What a thing of wonder a mobile phone is. Six ounces of metal, glass and plastic, fashioned into a sleek, shiny, precious object. At once, a gateway to other worlds - and a treacherous weapon in the hands of the unwary, the unwitting, the inept. The Cleverley family live a gilded life, little realising how precarious their privilege is, just one tweet away from disaster. George, the patriarch, is a stalwart of television interviewing, a 'national treasure' (his words), his wife Beverley, a celebrated novelist (although not as celebrated as she would like), and their children, Nelson, Elizabeth, Achilles, various degrees of catastrophe waiting to happen. Together they will go on a journey of discovery through the Hogarthian jungle of the modern living where past presumptions count for nothing and carefully curated reputations can be destroyed in an instant. Along the way they will learn how volatile, how outraged, how unforgiving the world can be when you step from the proscribed path. Powered by John Boyne's characteristic humour and razor-sharp observation, The Echo Chamber is a satiric helter skelter, a dizzying downward spiral of action and consequence, poised somewhere between farce, absurdity and oblivion. To err is maybe to be human but to really foul things up you only need a phone.
John Boyne
John Boyne is an Irish author known for his powerful storytelling and compelling characters. His most notable works include "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas," a poignant novel set during the Holocaust, and "The Heart's Invisible Furies," a sweeping epic following the life of an Irish gay man.
Boyne's writing style is characterized by its emotional depth, historical accuracy, and exploration of complex moral themes. He has made significant contributions to literature by shedding light on important historical events and societal issues, while also creating unforgettable characters that resonate with readers.
"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" is perhaps Boyne's most famous work, captivating readers with its heartbreaking tale of friendship across enemy lines. This novel has had a profound impact on the literary genre of historical fiction, cementing Boyne's reputation as a master storyteller.
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