By Max Barry
Doubleday
Hardcover, Paperback and Audio CD (Abridged) Editions

An author's primary objective is to entertain. Max Barry fulfills that obligation with ease in Jennifer Government. From the first chapter, where Hack Nike, a Merc Officer (Merchandise Distribution Officer) is hired by the VP of Guerrilla Marketing as a mercenary to kill customers in order to build up street credibility for the newest Nikes, the story takes off and never lets up.

This novel is enjoyable on a variety of levels. As an action story, the plot moves fast and has many unanticipated twists. As a character story, the protagonists come across as real people deserving of support and sympathy. As a science fiction novel, the treatment of the concepts is thought-provoking, even, if not entirely original. As a stylistic piece, this novel slips in puns both subtle and blatant. The book will stimulate a wealth of thoughts and reactions.

Jennifer Government Excerpt "The police didn't do these shootings. You want to know who did?" "Uh," Hack said. "The NRA. We've got data on six incidents, and it smells like those National Rifle clowns all the way. They think undercover is guys in black T-shirts and camouflage pants. So what does that suggest to you, Hack?" Hack shook his head. "It means the Police subcontracted, too." John sighed. "Everyone wants to outsource these days. No one has respect for core competencies." ©2003 Max Barry Published with permission from Doubleday

The characterization is executed smoothly. Every character does what he or she thinks is best, often with disastrous results. After unwittingly signing a contract to kill customers for Nike, Hack goes straight to the police. They offer to help by filling the contract on his behalf, for an appropriately exorbitant fee. When the police, in turn, outsource the killings, events spiral out of control for everyone involved.

As chaos ensues, the plot gallops along at a breakneck pace. Characters hop between Europe, Australia and America. As the climax is reached at identical malls continents apart, it is at times a little confusing in keeping track of everyone and what they are doing. Fortunately, Barry is a skilled storyteller who never misses a beat in the midst of the chaos. This sense of an uncontrollable plot is often reminiscent of Catch 22.

In terms of social commentary, Jennifer Government is a biting satire. Despite the humor and hyperbole, the warnings offered by this story are quite sincere. As corporations continue to grow in size and power, they have the potential of becoming a threat to the very consumers who support them. These dire warnings, despite being couched in satire, are no less serious than those offered by Orwell's 1984.

Overall, this is an excellent novel. All the aspects of a well-told story mesh perfectly. The only drawback to this novel is that with the pace, the narrative becomes slightly confusing, forcing the reader to pull out of the story to regroup. Despite this, Jennifer Government is an entertaining novel from the first page to the last.

Bookworm's Briefing
Max Barry, the author of the cult hit Syrup, apologizes for being Australian. The advantage to writing full-time is that he can do it while wearing only boxer shorts.

Barry's second novel, Jennifer Government, is a satirical look at a near future where corporations rule the world and the government is only a fading shadow. This thought-provoking-action-comedy (anywhere else that description would be an oxymoron) is a pleasure on every level.