Review by Mairduck -- Final Notice by Van Fleisher

Mairduck · Post by **Mairduck** » 04 Aug 2018, 11:56

[Following is a volunteer review of "Final Notice" by Van Fleisher.]

4 out of 4 stars

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What would you do if you knew you were going to die in a week? Would you choose to right any wrongs you have done? Would you try to right wrongs done to you? This is an interesting quandary posed by this book. It delves into the different choices made by a group of people who receive this notification. The author does an excellent job of setting up these characters and explaining their motivations.

There are three main groups of people in this book. The first group of people is the company and developers responsible for creating the notification. The author does a thorough job of both explaining their historical motivations and their perceived responsibilities and desires as the book progresses. The second group of people are the people who choose to right wrongs done to them. Each character is developed so that you can understand and empathize with their choices. The final group of people are the people who choose to right wrongs they may have done. While their choices are easy to understand, they are a stunning example of human nature.

The book is an exposition on human nature and society. Character is generally defined as what we do when no one is looking. The reason for this is, character is based off what you do when there are no external moral consequences or rewards. Essentially this is the same situation, that the characters who are going to die are given. Whether you believe humanity is inherently good or inherently evil, you will see choices that reflect this. The book does not limit itself to the personal morals and choices of the dying characters. It also reflects on society in general. It analyzes how much media and politics affect our daily choices. It addresses the fascination we have with bad news. The author takes a deep look into the continuing battle between nature versus nurture.

Respect for technology also plays a very strong role in this book. We have had an increasingly rapid development of technology in the last one hundred years. The printing press was invented in 1440, and considered to be one of the greatest leaps of technology. The first gas powered automobile was invented around 1885. This was considered a marvel for its time. Time has allowed for us to catch up to these inventions. After all, in 1914, the first stop light was invented, because the only two cars in a town had an accident. The last century, however, has seen our dreams take new flight. Ideas have generated into science fiction, and then into reality. We have been to the Moon, the stars, and other planets within our galaxy (virtually speaking). Communication that used to take days and weeks, is now done in nanoseconds. However, we have not had the time based stopgaps that we previously did. We have learned painfully about being the product in situations where we thought we were the consumer. The story addresses some of the advances in technology, and the decisions about whether the technology is more important than the potential sacrifices.

In the end, you are left with the choices made by the three groups. The author does not imply any judgement on the characters, and you are left to infer your own response. It is a well written enjoyable ride. While the premise of the notification is currently science fiction, like many things in the last century, it may not be that far off. The author presents a compelling case as to how to deal with the situation when it does arise.

I rate this book as 4 out of 4.

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Final Notice
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chelhack · Post by **chelhack** » 05 Aug 2018, 19:18

I am just beginning this book and judging from the reviews it sounds like it will be a great read. Though, I am still left with the question of all the things I would or would not do if I knew that I was going to die.