Dominion: A Novel

Dominion: A Novel by Addie E. Citchens

The book begins with the correlated city and church and town in the Mississippi delta town of Dominion. Then it drifts into the lives of the characters. The current preacher is a key figure in the town. He has a number of sons, including Emanuel, commonly referred to as Wonderboy. He is the star on the football team, and seems to succeed at everything he does. The preacher's wife is often referred to as the "First Lady". She is an important figure in town, though she does occasionally have issues with alcohol. Wonderboy starts a relationship with a girl, Diamond who grew up in rougher surroundings. She lives with another family. She has not seen her brother in a while (as he hangs out on the street with the druggies.) The girl and the boy start a chaste relationship. They decide to consummate one day, and that is the beginning on the end. They decide to really have sex later. Wonderboy has violent outbursts and kills a guy and decides to leave town with Diamond. There, he is also a philanderer, including having a relationship with a white girl. He also attempts to commit suicide. Diamond still stands beside him. Wonderboy's behavior leads to the separation of his parents and to his father stepping down as preacher. She later learns that he had killed her brother and he eventually dies a violent death. The bad behavior of the gifted, but entitled son leaves a wave of destruction. It also is an opportunity for the women in the novel to assert their independence and not passively endure.

The Circle

The Circle is a Social Media company that has come to dominate the world. They have subsumed Facebook and other companies. It also does strict authentication ensuring that all users are real. The company coddles its employees even more than Facebook of today. They get comprehensive benefits and even have "dorms" on the "campus" where they can live.

The book centers around Mae Holland, a recent college grad who gets a job at The Circle. At first she struggles with the company. The work is straightforward. However, the "external demands" are challenging. She is expected to maintain an active online presence. Going to parties and social events is "optional", but really required so as not to hurt other people's feelings. 

Mae gradually overcomes her reluctance and dives headlong into the company. She starts documenting her social life in more detail. She also begins to appreciate the openness of tracking and cameras. The company starts encouraging politicians to be "open" and have their every action broadcast live. Those that don't do so are chased out of office. Privacy is considered "theft". Voting moves to the social media platform. The Circle can tell infinite facts about everyone.

The satire is moderately over the top. There is some growth, allowing you to become sympathetic with the characters. It does get over the top. Pretty soon it seems just a little too farcical to be "real". The book advocates for privacy, even though lack of privacy can reduce societal problems such as crime and racial profiling.

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

At first I thought this book was a work of fiction. It seemed to be just a little too off the wall premise. A college-age kid suddenly is taking care of his younger brother. They relocate from Illinois to Berkeley, California. They manage to get places to rent by paying cash with their inheritance. He comes across as a young adult with the mind of 14 year old. Sex and nudity seem to be primary external preoccupations. He is totally not ready to take care of his brother. He seems to prefer that he be a little servant. His brother is not quite in to that. 

Dave does manage to help raise the brother. His siblings make occasional appearances. (They are older, but did not have the ability to take care of the younger brother.) Towards the end, there is more focus on his dalliances with a literary magazine  (he naively bankrolls it and has dreams of success.) and attempts to be on the real world. His "Story" seems to change a little each time it is told. There appears to be some degree of fictionalization in the novel. But don't we all "remember" things different ways? The style is where the work shines. It is very "gen-X".

A Mutiny in Time: Infinity Ring, Book 1

Three kids must try to fight "Bad guys" to fix broken history. They live in an alternate world where Columbus was overthrown by a mutiny and a two brothers discovered America. There are also many other parts that are just a little bit different from our current world. One of the kids helps complete work on a ring that allows them to travel in time. They go back and try to fix problems in history. There are both "good guys" that help them as well as "bad guys" that are trying to take their advantage. It is a fun story with an interesting take on alternative history.