World-Mart [Kindle Edition]

Leigh M. Lane (Author)

Book Description

George Irwin remembers a time before the Big Climate Change, back when the airlines were still in business and people still drove their own cars. The world has changed much over his lifetime, but he still believes in the American Dream. When an alleged terrorist act lands his wife in the hospital, however, George stumbles upon a Corporate secret that could mean the end of all civilization.

"I strongly suggest that you read this novel that really hits close to home." (5 stars) --Quincy Simpson, from the Kindle Book Review.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A versatile literary maestro, Lane's characters breathe, her language sings, and her plotting is nothing short of remarkable. You owe it to yourself to give her a read, no matter what kind of fiction you like. You'll love her work. I promise." -- noir/horror author Trent Zelazny

From the Author

I wrote this novel in response to the death of Kurt Vonnegut Jr., determined to create not only a dystopia for modern times, but a payment of homage to the genre.  Tucked throughout the work, you'll find allusions to numerous greats of science fiction past, hints to a future world that could easily come to pass, and subtle references to the death of an important and meaningful literary era.

World-Mart follows the classic dystopian trope, and as such, I recommend it to those who enjoyed Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle, Orwell's 1984, and similar works. Moreover, I would discourage those seeking a light, easy read from attempting this book.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 342 KB
• Print Length: 276 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Cerebral Books (October 13, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005VTN1OC
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,722 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Look At The Future, It Ain't Pretty! November 2, 2011

By The Kindle Book Review

Format:Paperback

The climate changed. In addition, antibiotic-resistant viruses ravaged the earth. The corporation saves humanity, or does it? What happens if the corporation totally runs all facets of human existence? What happens to human relations? What happens to the way we love, worship, and live? The answers suggested by Lane in World Mart look a lot like where we will be in the not too distance future. In some areas, like the connection of education to class, it is simply a mirror of our present society.

But not only that, Lane provides a picture of the human need to dehumanize "others." Lane even provides a not too flattering glance at what happens to faith in an environment that is supportive of the corporation.

In general the story made sense to me. It grabbed me from the beginning and kept me interested especially in George's final quest. I did have a minor issue with the "coincidences" towards the end that seemed a bit contrived. However the very end left me as I think a story like this should leave us.

I strongly suggest that you read this novel that really hits close to home. ~ Quincy Simpson, from the Kindle Book Review.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yikes October 28, 2011

By T. Zelazny

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Very well-written, an all-too-real and all-too-close dystopian future that both chilled and infuriated me. Incredibly well thought out and very, very smart. I think everybody needs to read this one. Would go nicely on a shelf with 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. I highly recommend this one.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All too believable January 20, 2012

By Nick Stevens

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

A chilling vision of the future which is all too believable. The logical, if frightening, conclusion to corporatism, environmental destruction, and the 1% left unchecked. Ms. Lane's writing flows effortlessly, I read this straight through and could not put it down.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars May it not come to pass! October 23, 2011

By M. Mckenzie

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am not sure how to review this book, but I will try.

I liked it and I didn't like it.

It was quite well written and the story flowed well from beginning to end. Section by section, we follow each character through his part of the tale as each intersects with or echoes remnants of the paths of the others. The reader views from above seeing the trials of each character, yet we can empathize with each as he moves through the events of his part of the tale.

I didn't care for the ending, but it seemed appropriate.....if that can make any sense at all.

The characters were likeable and one wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. It was an interesting read; not fun, but interesting enough to keep reading to see what would happen next.

I can see the events of this book as really happening in our world. I truly hope they do not, but some of the events are taking place in our lives. It is, perhaps, the reality of the plot, the possibilitiy that it is a tale of our future, that causes me to not like the story.

Well done.

Note: This is probably the most confused review I have ever tried to write! How can, "I didn't like it," and "well done" be in the same review?? That cannot make sense. But it does!

Do I recommend this book after writing the above? Yes.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark, twisted, futuristic gem! February 12, 2012

By kgillett

Format:Paperback

This thought provoking and well written novel by Leigh M. Lane will be sure to thrill. The plot thickens and twists in a way that is both unpredictable and incredibly smart. Ms. Lane's characters develop naturally and fully, leaving you certain that you've know them all along. Set in a not so distant future, Ms. Lane touches on several political and societal issues through this powerful story. It's clear that Ms. Lane's research for this work was extensive. I am impressed by the authors creation and depiction of the family unit and relationships, especially those of parent to child. There are, however, some dark scenes that I found to be disturbing. They may be necessary to the story and plot development, yet the author seem to express a certain amount of hatred towards the characters that left me uncomfortable (as I am not in the habit of reading horror, this may be normal for a horror writer).
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. I will be reading more from this author.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating and Frightening November 5, 2011

By Shirlee Whitcomb

Format:Paperback

This book is expertly written and the plot is well crafted. The subject matter is terrifying because it holds such a potential for the truth of today's world. Keep an eye on this author. Shirlee Whitcomb

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Objects in the future mirror may be closer than they appear April 10, 2012

By A. Norsworthy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Leigh M. Lane skillfully weaves a believable and compelling narrative from some familiar themes in the science fiction genre. In less agile hands, these themes (future dystopia, corporate fascism, crumbled infrastructure, class warfare, teetering on the apocalypse, etc.) could have produced a work of straw, but World-Mart is solid gold, burnished by her sure touch with character and story, avoiding dulling cliches and facile construction. I plan on reading much more of this author's fine work.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Depressing - In a Good Way January 23, 2012

By Robert Brumm

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just finished World-Mart and boy am I depressed! Despite reading "wall heater" and "click-light" about a hundred times I really enjoyed this book. It's quite a fascinating take on dystopian America in the future. It's grim, dark, and depressing yet it kept me hooked to the very end.

More About the Author

"Words are like shards of glass. By themselves they're worthless; however, when placed together in just the right way, they can become brilliant works of art." - Leigh M. Lane

Leigh M. Lane has been writing for over twenty years. She has ten published novels and twelve published short stories divided among different genre-specific pseudonyms. She is married to editor Thomas B. Lane, Jr. and currently resides in the beautiful mountains of western Montana. Her traditional Gothic horror novel, FINDING POE, was a finalist in the 2013 EPIC Awards in horror.

Her other novels include THE HIDDEN VALLEY HORROR, inspired by Barker, Bradbury, and King, WORLD-MART, a tribute to Orwell, Serling, and Vonnegut, and the allegorical tale, MYTHS OF GODS.

For more information about Leigh M. Lane and her writing, visit her website at http://www.cerebralwriter.com.