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13th out of 377 books
—
376 voters
The Plagiarist
by
Hugh Howey (Goodreads Author)
Adam Griffey is living two lives. By day, he teaches literature. At night, he steals it. Adam is a plagiarist, an expert reader with an eye for great works. He prowls simulated worlds perusing virtual texts, looking for the next big thing. And when he finds it, he memorizes it page by page, line by line, word for word. And then he brings it back to his world.
But what happ...more
But what happ...more
ebook, 58 pages
Published
March 15th 2011
by Broad Reach Publishing
(first published February 28th 2011)
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"Adam wondered if it counted as a lie if the untruth was as boring as reality."
It's easy to see the appeal of virtual reality. The chance to break from the monotony of real life, to be someone different, someone better, to experience something new and exciting and safe (since you can always log off when things are not to your liking). It can bring excitement and fulfillment, fill in the gaps and the void in your own life. And it can be done easily, without hard work, without sacrifice - new poss...more
It's easy to see the appeal of virtual reality. The chance to break from the monotony of real life, to be someone different, someone better, to experience something new and exciting and safe (since you can always log off when things are not to your liking). It can bring excitement and fulfillment, fill in the gaps and the void in your own life. And it can be done easily, without hard work, without sacrifice - new poss...more
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I'm really impressed with this story both for its depth of ideas and philosophy, but also because of how much I cared for the main character. The emotional attachment to him finding happiness kept me reading. I love reading stories that give me joy to share in their world, even if it is bleak. This was that kind of story.
******** Spoiler Alert ***********
My only problem with this story was that I guessed the ending too far prior to the end. I thought what if he was also in a simulated world whe...more
******** Spoiler Alert ***********
My only problem with this story was that I guessed the ending too far prior to the end. I thought what if he was also in a simulated world whe...more
I had a hard time deciding whether to peg it at 4 or 5 stars. I usually reserve 5 stars for books that completely blew me away and 4 stars for excellent books that I really enjoyed, but they don't make my top of the list as favourite books of all time. To receive 5 stars from me you have to do something extraordinarily exceptional that I have not seen before / did not expect. With that point aside, let's get to the review!
I enjoyed this novella. Because of the length of the work description of t...more
I enjoyed this novella. Because of the length of the work description of t...more
Well, I tried this on for size after hearing about the Wool series (which I plan on reading eventually). I just wanted to get a taste of Hugh Howey (that sounds wrong and I'm sorry).
This Adam Griffey dude is not a plagiarist in the way you would think. He doesn't just steal people's work and pass it off as his own. Adam goes into virtual worlds, memorizes stuff he thinks is awesome, then publishes it under his own name.
BUT WAIT.
He does not claim to be the author. No no no. He just claims to h...more
This Adam Griffey dude is not a plagiarist in the way you would think. He doesn't just steal people's work and pass it off as his own. Adam goes into virtual worlds, memorizes stuff he thinks is awesome, then publishes it under his own name.
BUT WAIT.
He does not claim to be the author. No no no. He just claims to h...more
I am starting this short story out at 3.5 stars, but it will probably be one of those books that plays on my mind enough that it will end up warranting 4 stars.
I am not really sure what I think about Hugh Howey. I loved his WOOL series, but I am confused by the length of his books, they range from a short-story to a novella in length. I am not used to paying money for a single short-story, though I am sure I will eventually. I should applaud him as I also always dislike short-stories. I find the...more
I am not really sure what I think about Hugh Howey. I loved his WOOL series, but I am confused by the length of his books, they range from a short-story to a novella in length. I am not used to paying money for a single short-story, though I am sure I will eventually. I should applaud him as I also always dislike short-stories. I find the...more
tl;dr: Buy it right now, make yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy. After reading this novella, I immediately bought all 5 books of Hugh's "Wool" series.
Full Review:
I really struggled with rating this book… Usually I rate books relative to other books in their genre but The Plagiarist came tantalizingly close to rising above the 'enjoyable quick-read sci-fi' category into the 'great, re-readable sci-fi' category. As an enjoyable story, it rates 5/5; as a classic, it rates a strong 3 or a weak 4.
The...more
Full Review:
I really struggled with rating this book… Usually I rate books relative to other books in their genre but The Plagiarist came tantalizingly close to rising above the 'enjoyable quick-read sci-fi' category into the 'great, re-readable sci-fi' category. As an enjoyable story, it rates 5/5; as a classic, it rates a strong 3 or a weak 4.
The...more
I really enjoyed reading The Plagiarist. Hugh Howey has a wonderful way with words (and haiku!). I'm glad I found a modern SF author whose books I really look forward to reading.
The biggest appeal of Hugh Howey's books, for me, is that the story is so plausible. SF is generally incredible (I guess the point is that it is meant to be), but Hugh's way makes it so that one realizes after reading half-way through his books that a feeling of "meh-I-gotta-accept-the-crazy-stuff-'coz-that's-what-I've-c...more
The biggest appeal of Hugh Howey's books, for me, is that the story is so plausible. SF is generally incredible (I guess the point is that it is meant to be), but Hugh's way makes it so that one realizes after reading half-way through his books that a feeling of "meh-I-gotta-accept-the-crazy-stuff-'coz-that's-what-I've-c...more
Hugh Howey is doing well for himself. Between his immensely popular Wool series and small nuggets of gold like The Plagiarist, avid readers looking for the next big writer but understandably wary of self-published hacks can rest easy; Hugh Howey knows what the fuck he's doing.
The Plagiarist is situated in that tricky genre valley between speculative fiction and mainstream fiction - the Hollywood-friendly kind that usually finds its way made into a successful film adaptation. At 58 pages, it's c...more
The Plagiarist is situated in that tricky genre valley between speculative fiction and mainstream fiction - the Hollywood-friendly kind that usually finds its way made into a successful film adaptation. At 58 pages, it's c...more
I give this short story five stars for a few reasons. First and most importantly, the concept. The idea here is fantastic and new to me. As a participant in a virtual world, I can love to find books that take on that culture, and Hugh took it to a whole mother level in just 57 pages. The next reason is because by page 35 or so, I started to question why he was being so descriptive, especially toward the end. Then, I realized why and that it was not only necessary, but a masterful storytelling ta...more
Moments spill through hands
idling away at nothing
To puddle in years
This story takes an interesting look at what can happen in a world where our simulations have gotten so good that we no longer produce our own art or research. It is more cost effective to let the sims do the work and then plagiarize them. This is what research has become, all research, not just in the arts, but also in the sciences.
What happens, though, when the simulation becomes so real that you begin having love relationships...more
idling away at nothing
To puddle in years
This story takes an interesting look at what can happen in a world where our simulations have gotten so good that we no longer produce our own art or research. It is more cost effective to let the sims do the work and then plagiarize them. This is what research has become, all research, not just in the arts, but also in the sciences.
What happens, though, when the simulation becomes so real that you begin having love relationships...more
I bought this story because I loved his Wool Omnibus Edition. I can tell you, honestly, that I would have happily read 1000 more pages of this story, but Hugh Howey is one of the new masters of the Short. You can read this during your lunch, or a train commute, or a short layover... and I do mean short. I was captured instantly, the setting is so absolutely feasible that there was no willing suspension of disbelief time needed to settle in... and the ending?? I'll just say: Well played, Mr. Howe...more
I really enjoyed this book.I stumbled upon it by accident while looking for a book to download on my kindle, and am really glad I gave it a try. This story , while very short,was very unique, science fiction with a simulated ;) twist.I really engaged with the main character, and couldn't help feeling this was a glimpse into the future ...It leaves you pondering...are we really here at all ??..where IS here?
I recommend it to anyone who likes films like Gattaca, Avatar and simulated games...
I recommend it to anyone who likes films like Gattaca, Avatar and simulated games...
This was a different kind of book for me, yet interesting at the same time. I can safely say that if this stuff isn't already happening in real life, it will be soon. I read some reviews where the reader said that they had seen the ending coming, I did not, especially after what happened just prior to the end... also probably because I'm naive to this subject. I thought that it was well written yet I felt it was a bit cut-off because it was short book and seemed to end abruptly.
After the first few pages, I was sure that I wouldn't enjoy this. It's like a love letter to geeks. Or nerds. Or whatever they call themselves these days. I hate Star Wars, which automatically eliminates me from this category.
But Hugh Howey's characters are so well-drawn and relatable, his settings so immersive, that it's almost impossible to not enjoy this a lot. And while I found The Big Twist to be a bit predictable, like with Wool it didn't make getting there any less enjoyable.
But Hugh Howey's characters are so well-drawn and relatable, his settings so immersive, that it's almost impossible to not enjoy this a lot. And while I found The Big Twist to be a bit predictable, like with Wool it didn't make getting there any less enjoyable.
I got hooked with Wool. And I have really enjoyed picking up the other works of Hugh Howey. They are typically the right length for one on a busy schedule. I have been impressed on how well Mr. Howey's writing flows to the reader. "The Plagiarist" is no exception. It is another "hard to put down" novelette. Love the twist to what might or might not be reality for one character. But does it stop there? Like a shell within a shell, does reality start at the outermost, or is a sim, as well? Read th...more
Adam is a plagiarist. He steals works of literature from virtual people in virtual worlds. Computer generated worlds exist and function all on their own. People can log in and interact with all of these other worlds, and do. For research, fun,work. But what happens when you fall in love with this virtual world? Is it as real as real life? Are you cheating yourself of real interactions? or is this just the way of the future?
From the author of the Wool series.
From the author of the Wool series.
I'm seriously considering stalking Hugh Howey. When I find him it will be old school judo chop time.
Last night I read "The Plagiarist", by Hugh Howey, free on Kindle.
In my opinion this is at the very least as good as, if not more compelling, than Wool.
I thought I was a woolite, now I'm not wondering if I shouldn't be a server farm surfer.
Seriously Hugh, your killing me man.
Sincerely
Niels Pedersen
That guy outside your window
Last night I read "The Plagiarist", by Hugh Howey, free on Kindle.
In my opinion this is at the very least as good as, if not more compelling, than Wool.
I thought I was a woolite, now I'm not wondering if I shouldn't be a server farm surfer.
Seriously Hugh, your killing me man.
Sincerely
Niels Pedersen
That guy outside your window
I guess I'd have liked a longer story. As I was reading The Plagiarist I started thinking of directions the story could go in and topics the characters could deal with but I guess some of that could come in a sequel. I can see this kind of thing happening eventually. We're approaching a time when VR will be possible on the scale described here and in The Thirteenth Floor, Virtuosity and many other stories and films.
I enjoyed it.
The only way to describe Mr. Howey's writing style is like this:
You start off looking at nothing but a blade of grass...then you back out and you see a patch of grass...then a lawn...then the whole lawn and edge...then you see the whole lawn edge, sidewalk and house..
The story off with small bits that just get added on and get bigger and bigger...I love that!
The only way to describe Mr. Howey's writing style is like this:
You start off looking at nothing but a blade of grass...then you back out and you see a patch of grass...then a lawn...then the whole lawn and edge...then you see the whole lawn edge, sidewalk and house..
The story off with small bits that just get added on and get bigger and bigger...I love that!
This can hardly be called a "Book" - more a novella . It is 57 pages long
It is a story about computer simulations and how one man becomes so obsessed with the simulations that they become more real than... than reality.
In these simulations he stole a story from a simulation ... thus "the plagiarist"
Just a quick intro - since the story is short to say more would be to plagiarize :)
It is a story about computer simulations and how one man becomes so obsessed with the simulations that they become more real than... than reality.
In these simulations he stole a story from a simulation ... thus "the plagiarist"
Just a quick intro - since the story is short to say more would be to plagiarize :)
Versione ebook
Racconto lungo o romanzo molto breve; l'autore costruisce un gioco di scatole cinesi che si può immaginare come andrà a finire.
Il romanzo/racconto ha una costruzione abbastanza semplice ma non per questo banale: viene da farsi una riflessione sulla nostra (del mondo moderno) dipendenza dal mondo virtuale nelle sue diverse forme.
E' anche scritto bene: scorrevole, comprensibile e l'incipit del capitolo dà un tocco in più.
Racconto lungo o romanzo molto breve; l'autore costruisce un gioco di scatole cinesi che si può immaginare come andrà a finire.
Il romanzo/racconto ha una costruzione abbastanza semplice ma non per questo banale: viene da farsi una riflessione sulla nostra (del mondo moderno) dipendenza dal mondo virtuale nelle sue diverse forme.
E' anche scritto bene: scorrevole, comprensibile e l'incipit del capitolo dà un tocco in più.
Adam is a plagiarist, only instead of stealing people’s work and claiming that it is his own, he goes into virtual worlds, memorises stuff and then publishes it under his own name. And so, this novella explores an Inception-like concept in terms of what might or might not be reality for a character. An interesting take on the old ‘what is reality’ thematic contemplation.
I have enjoyed all of the stories I've read by Hugh Howey and "The Plagiarist" is no different. This story is a very quick read and an interesting world. Even though I knew where this story was going, I still enjoyed reading how it got there. I believe this story is one that most people can enjoy unless they can't get passed the minor scifi element.
Well, more like 3 1/2 stars for me. I thought that The Plagiarist was definitely an interesting concept and what's really bad is that I can see people now a days more interested in the virtual world then the real world. But what's real to some, isn't always real to others ... this book definitely leaves you wondering what's real.
He threw me for a loop with this one. I can't believe I didn't see that coming! With all the buzz around programs like Second Life and such, the concept of an alternate reality is probably pretty realistic in many computer people's real world at a keyboard.
This story leads you to circular thinking, if this could happen then ______ could happen and lead to _______, etc. As short as it was, this was a captivating story with just as much detail about the characters as needed.
Keep entertaining us,...more
This story leads you to circular thinking, if this could happen then ______ could happen and lead to _______, etc. As short as it was, this was a captivating story with just as much detail about the characters as needed.
Keep entertaining us,...more
Interesting set up, but I knew exactly where it was going. So I was kind of disappointed when it really did go there. But it is a good story, the main character is sufficiently repulsive and realistic for you to root for SOMETHING to happen to get his ass out of his rut.
Hugh has a knack for character development, and this is the most important skill a fiction writer can have -- if you don't give a damn about the characters, if they don't seem like real people you could know, people you care abou...more
Hugh has a knack for character development, and this is the most important skill a fiction writer can have -- if you don't give a damn about the characters, if they don't seem like real people you could know, people you care abou...more
I read this story all in one go. There was a moment when I was going to set it aside. I had figured out where the plot was headed and my attention started to wane. Then I got interested in how the story was going to progress.
My main reason for a 4-star rating instead of 5 is that I was recently looking through a book about haiku. I never really understood the depths of that particular variety of poetry until examining the origins. So I really had to work to keep from comparing the poetry in the...more
My main reason for a 4-star rating instead of 5 is that I was recently looking through a book about haiku. I never really understood the depths of that particular variety of poetry until examining the origins. So I really had to work to keep from comparing the poetry in the...more
This is such a clever easy read. What I like about Hugh Howey, is that his books are unforgetable. I can pick them up at anytime and remember where I have left off, even if it is weeks later. I can't always do that with other books. This story does not disappoint.
Apr 29, 2012
Outerspace Andrea
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
horror-thrillers,
the-cream-of-the-crop
This novelette was a total win for me; Howey repeatedly proves he has a gift for writing brilliant completely developed short stories. It was another one of those reads where you simply can’t put it down; you get completely sucked into Adam Griffey’s virtual world. I loved the idea of this story, and was impressed by the quality of character development packed into a story of this length. If I had any complaint it would have be that I wish this story was longer!! It provides so many different ve...more
This is the second thing that I've read by Hugh Howey. (I read all of his Wool books first.) In comparison this seems like a much shorter story, but I really liked it, both in premise and execution.
I will definitely continue to read more of his work.
I will definitely continue to read more of his work.
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I'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified...more
More about Hugh Howey...
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified...more
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“....faking his real life so he can live his fake one.”
—
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