignified yet slightly comic. "Malcolm X by way of Urkel," is how Price relates his overall affect. Add to this ability the always engaging plot twists and recursive loops, funny yet insightful dialogue, and a strong message relayed through seeing events through the first-person vision of the villain/protagonist, and you have one of the best first novels in decades. The only two I can remember that came even close were "Big Trouble" by Dave Barry, and more on the mark message wise, "Radiance" by Carter Scholz. "Slick" is as funny as the former and as poignant as latter. I can't wait for Price's next book, or for the movie version of this one! The lead role is so dynamic, complex, and three-dimensional, I'm betting Hollywood's best will fight over it. If you happen to know Brad Pitt or John Malkovich, get them to read this book!

Scott Singer is an evil genius media manipulator. He lies, but he lies *so well* you just have to appreciate it. After convincing college girls to drop trou in a phony protest to save the Monk Seal from the building of a Fairmont resort (Fairmont was his actual client - the girls were a cheap but effective way to garner publicity for the resort), Scott turns to his next challenge, saving a rapper from bad publicity arising from sexual indiscretions.

His proposal is simple yet complex: he'll fight fire with fire by engineering an accusation that's the same as the one they know is coming - it's just that this will arrive first, then be disavowed. A brilliant plan, but full of the potential for trouble.

In the meantime, Scott is falling into a relationship with a separated woman and her daughter. This complicates things, but makes the story even more enjoyable.

In the end, his plan does go awry, but this (along with the budding relationship) help him to discover that like Darth Vader, he's still got some good in him. A very entertaining read: smart, witty, and hard to put down!

I picked this book up at an airport with a few hours to kill, 2 days later I was ready to throw in my business degree and switch to PR.

Daniel Price writes a captivating piece of fiction about a master of 'perception management', a guy so damn good at what he does, you'll never watch the news or read the papers the same way again.

Scott, the main character is both a master manipulator, and a down right nice, normal guy, when he is recruited to run damage control for a rising hip hop star, he hatches a plan so damn neferious it wouldn't suprise me to see it on CNN. from here the story just gets more and more exciting and twisted.

Price also presents a really strong FAQs section on his website answering a number of small questions and possible inconsistencies that arise during the book, as well as an excellent reading list.

if you interested in PR, media manipulation, hip hop, or even just want a great exciting, and none too heavy read I strongly reccomend you pick this up.

Daniel Price has written a very original, fun book about Public Relations work. The plot has many twists and characters strong enough to carry your interest. This book is a definite change from run-of-the-mill storylines. Readers will also learn quite a bit about how the public is misled by the media about almost every subject conceivable. This one is definitely worth your time!