INTERFACE

A powerful global network of powerbrokers and investors, out to recoup their money from the national debt, put up a perfect candidate for president, a midwestern governor with a special biochip implant.

Bury (a pseudonym for Neal Stephenson, author of Snow Crash , and J. Frederick George) has concocted a clever premise for his complex, entertaining, frequently funny political thriller. Right before the next presidential election, the incumbent proposes to solve the problem of the national debt by simply refusing to pay. This irks a powerful alliance of investors, and they move into action. Illinois Gov. William A. Cozzano suffers a stroke and, as a part of a radical new therapy, has a biochip implanted in his brain. The chip allows Cozzano to make a miraculous recovery--and also gives him access to an instantaneous polling system. He can "sense" the mood of the voters and instantly responds by telling them what they want most to hear. The campaign proceeds as (meticulously) planned, through the debates, primaries and conventions, and Cozzano seems like a sure bet--until he begins to slip out of control. Crammed with throwaway detail on the political process, medical and computer advances, the media and much, much more, Bury's vision of a system ultimately controlled by media handlers is so entertaining that you don't really mind when his plot goes a bit over the top.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In the political mondo bizarro of 1996, presidential campaigning molts into the pandering to the mob it nearly is now. Taking instant polling into the next dimension, the authors (two share the Bury pseudonym) set up their digital future: one candidate's brain, wired into a computer, directly registers the reactions of a network of schlemiels--the voters--to his every word and image. After a slow introduction of the characters, action picks up beyond page 200, as neurosurgeon, computer whiz, and pollster coordinate the scam. The nefarious impetus to their plot comes from the Network--holders of government debt who need automatons to do their bidding. Unfortunately for them, one of the wired voters, Frank Vishniak, starts shooting everybody involved, including the victorious candidate. A weird, verbose action thriller for politicos. Gilbert Taylor

The combination of mind control and presidential politics has long been a powerful theme for political thrillers. Bury updates the idea by making the mind controller a biochip implanted in one candidate's brain. The chip is controlled by a wealthy, clandestine network. When the current president declares that the government will renege on the national debt, the network stands to lose trillions. It swings into action by lining up neurosurgeons, computer experts, campaign managers, and all the minions needed to win the election and control the presidency. Bury combines such diverse themes as brain research and dirty politics with unruly and colorful characters. While it may all amount to too much of a good thing, there are veins of humor and insight that keep pace with the breakneck plot developments. The story is well written and contains some great dialog. A good bet for spring and summer reading.
- Barbara Conaty, Library of Congress
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.