Jason Pargin’s I Think I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom is a bold departure from his signature blend of science fiction and fantasy, taking readers on a satirical deep dive into the toxic underpinnings of modern culture. Known for his ability to weave surreal humor with biting social commentary, Pargin has outdone himself in crafting a comedy-action adventure that feels both absurdly outlandish and eerily plausible.
What makes this novel stand out is its fearless exploration of the human condition in the context of late-stage capitalism. It’s as if Pargin took a page from Gabor Maté’s The Myth of Normal and asked, “What if our collective insecurities and unprocessed traumas were not just personal struggles, but the actual harbingers of societal collapse?” The result is a world so familiar and yet so exaggerated, it forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and their surroundings while laughing through the discomfort.
The titular “black box of doom” is both literal and metaphorical, serving as a brilliant narrative device to explore how consumerism, social media, and the commodification of identity are driving humanity toward its own undoing. Through a diverse cast of flawed yet endearing characters, Pargin unpacks the ways in which our individual and collective anxieties are exploited for profit, creating a cycle that feels both tragic and darkly comedic.
Pargin’s signature humor remains intact, with sharp wit and outrageous scenarios that will leave readers in stitches, even as they recognize the sobering truths beneath the surface. The action sequences are as fast-paced and chaotic as ever, but they’re grounded in a narrative that feels deeply relevant to the times we live in.
I Think I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom is a masterclass in genre-blending, seamlessly combining satire, action, and poignant social commentary. It’s a novel that entertains, provokes, and lingers long after the final page. For fans of Pargin’s previous work and newcomers alike, this is a must-read that showcases his evolution as a writer willing to tackle the complexities of modern life with unflinching honesty and a healthy dose of humor.
Rating: ★★★★★
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Delivered October 1, finished October 3
Despite the hurricane presumably delaying my preorder, when I finally did get it I devored this book in 2 days. I'm an avid fan of Pargin's work, one of the original readers of the serialized chapters of John Dies At The End when you had to read it on eye-melting white text on black background. I'm not certain if this book has outranked his others as my favorites - the original JDatE and FVaFS are constantly wrestling for #1 - but if you loved his thought provoking Cracked articles and wanted a story more grounded in reality, for better or worse, this is your book. All the characters get turns in perspective similarly to how he did This Book is Full of Spiders, and all their thought processes and roles are engaging and entertaining. The concept behind the book is, as usual for Pargin, a scathing social commentary. I think whether you are a chronically online loser like myself or someone who only kind of is aware of social media, you'll appreciate the message it has for the readers - that things are simultaneously better than they've ever been and also careening rapidly towards chaos. And only touching grass can save us.
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Mariano vargasReviewed in Mexico on November 22, 2024
Divertido de principió a final.
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