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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom is speed-boosted bumper cars.
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have had this book on my TBR list since last year, mostly because of the title and the fact that it is a road trip book. (I just love those) So when I was looking around for a new audiobook to listen to this one popped up, and I am so glad I chose to listen to it this week. It was a hilarious book that had me laughing out loud as I listened. It is a pretty unique book with a lot of colorful characters and interesting commentary on all of the societal ills that the younger generations are having to deal with.
First off I just have to say that Ari Fliakos does a fantastic job with the narration. Every character had a unique voice and accent, even the ones who are only on page for a very short time. It was fantastic, I was never confused as to who was talking or whose point of view we were engaging with. I loved it and will certainly be adding him to my list of favorite readers.
As I mentioned there are a lot of characters in this story and all of them have important roles to play, even the ones who we only see once. All of them are very colorful and quirky and yet had very distinct voices. Only the ones who are the major players in the story are well fleshed out, but the others all had their roles to play and they do it well.
Abbott and Ether are probably the two most important characters as they are the ones transporting this mysterious box. Their conversations in the car were very well done, and it is where we get most of the commentary on society and all of the anxieties and issues facing young people today. I really enjoyed both of them and had sympathy for both of their issues and views of the world. The other mainish characters are Abbott’s dad, a retired FBI agent, and a excon biker who also wants what is in the box. Their characters and points of view were also vital to the story as it unfolds.
One of the best parts of the story though, is all of the comments and theories that are started by random people on the internet and on the Reddit threads about what is in the black box. Those were absolutely hilarious and really makes you think about how crazy some people can get with their conjectures and conspiracy theories. At one point Abbott and Ether are in Roswell, NM so people start talking about how there is a dead alien in the box. I loved it. Such a great commentary on how awful social media is and how quickly things can get out of control.
The plot is very fast moving and I was here for the entire ride across the country. I had my own ideas about what was in that box, but nothing was stranger than the truth. The lead up to the big reveal was so outrageous and unexpected that it really had me almost yelling at the book to just tell me what was in the box already! Great writing and characters really were excellent in this book, the social commentary was also excellent and very on point.
If you enjoy funny satire, quirky, yet lovable characters, and a fast moving plot that involves a road trip this is a book you really should give a chance. This is my first book by this author, but I don’t think it will be my last.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is, at times, witty and observant and funny.
However, there are about 5 narrators who weave in and out of the story and only one of those narrators is interesting or moves the story forward in any way. I think you could only read the Abbot chapters and not really miss too much of the story.
Also, the book works in the super literal way. There is no metaphor, there is no subtext.
However, there are about 5 narrators who weave in and out of the story and only one of those narrators is interesting or moves the story forward in any way. I think you could only read the Abbot chapters and not really miss too much of the story.
Also, the book works in the super literal way. There is no metaphor, there is no subtext.
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The author has a very distinctive writing style, which I enjoyed! Sharp, witty, and funny. The humor and general tone were a little darker than I generally enjoy, but I thought this was an excellently written book and commentary on social media, negative news bias, and Gen Z and below generations. The “black box of doom” in the title actually being the echo chambers that we get caught in online, the way we say and repeat escalating series of awful and provocative things with no real thought of the consequences, and the way these serve to isolate us and make us focus on the most negative aspects of our world instead of all the positives was great. I did feel called out multiple times and thought the author did a good job of showing all of the characters and their backgrounds with empathy and as full, three dimensional people.
I loved the twist that the box a) never contained radioactive material, it was just a band sticker, b) was just transporting vintage porn, as had previously been thrown out there was a mocking idea, and c) just the fact that we get to see how quickly the whole thing spirals online. Also, Abbott being an incel and Ether a former makeup influencer, but then them being able to work together and have all these conversations in the real world!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was…. something. I don’t even know. It was ok. It was also bad at the same time. Like, the whole middle section of the book, the author decided to stop writing a story and start preaching about incels vs feminism - don’t get me wrong, those are fine topics to write about, but Pargin takes a hammer and repeatedly hits the reader over the head with long swaths of on-the-nose dialogue and circular talking points THAT NEVER END. There’s no subtly. It’s just a long, 100+ page stream of consciousness type thing. Was really a slog. But then I don’t know, cause the actual bits of story we do get are decently fun. What’s in the box is so dumb, but I don’t hate it for being dumb, that’s really the point.
brilliant and wildly hilarious commentary on life and society as we know it today. what an insane ride!!