Title: Office Preserves (Preserve Series Book 1)
Author: Galen Surlak-Ramsey
Genre: Science Fiction, Humorous Fiction
Book Blurb:
IN HR, NO ONE CARES IF YOU SCREAM. Some people fight for a new job. On his first day, Toby can’t wait to lose his. Without a doubt, Preser Tech is the most bizarre office he’s ever been in. The employees wear tattered clothes. Receptionists answer pretend phones, and the CEO wants everyone working for the rest of their lives. Literally. When Toby tries to leave and security threatens his life, he realizes he’s in trouble. Sadly, only a deranged secretary with a fetish for poisoning coworkers is willing to help. Now Toby must pry her secrets while avoiding being her next victim if he’s going to get home alive. What happens as the day wears on is hilariously disturbing and completely out of this world.
My Review:
Loosely put together like an episode of Twilight Zone, this book tells the cautionary tale of how all consuming the white-collar world can be for a worker with no boundaries. The story here conveys a mystery hidden inside an enigma. Not only is Toby unsure what is happening and who he can trust, but the reader is also at a loss.
The central point of this tome, to this reader, is a skewering of the Corporate life that exists in the 21st century. People have become so imbued with their job, they work day, night, weekends...no breaks. People forego legally provided vacation time to keep working. Those who live in the northeast and have cold weather can live in an underground world five months of the year, shopping, living, working and never have to step outside.
The world of Preser Tech isn't so fanciful and terrifying as it is a stark warning sign. People who take on work as their life may not be at risk of being sacrificed by aliens. Perhaps worse still, they choose to give up their outside life of family and relaxation to become solely focused on work.
This book was heading towards a dystopian 5 star but for the ending. Without either a little more detail or clarity, the reader is left wondering what the point was for their time spent reading this book. The deeper message may be lost on most readers. The lack of a substantive conclusion will hit most.
Fans of the sitcom The Office will love this book.
My Rating: 4 stars
Buy it Now:
Free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/books/office-preserves-preserve-series-book-1-by-galen-surlak-ramsey
Author Biography:
A few moons ago, I was born in Oregon, but soon ended up in Florida and have lived there ever since. I’ve done a lot of things over the years, played piano (since 1st grade), joined the Marine Corps, jumped out of a few airplanes and taught others how to do the same. I’ve always been an avid gamer as well, and I enjoy taking pictures of the cosmos with my telescopes. I’m currently living somewhere in Southwest Florida where I wrangle four children along with the Mrs, and manage to pay the bills as a chaplain for a local hospice.
Social Media Links:
Website https://galensurlak.com/about/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gsurlak/
Twitter https://twitter.com/GSurlak
Reviewed by: Mr. N