What Max Barry Is Up To These Days

A few years ago, I discovered the Australian novelist, Max Barry. At the time, Max had one novel under his belt, and that was Syrup. It was out-of-print, but attracted by what I read about the novel, I managed to track down a copy. It was so funny, I immediately bought several more copies and sent them to my unsuspecting friends.

The opinion was unanimous. Everyone loved Syrup and collectively we all wondered what the hell this book was doing out-of-print.

Then Max wrote Jennifer Government and followed with Company in 2006. The second novel, Jennifer Government was released with a considerable amount of fanfare, and after reading it, I wasn’t surprised to learn that the book had been optioned by George Clooney. At the time I remember speculating who would play what. I am not a fan of Hollywood films, and I am often accused of being a film snob, but I was intrigued by the idea of a film version of Jennifer Government, and I also hoped that this would be Max’s Big Break. But at the same time, since Max has a decidedly anti-establishment bent, somehow I couldn’t see him lolling in the Hollywood limelight, and in a perverse way, I followed the Jennifer Government  film project at a distance.  But the film was never made, and Max didn’t hit the Big Time. Somewhere along the way, the film idea fizzled….

So that brings me to the topic of this post. Since Max isn’t drinking Mai-Tais under the palm trees of Beverly Hills, what is he up to these days?

Well go to www.maxbarry.com and you’ll see. Max, and I must say I always respect this man’s creativity and ingenuity, is embarked on a revolutionary delivery for his fans. Back when Max was writing Jennifer Government, he created a game called NationStates–a game which publicized the book. Now, he’s writing something called Machine Man, and you can sign up and get a page a day FREE. This is delivered via e-mail and then somewhere along the line, you can buy the whole thing for 6.95. I just checked Max’s website and he says he has 2700 subscribers. I’m not surprised because Max has a huge loyal (and dare I say it rabid) fan base–even if Hollywood doesn’t realize it.

Anyway, I was thinking about Max this morning after reading Max Cairnduff’s post over at Pechorin’s Journal. Technology may the answer for some authors who are becoming increasingly frustrated with the publishing world where decisions are made by committee and those committees make decisions based on…well sometimes I can’t explain what does get published .

And for readers, this technology stuff could be good….

Jennifer Government by Max Barry

“We’re all cogs in the wealth-making machine.”

In a world set in the not-too-distant and quite believable future, government takes a back seat to business. Big business controls the world, and entire continents are subsumed to business alliances–US Alliance and TA (Team Advantage). With almost tribe-like allegiances, employees take the name of their employer as a surname–therefore, with this definition, Jennifer Government works for the government, and the unemployed?…Well , they’re Unmentionables as far as consumer spending is concerned.

One day, at the water cooler, Hack Nike meets John Nike, Guerrilla Marketing Operative, New Sales, and John Nike, Guerrilla Marketing Vice-President. Hack is offered a job promoting a new brand of tennis shoes, and when pressured, he quickly signs a contract detailing the job. Too late, Hack Nike learns why it’s a good thing to always read contracts before signing them….

To Hack’s horror, he is told that he has just signed an agreement to assassinate 10 people who buy the new shoes. The 2 John Nikes from Guerrilla Marketing plan to use the killings as a part of a media blitz that will ultimately promote the new brand. Unable to contemplate killing anyone, Hack, does what any good citizen would do under the circumstances–he goes to the police. But the police are only interested in subcontracting the deal to the NRA.

In a world where business corporations thwart, ignore, and subvert already weakened government controls, the interests of business and government are diametrically opposed. Thanks to Hack’s contract, government and business interests are set on a collision course where only one element can emerge and rule. Jennifer Government is the tattooed agent with a personal interest in stopping Nike’s Guerrilla Marketing.

Rapidly paced, well-constructed, and written with panache, this futuristic novel is a change of pace for Australian author, Max Barry. Barry’s first novel, Syrup, lampooned the world of marketing with strong wit. Jennifer Government is a much more serious novel–an indictment of the world as it may well become–a world in which it is in the best interests of business who now flagrantly “put a price tag on human life” to unleash anarchy and create the ultimate free-market.

If you haven’t tried Max Barry yet, I urge you to do so. He’s refreshing and very, very funny. Take a look at his blog, or better yet, take a look and then sign up for his e-mail list.

www.maxbarry.com

Company by Max Barry

“Nobody escapes Human Resources.”

Author Max Barry is back to skewer corporate culture once again in his latest satiric novel, Company. Hopeful, idealistic, naive Stephen Jones is the latest hire at the mysterious Zephyr Corporation. Jones is assigned to the Training Sales Department, and when Jones asks some basic questions regarding Zephyr’s mission, he’s swooped up into the secret “Alpha Project”.

Zephyr is a vicious place to work, and after the doughnut debacle that takes place on his first day, Jones is soon exposed to all the corporate lingo. Golden parachutes, golden handshakes, and golden handcuffs are all part of the nightmarish competive atmosphere that prevails at Zephyr. With downsizing, outsourcing, and squabbles over parking spots, Zephyr employees live in a constant state of paranoia.

Like most people, Jones wants to be a success, but is he willing to pay the price? Eve, the beautiful cynical receptionist who’s rumoured to be the mistress of Zephyr CEO Daniel Klausman sees ethics as “the spin we put on our lives to justify what we do.” And even though Jones is warned that Eve’s “ideal job would be giving lethal injections at San Quentin,” he’s lured by her beauty and the promise of power and wealth.

Jones works with a variety of stressed executives–the diminutive Sydney, and the crafty, eye-patch sporting, well-dressed Blake. Anyone who’s worked in an office should enjoy Barry’s wicked humour as he mercilessly lampoons corporate culture. Yes, Zephyr is a hilarious exaggeration, but it’s so close to the viciousness of office/corporate politics that most people (especially if you’ve ever run afoul of Human resources) will enjoy this clever and amusing romp through the world of big business. Company is “Enron-meets-Catch 22″ and it’s marvelous fun.