Please wait... This may take a moment.
Show Time
by Phil Harvey
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Pub Date
Apr 02 2012
| Archive Date
Mar 24 2016
Description
Future viewing audiences have become totally desensitized to violence and entirely dependent on sensation to escape their boring workaday lives—an addiction nurtured by the media with graphic portrayals of war and crime and with so-called reality rogramming. Now, TV execs in pursuit of the only things they care about—higher ratings and bigger paychecks—have created the ultimate reality show: Seven people, each bearing the scars of his or her past, are deposited on an island in the middle of Lake Superior. Given some bare necessities and the promise of $400,000 each if they can endure, the three women and four men risk death by starvation or freezing as the Great Lakes winter approaches.
The island is wired for sound, and flying drones provide the video feed, so everything the contestants do and say is broadcast worldwide. Their seven-month ordeal is entirely unscripted, they can’t ask for help or they forfeit the prize, and as far as the network is concerned—the fewer survivors the better.
For fans of the chilling dystopian vision of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games, the social issues of oppressive government in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, and the accessible voice of Jonathan Franzen.
Future viewing audiences have become totally desensitized to violence and entirely dependent on sensation to escape their boring workaday lives—an addiction nurtured by the media with graphic...
Description
Future viewing audiences have become totally desensitized to violence and entirely dependent on sensation to escape their boring workaday lives—an addiction nurtured by the media with graphic portrayals of war and crime and with so-called reality rogramming. Now, TV execs in pursuit of the only things they care about—higher ratings and bigger paychecks—have created the ultimate reality show: Seven people, each bearing the scars of his or her past, are deposited on an island in the middle of Lake Superior. Given some bare necessities and the promise of $400,000 each if they can endure, the three women and four men risk death by starvation or freezing as the Great Lakes winter approaches.
The island is wired for sound, and flying drones provide the video feed, so everything the contestants do and say is broadcast worldwide. Their seven-month ordeal is entirely unscripted, they can’t ask for help or they forfeit the prize, and as far as the network is concerned—the fewer survivors the better.
For fans of the chilling dystopian vision of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games, the social issues of oppressive government in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, and the accessible voice of Jonathan Franzen.
A Note From the Publisher
Also available in ebook format, $9.99.
Also available in ebook format, $9.99.
Advance Praise
“Show Time is a gripping page-turner. Reality TV has never been more frighteningly real.”
—John Fremont, author, Sins of the Fathers
“A vision of the future that is laugh-out-loud, until we realize how
much it looks like the world we live in now.”
—Frank S. Joseph, award-winning author of To Love Mercy
“A thrilling immersion in the emotional, physical, and sexual reality of characters who thought they were playing a game but find they must fight to survive.”
—Linda Morefield, senior review editor, The Washington Independent Review of Books
“Phil Harvey has crafted a psychological thriller that takes reality shows, and in fact much of our popular culture, into a realm of true horror. His skill in delving into the psychology of the characters keeps the reader turning the pages. … Show Time is a thinking reader’s thriller and a thoroughly entertaining read.”
—The Washington Independent Review of Books
“Phil Harvey elegantly dissects the plummeting values of 21st-century America, while his plot twists seize the reader by the lapels. A great read!”
—David Stewart, best-selling author of American Emperor: Aaron Burr’s Challenge to Jefferson’s America
“Show Time is a gripping page-turner. Reality TV has never been more frighteningly real.”
—John Fremont, author, Sins of the Fathers
“A vision of the future that is laugh-out-loud, until we realize how
...
Advance Praise
“Show Time is a gripping page-turner. Reality TV has never been more frighteningly real.”
—John Fremont, author, Sins of the Fathers
“A vision of the future that is laugh-out-loud, until we realize how
much it looks like the world we live in now.”
—Frank S. Joseph, award-winning author of To Love Mercy
“A thrilling immersion in the emotional, physical, and sexual reality of characters who thought they were playing a game but find they must fight to survive.”
—Linda Morefield, senior review editor, The Washington Independent Review of Books
“Phil Harvey has crafted a psychological thriller that takes reality shows, and in fact much of our popular culture, into a realm of true horror. His skill in delving into the psychology of the characters keeps the reader turning the pages. … Show Time is a thinking reader’s thriller and a thoroughly entertaining read.”
—The Washington Independent Review of Books
“Phil Harvey elegantly dissects the plummeting values of 21st-century America, while his plot twists seize the reader by the lapels. A great read!”
—David Stewart, best-selling author of American Emperor: Aaron Burr’s Challenge to Jefferson’s America
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9781935448112 |
| PRICE |
$15.99 (USD)
|
Additional Information
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9781935448112 |
| PRICE |
$15.99 (USD)
|
Average rating from 62 members
Featured Reviews
Dr Tamera S, Educator
Loved this book. A must read.
Mary Y, Librarian
A group of individuals have been put on a deserted island with limited supplies and resources. The purpose, to entertain the audiences at home. It is believed by government leaders, that contained and controlled violence will prevent large-scale war and destruction.
I thought this was a pretty interesting premise. I did want more from the characters, more development, more history, I don’t know, just more. I also thought the book seemed unfinished. I would have liked a few more chapters or an epilogue to wrap things up. Despite these criticisms, I enjoyed the book. I would love to read more from this author.
Angie T, Reviewer
This was like the Hunger games on steroids.It was very nasty and very realistic in places.Its certainly a game show with a difference.I do enjoy these dystopian type game show books, this is the 3rd book like this I have read and each one is different,could be a genre all by itself.I liked the variety of characters in this book some more than others,and as I don't like spoilers I am going to run off now and say if you like this type of book as I do, this one hits the mark and you should enjoy it as much as I did.
Kevin M, Bookseller
Unique novel with some interesting characters. Tells you what people will do for entertainment.
Featured Reviews
Dr Tamera S, Educator
Loved this book. A must read.
Mary Y, Librarian
A group of individuals have been put on a deserted island with limited supplies and resources. The purpose, to entertain the audiences at home. It is believed by government leaders, that contained and controlled violence will prevent large-scale war and destruction.
I thought this was a pretty interesting premise. I did want more from the characters, more development, more history, I don’t know, just more. I also thought the book seemed unfinished. I would have liked a few more chapters or an epilogue to wrap things up. Despite these criticisms, I enjoyed the book. I would love to read more from this author.
Angie T, Reviewer
This was like the Hunger games on steroids.It was very nasty and very realistic in places.Its certainly a game show with a difference.I do enjoy these dystopian type game show books, this is the 3rd book like this I have read and each one is different,could be a genre all by itself.I liked the variety of characters in this book some more than others,and as I don't like spoilers I am going to run off now and say if you like this type of book as I do, this one hits the mark and you should enjoy it as much as I did.
Kevin M, Bookseller
Unique novel with some interesting characters. Tells you what people will do for entertainment.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Hard Town
Adam Plantinga
General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
The Ghostwriter
Julie Clark
General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers, Women's Fiction
