Six stories with a focus on relationships in the age of technology. Jem Calder is an English writer. Reward System is his first book, a collection of six stories, with some characters re-appearing several times. In the novella length “A Restaurant Somewhere Else” a young woman thinks her career is on the up and up when she takes on a job as a chef, only to find emotional jeopardy in a relationship with a co-worker. “Better Off Alone” sees a twenty-something man unenthusiastically attend a party, ruminating on old friendships. In other stories two people try their luck on a dating app; office politics is laid bare in the age of digital surveillance and finally, two friends communicate via various forms of technology during one of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. One of the main themes of Calder's fiction is communication and relationships in the digital age. Perhaps more so than any other writer, he explores in simple, clear prose the ways technology has affected how people – especially young adults – relate to each other. Despite the ubiquitous nature of technology, and its myriad forms – texts, tweets, emails, instant messages – communication appears fractured and broken, smashed into little bits. Much nuance is lost in translation, as technology demands speed and simplicity. In Jem Calder's world, lives are lived in the shadows, friends and lovers try to negotiate their ambivalent feelings about each other and dubious careers are fashioned out of go-nowhere jobs. This may all sound rather maudlin and self-obsessed, but what elevates the book is its dry humour and sharp observations. There are laugh-out-loud moments and many stories exhibit a fascinating understanding of information technology, how it works and impacts society. A seductive collection that explores the way we live now. Reward System, by Jem Calder. Published by Faber. $29.99 Review by Chris Saliba Comments are closed.
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