{Review} The Fridgularity by Mark A. Rayner

ISBN #: 978-1927590003

Page Count: 412

Copyright: October 19, 2012

Publisher: Monkeyjoy Press

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

Blake Given's web-enabled fridge has pulled the plug on the Internet, turning its owner's life - and the whole world - upside down.

Blake has modest ambitions for his life. He wants to have his job reclassified, so he can join the Creative Department of the advertising firm where he works. And he wants to go out with Daphne, one of the account execs at the same company. His fridge has other plans. All Blake knows is he's at the center of the Internet's disappearance, worldwide economic and religious chaos, and the possibility of a nuclear apocalypse - none of which is helping him with his career plans or love life.

The Fridgularity is the story of a reluctant prophet, Internet addicts in withdrawal and a kitchen appliance with delusions of grandeur.

Charlene's Review:

Blake Given is a rather unlikely god, but when his refrigerator begins messaging him and shuts down the world's power supply, Blake is thrust into the spotlight as "the Speaker," the only one to whom the mysterious entity "Zathir" will communicate. Zathir's wish: to use all available bandwith and even the minds of selected few, to continue to grow in power. Having the entire power supply and internet shut down brings on economic crashes, possibility of nuclear war, and new world religions.

The definition of "singularity" on which the book is focused is "when artificial intelligence advances to the point that it exceeds human intelligence and technological progress increases to a level that we can't imagine." While using a satirical, humorous viewpoint, Mr. Rayner may be more dead-on with the results of a technology apocalypse than we care to admit. With people walking around semi-comatose from withdrawal from social media and others taking advantage of those weaknesses, it paints a dreary picture of possibility, and yet he manages to poke fun by describing people "playing twitter" by passing notes, and writing on Blake's walls to update their Facebook.

The Fridgularity is a fun, quirky story that makes you ponder our dependence on the Internet, and intertwines it with a sci-fi feel in the spirit of War Games. I especially like Mr. Rayner's sense of humor, as witnessed in these pages, as well as in Pirate Therapy. There is an obvious intelligence behind the mocking he so abundantly enjoys. He has a way of making you think, as well as entertaining you. I see more great reads ahead with Mr. Rayner.


*A paperback copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.