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Flash - L.E. Modesitt Jr. Book Review

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Review Summary

L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Tor, Sep 2004, 25.95, 480 pp.
ISBN: 0765311283

In the twenty-fourth century, observing his government lie and condone atrocities, former Marine officer Jonat deVrai resigned his military commission; he became an expert on product advertising. The Centre for Societal Research hires Jonat to analyze the election campaign of Juan Carlisimo who is running for the Senate. Jonat quickly questions the ethics and perhaps the illegal use of “rez", resonant amplification of music to enhance the candidate's message through emotional manipulation. The simple case turns nasty when thugs try to drive Jonat off the investigation.

At the same time Abraham Vorhees, whose services were exposed as a sham by Jonat threatens to kill his adversary. Jonat also becomes involved in a plot to smuggle illicit weapons to Mars to smother a revolt. So when four illegal cydroids attempt to kill Jonat, he has no idea who is behind the assault. He turns to cydroid law enforcement officer Paula Athene for help.

This futuristic crime thriller portrays big government and big business as being an incestuous team interested in the furthering of their own personal needs at the cost of the masses.

Harriet Klausner

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar


Detailed literary breakdown of Flash
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - unraveling a conspiracy
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
If enemy is a group... - big corporation

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - business executive
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
Earth setting: - medium future 22-24th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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