Review of Final Notice
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EfrenObrien1
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Review of Final Notice
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, Final Notice.]
"Final Notice," was an intriguing book on many levels. The story on its face was interesting and thought provoking...that medical technology had reached such an advanced state to where a device in the form of a watch could accurately predict the date of a person's death. A fascinating premise to base a novel on although kind of morbid (for a non-medical professional) and even a little scary. Nonetheless, this medical device, "the TV2," opened up the possibilities in the story to demonstrate and analyze human behavior of the people who received a "Final Notice," via the watch device and the way those people subsequently reacted. Several former professional elderly people (all men) upon finding out that they had limited time to live, enacted retribution against those who had either wronged them in the past or those they held a grievance against and shot and killed them. This was happening so frequently in the story as the TV2 read, "Final Notice," that the FBI became involved and began investigating the "Final Notice" related murders.
The story had several obvious political messages as well as an overall political or moral theme. The National Rifle Association (NRA)
is definitely shown as a "villainous" organization, espousing a philosophy that guns make the elderly population safer...and every elderly person, and teachers in school should carry them. The story portrayed Asian and Middle Eastern Immigrants in a sophisticated, law abiding and positive light that one can relate to. Personally, I have known people very similar in personality to the friendly and intelligent immigrants from the Middle East as portrayed in the book; coming to America and honestly trying to forge a new life after leaving a war torn country behind them.
The author also portrays (although perhaps not overtly) an insensitive (to the obstacles facing minorities) and paranoid white majority population in America that seeks to arm itself to the hilt with guns..,and maintain political control with members of Congrss (all right wing fanatics and male) who wiil stop at nothing to see their "Right-Wing" agenda's succeed so that the gun lobby through the NRA continues and they maintain political control.
Overall, the story is an interesting and very thought provoking parody of the author's perception of the United States, our current laws, way of life, cultural norms and politics. The ending of the story is outrageous but thought provoking as well, as the NRA Convention in Washington becomes a free for all shootout by accident and a Pro-gun Congressmen and NRA Chief are killed by the very weapons they promote through the NRA...how ironic!
The story is a good read however there is so much "back and forth" between scenes with the books characters, and quite a lot of "telling" that the story's depth into the personalities of the main characters (maybe except for Vince and Trudi) is somewhat shallow. I rate the book 4 out of 5. "Final Notice" is definitely a thought provoking and worthwhile read.
"Final Notice," was an intriguing book on many levels. The story on its face was interesting and thought provoking...that medical technology had reached such an advanced state to where a device in the form of a watch could accurately predict the date of a person's death. A fascinating premise to base a novel on although kind of morbid (for a non-medical professional) and even a little scary. Nonetheless, this medical device, "the TV2," opened up the possibilities in the story to demonstrate and analyze human behavior of the people who received a "Final Notice," via the watch device and the way those people subsequently reacted. Several former professional elderly people (all men) upon finding out that they had limited time to live, enacted retribution against those who had either wronged them in the past or those they held a grievance against and shot and killed them. This was happening so frequently in the story as the TV2 read, "Final Notice," that the FBI became involved and began investigating the "Final Notice" related murders.
The story had several obvious political messages as well as an overall political or moral theme. The National Rifle Association (NRA)
is definitely shown as a "villainous" organization, espousing a philosophy that guns make the elderly population safer...and every elderly person, and teachers in school should carry them. The story portrayed Asian and Middle Eastern Immigrants in a sophisticated, law abiding and positive light that one can relate to. Personally, I have known people very similar in personality to the friendly and intelligent immigrants from the Middle East as portrayed in the book; coming to America and honestly trying to forge a new life after leaving a war torn country behind them.
The author also portrays (although perhaps not overtly) an insensitive (to the obstacles facing minorities) and paranoid white majority population in America that seeks to arm itself to the hilt with guns..,and maintain political control with members of Congrss (all right wing fanatics and male) who wiil stop at nothing to see their "Right-Wing" agenda's succeed so that the gun lobby through the NRA continues and they maintain political control.
Overall, the story is an interesting and very thought provoking parody of the author's perception of the United States, our current laws, way of life, cultural norms and politics. The ending of the story is outrageous but thought provoking as well, as the NRA Convention in Washington becomes a free for all shootout by accident and a Pro-gun Congressmen and NRA Chief are killed by the very weapons they promote through the NRA...how ironic!
The story is a good read however there is so much "back and forth" between scenes with the books characters, and quite a lot of "telling" that the story's depth into the personalities of the main characters (maybe except for Vince and Trudi) is somewhat shallow. I rate the book 4 out of 5. "Final Notice" is definitely a thought provoking and worthwhile read.
