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Reviewer's Bookwatch
Volume 19, Number 5
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May 2019
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Apocalypse TV
Thomas Allbaugh
eLectio Publishing
www.electiopublishing.com
9781632134288, $17.99, Paperback
Available on AMAZON
Marlan Warren, Reviewer
Website: ROADMAP GIRL'S BOOK BUZZ
"His whole life has been a sham because he can't accept responsibility for his failure to live by his own convictions." - APOCALYPSE TV
What do reality TV game show contestants, religious fanatics, true believers, atheists, zombies, quarreling siblings, an FBI agent, Elvis impersonator, and an almost-fired English professor at a Christian college have in common? They all come together to interlock as essential players in Thomas Allbaugh's tightly wound, often hilarious, debut novel, APOCALYPSE TV.
Shakespeare today might muse that "All the world's a reality TV game show, and all the men and women merely players in their quest for prizes amid layers of illusions and media hype." It is upon this slippery platform that Allbaugh has built a metaphor for our contentious world as viewed through the lenses of good vs. evil, secular religion vs. spirituality, and love vs. indifference.
The story kicks off when Christian intellectual, Walter Terry, takes a leave of absence from his conservative college in California to visit his dying father in Michigan. Walter has just been put on notice for allowing students to express non-conservative viewpoints, and fears his job is on thin ice.
Walter and his sister are approached in a Midwestern diner by a talent scout for a new reality TV show that claims to be "an investigation into American religious ideas." He describes himself to the pretty interviewer as an "outsider in terms of religion," but sees her write down "soft and vulnerable." This pigeon-holing is exactly what makes these shows maddening, but also makes them fun for the fans.
Seduced by the promise of money and his own rationalization that perhaps a show like this could use an educated analytical thinker, Walter embarks on what will turn out to be a character-building odyssey. After he is entrenched in "Race for the Apocalypse," Walter hears the producer refer to him as the show's "sacrificial lamb." And after that…all bets are off.
APOCALYPSE TV gradually amps up its madness, expanding reality until it pops with an outrageousness that is not quite Marx Brothers, but a fun romp nonetheless.
Allbaugh treads a fine line between crafting a thoughtful, moving plot with three-dimensional characters and satire. He keeps the humor subtle and deadpan, in the vein of Joseph Heller's "Catch-22," while never straying far from the book's serious themes which examine secular religion vs. spirituality, truth vs. fiction, loyalty vs. betrayal.
Nothing turns out to be what it seems, the innocent must suffer, guilty baggage must be unloaded, and once a gun is introduced, it must eventually be used in the finale (with a nod to Chekhov). It is Allbaugh's incredible juggling act that keeps the comedy, drama, and religious debates lightly airborne until they come back down to Earth, not with a bang or a whimper, but with the hard truths of Life and what it means to slog willingly through it.
APOCALYPSE TV will appeal to open-minded faith-based readers, as well as those who have no affiliation with a religion or belief. It argues against the extreme notion that only members of a certain faith are favored by God, while making a case for spiritual salvation through love, faith, hope, service…and the willingness to persevere. Even when the chips are down.
Thomas Allbaugh
eLectio Publishing
www.electiopublishing.com
9781632134288, $17.99, Paperback
Available on AMAZON
Marlan Warren, Reviewer
Website: ROADMAP GIRL'S BOOK BUZZ
"His whole life has been a sham because he can't accept responsibility for his failure to live by his own convictions." - APOCALYPSE TV
What do reality TV game show contestants, religious fanatics, true believers, atheists, zombies, quarreling siblings, an FBI agent, Elvis impersonator, and an almost-fired English professor at a Christian college have in common? They all come together to interlock as essential players in Thomas Allbaugh's tightly wound, often hilarious, debut novel, APOCALYPSE TV.
Shakespeare today might muse that "All the world's a reality TV game show, and all the men and women merely players in their quest for prizes amid layers of illusions and media hype." It is upon this slippery platform that Allbaugh has built a metaphor for our contentious world as viewed through the lenses of good vs. evil, secular religion vs. spirituality, and love vs. indifference.
The story kicks off when Christian intellectual, Walter Terry, takes a leave of absence from his conservative college in California to visit his dying father in Michigan. Walter has just been put on notice for allowing students to express non-conservative viewpoints, and fears his job is on thin ice.
Walter and his sister are approached in a Midwestern diner by a talent scout for a new reality TV show that claims to be "an investigation into American religious ideas." He describes himself to the pretty interviewer as an "outsider in terms of religion," but sees her write down "soft and vulnerable." This pigeon-holing is exactly what makes these shows maddening, but also makes them fun for the fans.
Seduced by the promise of money and his own rationalization that perhaps a show like this could use an educated analytical thinker, Walter embarks on what will turn out to be a character-building odyssey. After he is entrenched in "Race for the Apocalypse," Walter hears the producer refer to him as the show's "sacrificial lamb." And after that…all bets are off.
APOCALYPSE TV gradually amps up its madness, expanding reality until it pops with an outrageousness that is not quite Marx Brothers, but a fun romp nonetheless.
Allbaugh treads a fine line between crafting a thoughtful, moving plot with three-dimensional characters and satire. He keeps the humor subtle and deadpan, in the vein of Joseph Heller's "Catch-22," while never straying far from the book's serious themes which examine secular religion vs. spirituality, truth vs. fiction, loyalty vs. betrayal.
Nothing turns out to be what it seems, the innocent must suffer, guilty baggage must be unloaded, and once a gun is introduced, it must eventually be used in the finale (with a nod to Chekhov). It is Allbaugh's incredible juggling act that keeps the comedy, drama, and religious debates lightly airborne until they come back down to Earth, not with a bang or a whimper, but with the hard truths of Life and what it means to slog willingly through it.
APOCALYPSE TV will appeal to open-minded faith-based readers, as well as those who have no affiliation with a religion or belief. It argues against the extreme notion that only members of a certain faith are favored by God, while making a case for spiritual salvation through love, faith, hope, service…and the willingness to persevere. Even when the chips are down.
================
Official Review: Apocalypse TV by Thomas Allbaugh
Post
by Cecilia_L » 10 Jan 2019, 11:11
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Apocalypse TV" by Thomas Allbaugh.]
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Would you ever agree to participate in a reality television show? What if the program was promoted as being centered around faith, but there were glaring discrepancies? Apocalypse TV by author Thomas Allbaugh follows college professor Walter Terry's involvement in a reality show about religion that may have a hidden agenda.
After visiting their dying father in hospice care, Walter and his sister, Melissa, are at a nearby diner when they are approached by a talent scout who works for a reality show. Despite assurances that the siblings are naturals, Walter has strong reservations about becoming involved in the show described as "an investigation into American religious ideas." However, his university teaching job is in jeopardy and in a state of vulnerability, Walter agrees to participate in Race to the Apocalypse. He and Melissa join the other cast members in a series of bizarre challenges that don't appear to have much to do with faith at all. From the onset of filming, Walter feels targeted and misunderstood and becomes increasingly suspicious of the show's creator, David Thorndike, and his motives. As production of the show continues, Walter's reputation, marriage, and even his life are threatened by the public's perception of so-called reality.
I have occasionally experienced love-hate relationships with reality shows which is one of the reasons I rarely watch them and prefer to read instead. Though I was immediately intrigued by the premise of the plot, the book encompassed so much more than I expected. The author's evocative writing style challenges readers to consider conflicting perspectives related to social issues and faith. Equally admirable is his ability to convey spiritual principles through fiction revolving around reality television and the potential havoc it creates. The result is a book that leaves an impression that lingers long after the last page is read.
The character development is another strength of the book. Though not particularly likable, Walter is relateable. Deeply flawed and ever the academic and skeptic, he is the type of character readers can picture debating controversial issues. However, I grew impatient with Walter's incessant self-analysis which slowed the pace of the book. I felt the author sufficiently established this particular character trait of the protagonist eliminating the need for frequent reminders. Even so, this was only a minor distraction in an overall enjoyable read. Additionally, the book was professionally edited.
Therefore, without reservation, I rate this thought-provoking read 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to readers who enjoy books about faith and how it relates to social issues. It will also appeal to fans of reality shows. On the other hand, readers who dislike the debate of controversial topics or an introspective writing style may prefer to pass on this one.
******
Apocalypse TV
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Would you ever agree to participate in a reality television show? What if the program was promoted as being centered around faith, but there were glaring discrepancies? Apocalypse TV by author Thomas Allbaugh follows college professor Walter Terry's involvement in a reality show about religion that may have a hidden agenda.
After visiting their dying father in hospice care, Walter and his sister, Melissa, are at a nearby diner when they are approached by a talent scout who works for a reality show. Despite assurances that the siblings are naturals, Walter has strong reservations about becoming involved in the show described as "an investigation into American religious ideas." However, his university teaching job is in jeopardy and in a state of vulnerability, Walter agrees to participate in Race to the Apocalypse. He and Melissa join the other cast members in a series of bizarre challenges that don't appear to have much to do with faith at all. From the onset of filming, Walter feels targeted and misunderstood and becomes increasingly suspicious of the show's creator, David Thorndike, and his motives. As production of the show continues, Walter's reputation, marriage, and even his life are threatened by the public's perception of so-called reality.
I have occasionally experienced love-hate relationships with reality shows which is one of the reasons I rarely watch them and prefer to read instead. Though I was immediately intrigued by the premise of the plot, the book encompassed so much more than I expected. The author's evocative writing style challenges readers to consider conflicting perspectives related to social issues and faith. Equally admirable is his ability to convey spiritual principles through fiction revolving around reality television and the potential havoc it creates. The result is a book that leaves an impression that lingers long after the last page is read.
The character development is another strength of the book. Though not particularly likable, Walter is relateable. Deeply flawed and ever the academic and skeptic, he is the type of character readers can picture debating controversial issues. However, I grew impatient with Walter's incessant self-analysis which slowed the pace of the book. I felt the author sufficiently established this particular character trait of the protagonist eliminating the need for frequent reminders. Even so, this was only a minor distraction in an overall enjoyable read. Additionally, the book was professionally edited.
Therefore, without reservation, I rate this thought-provoking read 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to readers who enjoy books about faith and how it relates to social issues. It will also appeal to fans of reality shows. On the other hand, readers who dislike the debate of controversial topics or an introspective writing style may prefer to pass on this one.
******
Apocalypse TV
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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