NationStates Jolt Archive

Cause its good.

It looks like after all this time, Max Barry has snapped and gone for the less subtle approach... :lol:

Well, it was a pretty good book.

Well, at first all the cussing bugged me, but that aside, it was very gripping. I liked how each chapter was from a different paradigm. In lots of stories, you read about what the bad guy does, and you wonder, WHAT was he/she thinking? However, in this story, it tells you. It's pretty interesting. You see the story from all sides, like Violet's motives for kidnapping Jen's daughter. Yeah, so I agree with the title of this thread--read Jennifer Government. :lol: Just be forwarned that it's R-rated for language, so don't give it to your five-year-old nephew or whatever. :wink:

Max(x) uses lots of dirty words. 8)

an unaguable fact. but it can be a good thing. hearing cussing over summer vacation made me feel more human, cuz nobody cusses @ my house (except my brother when my parents aren't around), & everyone does @ school.
the only irony, i think, is that on ns we have to censor ourselves or else risk deletion. but if max(x) uses worse language than we're allowed to, it's slightly unfair/hypocritical. however, i guess it's just out of his hands, and in the hands of the moderators. ah, well, doesn't really matter. just thought i'd comment on it

Max(x) uses lots of dirty words. 8)

i loved that actually.

Uh... In case you hadn't noticed, that was a book for adults. This is a website for anyone who stumbles across it.

Your backhanded insults directed at myself, and my fellow moderator's are not appretiated, either. [violet] told us how we are to act, and what rules were are to enforce. [violet]'s orders come from Max. He hasn't forgotten about this site.

Finally, context plays a major role in how improper language is looked at. When someone spews forth obscenity on the Technical Forum, that is not acceptable. There's no reason for it there. If people get so enraged over something on this site that they have to swear, they're wound a little tight. However, if in the middle of a role-play, a character who is a battle-hardened marine swears, nobody will get bent out of shape.

Look at it this way: the swearing in the book is that which is uttered by characters, not in the narration. John Nike's scum, of course he swears. Jennifer Government is a highstrung government agent, of course she swears. It fits the characters. He would be breaking their personalities had he censored them.

Now, had he (for instance) described Claire as "a f'ing cute kid", you might be able to argue hypocracy. Silly as such an arguement might be.

He's got a point, swearing does indeed have its place in literature, particularly literature which seeks to reflect the modern world in which we live. The generation growing up now has a very high tolerance threshold for bad language and the like, and it is only natural that a book set in the near future should reflect that.

After reading the first chapter of the book via this site and reading what has been said about it, where can I purchase this book? Barnes and Noble, B. Dalton, suggestions?

While I personally prefer Borders, any major book chain should either have it, or be able to order it easily.

Amazon should have it, Waterstones if you are in a major British city.

Barnes and noble has it... I am on page 200... it rules so far....

I also got it at B&N. Most major chains should have it.

"Get the yellow book, I need the number for those guys at NASA." "Do i look like i have "slave" tatooed on my forhead??" "get the book! get the book! get the *^%$$! BOOK! THE BOOK THE BOOK THE BOOK GET THE BOOK!"

lol armageddon :P

I've read the book...is there a sequel?

I've read the book...is there a sequel?the book is barely a year old...

I've read the book...is there a sequel?the book is barely a year old...

So...it was a good book! I would like to know, therefore, if a sequel will be coming out in the future.

I doubt it.

Most books with "sequels" are planned multi-book stories, ie: The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Otherwise it is a character continuing into many novels, ie: Agatha Christie's Perot.

Very rarely do you have a sequel written simply because a book is popular. Steven King never wrote The Stand Part II: War in Africa, for instance.

While very common for movies (and if the JG movie is a hit there may be a sequel) it is very rare for books. About the only example I can think of is Critons' Lost World, which was a sequel to Jurrasic Park, and a wholly uninspired book.

I would rather see a new book with new ideas, as opposed to trying to capitalise (ha!) on the success of Jennifer Government. Now, if Max wanted to write another book set in the capitalizt world, that'd be fine, but I think Jennifer's story has been told.

I doubt it.

Most books with "sequels" are planned multi-book stories, ie: The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Otherwise it is a character continuing into many novels, ie: Agatha Christie's Perot.

Very rarely do you have a sequel written simply because a book is popular. Steven King never wrote The Stand Part II: War in Africa, for instance.

While very common for movies (and if the JG movie is a hit there may be a sequel) it is very rare for books. About the only example I can think of is Critons' Lost World, which was a sequel to Jurrasic Park, and a wholly uninspired book.

I would rather see a new book with new ideas, as opposed to trying to capitalise (ha!) on the success of Jennifer Government. Now, if Max wanted to write another book set in the capitalizt world, that'd be fine, but I think Jennifer's story has been told.

I suppose that's fair enough.

I doubt it.

Most books with "sequels" are planned multi-book stories, ie: The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Otherwise it is a character continuing into many novels, ie: Agatha Christie's Perot.

Very rarely do you have a sequel written simply because a book is popular. Steven King never wrote The Stand Part II: War in Africa, for instance.

While very common for movies (and if the JG movie is a hit there may be a sequel) it is very rare for books. About the only example I can think of is Critons' Lost World, which was a sequel to Jurrasic Park, and a wholly uninspired book.

I would rather see a new book with new ideas, as opposed to trying to capitalise (ha!) on the success of Jennifer Government. Now, if Max wanted to write another book set in the capitalizt world, that'd be fine, but I think Jennifer's story has been told.

Um - many, many series evolve from a single book. "The Lord of the Rings" was intended as a sequel to "The Hobbit". James Bond started with "Casino Royale" and went on from there. "Dune" was a standalone novel. "Artemis Fowl" was initially a one-off, as was "The Pride of Chanur". The whole "Discworld" corpus was written one book at a time, and now about every third book is a sort-of sequel to one or more of the earlier ones ... now, there are a lot of series that are planned as such, and are rubber-stamped for a three, four or five book run from the Get-Go ... but that's definitely not the only way to get a sequence going.

Not sure "Jennifer Government" can sustain a sequel though. Sorry Max, it's an entertaining enough read but I wanted more depth so that the satire would bite ... depth of world, and depth of character. The book felt as shallow as the world it parodies ... the book, in fact, felt like the Hollywood adaptation of itself.

On the upside, I can see it making a great movie.

I doubt it.

Most books with "sequels" are planned multi-book stories, ie: The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Otherwise it is a character continuing into many novels, ie: Agatha Christie's Perot.

Very rarely do you have a sequel written simply because a book is popular. Steven King never wrote The Stand Part II: War in Africa, for instance.

While very common for movies (and if the JG movie is a hit there may be a sequel) it is very rare for books. About the only example I can think of is Critons' Lost World, which was a sequel to Jurrasic Park, and a wholly uninspired book.

I would rather see a new book with new ideas, as opposed to trying to capitalise (ha!) on the success of Jennifer Government. Now, if Max wanted to write another book set in the capitalizt world, that'd be fine, but I think Jennifer's story has been told.

Um - many, many series evolve from a single book. "The Lord of the Rings" was intended as a sequel to "The Hobbit". James Bond started with "Casino Royale" and went on from there. "Dune" was a standalone novel. "Artemis Fowl" was initially a one-off, as was "The Pride of Chanur". The whole "Discworld" corpus was written one book at a time, and now about every third book is a sort-of sequel to one or more of the earlier ones ... now, there are a lot of series that are planned as such, and are rubber-stamped for a three, four or five book run from the Get-Go ... but that's definitely not the only way to get a sequence going.

Not sure "Jennifer Government" can sustain a sequel though. Sorry Max, it's an entertaining enough read but I wanted more depth so that the satire would bite ... depth of world, and depth of character. The book felt as shallow as the world it parodies ... the book, in fact, felt like the Hollywood adaptation of itself.

On the upside, I can see it making a great movie.Exactly :) This whole book was written like a screenplay for a kick-butt movie.If everyone on this site donated 20 dollars we could have the beginnings of a movie budget lol

Or if Mr. Clooney gave the go ahead and 20 Millions !

:shock:

I hope there isn't a sequel. It would ruin the book. A bad sequel ruins the story. And this book was F'IN AWSOME!!! I'm thinking of getting syrup sometime soon. Hope to see the movie coming out soon too. O_o

I hope there isn't a sequel. It would ruin the book. A bad sequel ruins the story. And this book was F'IN AWSOME!!! I'm thinking of getting syrup sometime soon. Hope to see the movie coming out soon too. O_o

I would have to agree. And I highly reccomend Syrup. Quite enjoyable, and even more scathing at times.

bought the book
red the book
loved the book
the whole convergance of storylines is fantastic

my one niggle was that for whatever reason it was a very quick reed.
if i have morney and i see it in the shops ill pick up syrup, even though i dont have a clue what its about.. but hay! fun fun fun

my one niggle was that for whatever reason it was a very quick reed.
if i have morney and i see it in the shops ill pick up syrup, even though i dont have a clue what its about.. but hay! fun fun fun

I think this also. The book wasn't exactly a big book and I think that it could have been a bit bigger.

I thought that it was sufficiant.

I thought that it was sufficiant.

Well, it was enough but I feel that it could've been a bit bigger and thus we could've had more of the really good stuff that Max has written. :wink:

i really want 'them' to ship syrup over here so i can see how it compaires

i really want 'them' to ship syrup over here so i can see how it compaires

Over where?

Max, I think we have reached a consensus here. Your next book needs to be much longer. Jennifer Government was a great read, but it could have been twice as long. Your writing is superb, and some people might want a quick read, I certainly wouldn't.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

Max, I think we have reached a consensus here. Your next book needs to be much longer. Jennifer Government was a great read, but it could have been twice as long. Your writing is superb, and some people might want a quick read, I certainly wouldn't.

Agreed. :D

Any book that has such a following, has my vote......

Bought it and will read. Thanks to all who make this surreal (and darn good fun) project work........

A Newbie

looking forward to the new book...

looking forward to the new book...

Me too, until then, I will look to buy Syrup.

its good

its good

I've sorta guessed that from what everyone else has been saying.

Alas Syrup has yet to ship to the uk..... or if it has it shiped in tiny quantities and never left London...
having thouraghly disected the website and the first chapter i think i will enjoy it....

everyone should check out his essays and short stories.. there good for a laugh, and in some cases an interesting point of view

have you ever heard of a thing called Amazon? I'm sure you can get the book there.

everyone should check out his essays and short stories.. there good for a laugh, and in some cases an interesting point of view

Do you have a link for that?

boink

http://www.maxbarry.com/max/writings.html

boink

http://www.maxbarry.com/max/writings.html

Cheers! :D

IT is one of the best books I have ever read.

IT is one of the best books I have ever read.

IT is one of the best books I have ever read.

one could say.. three times as good :P

one could say.. three times as good :P

what was your most favourit aspect of it?

for me it was the gradual convergence of story lines over the cource