Ingrid is intelligent and determined. She’s also desperate and running out of time. So, in a last throw of the dice, she executes her plan to hold up a bank. But she’s not interested in money – she wants to change the world.With a rag-tag group of hostages under her control, Ingrid faces her own demons. And as tensions within the bank ratchet up, the enigmatic Moses carves out a psychological … psychological pathway and transforms day-to-day discussions into illuminating life lessons.
This is a psychological thriller like no other. By turns compelling, satirical, and even darkly humorous, it sheds an honest light on what it truly means to be an ‘earthling’.
Positively reviewed by leading psychologists, neuroscientists and experts of the mind, The Quick and Brutal Guide to Earth and Earthlings is a psychological tour-de-force. Ingrid’s gripping story may be fiction, but it reflects a reality you’re already familiar with . . . and it shows you how to navigate your way through it.
Open your eyes, and dare to face the brutal truth…
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I am amazed at this book, I’m not a big fan of psychology per se, but this… this is something else.
The journey we take with a handful of familiar strangers is a thoughtful one, an exiting one, and, sadly, in my opinion, a realistic one, and I will never be the same after it.
I could talk to you about the break of the 4th wall that happen throughout the book, or about the witty last names some of the characters have, I could even talk to you about all the quotes that are going through my mind and not letting me sleep, making me think and question everything, but I’m not, I’m just gonna tell you that today is always more precious than tomorrow, thinking that a tiny spoiler like that won’t really spoil this type of book. At all.
As Stephen King would say, this book really is “unputdownable”. It is an absolute page-turner from the beginning, and does not show any signs of slowing down towards the end. It handled the psychological side to the story extraordinarily well, without a doubt the author is well-read on the subject matter.
Throughout the book, you will experience different emotions with the characters, from likable to irritating, and you truly will doubt who’s side you think you should be on. This book could easily be adapted into a film, and I can only pray that it does!
A friend suggested I check this ought and she could not have been more correct. In her own words she said “You will find that you will not be able to put this book down.” That was an understatement.
I loved the way Moses, Ingrid, and all the other characters, present to you a mirror to look at society’s and my own myriad of different traits and flaws. It’s not easy for an Author to write such a compelling novel while keeping the setting of all the narrative the same.
If you like thrillers, a character-driven story, and a dose of philosophical thought-provoking ideas. Well, then I think you found your book.
I have been all for unique books lately, as the picky reader I am, and I thought I would try this out. It looks like it is listed as a psychological thriller, but I find it more of a twisted inspirational book; a philosophically dark look at the harsh reality we live in. I love how the story starts boom right from the beginning and the way it is so easy to give nicknames and book people into these boxes while still making it clear everyone is in the same boat, stuck out at sea and lost and alone in their own world of problems. If you like the kind of book that makes you feel, think, and on the edge of your seat, this is for you!
This is one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read. The book starts off as a conversation between two strangers outside a bank, and takes an interesting turn to set off the rest of the novel. I loved the main characters right from when they were introduced, especially how unique they are from the usual ones you find in a thriller. A nice touch to the narrative was how Ingrid talks of people with nicknames based on how she sees them.
Note that this isn’t a typical thriller. In spite of being only 200-ish pages long, the book is “dense” and introspective. I found myself going through the pages slower than usual to digest and ponder upon the pieces of the narrative. The book makes you think, and then some more. It goes deep into the manipulative nature of the society, and how easy it is to get brainwashed by its ideologies.
Rating this book five stars for a no-nonsense, well-realized message, a page-turning plot, and original, interesting characters. No matter what part of life you are in, you will definitely find yourself closely relating to some part of the book or the other. A must read!
This book will really get you thinking about society and all the rules and stipulations that come with it. I felt like saying “Fight the power!” while reading it. There were points where I was thrown out of the narrative though, which is why I’m only giving it 3 stars. The use of 2nd person POV was put in randomly throughout the book, and it didn’t really seem to fit the novel. I could’ve done without it. Some of the characters names, like Backbender and Slickhand, were a little too on the nose. Felt like I was getting hit over the head with the point that was being made.
We never feel so alive as we do when death is near, and with that feeling comes a kind of clarity that we otherwise rarely experience. And that kind of clarity can bring with it ripples of change; changes in the way we live, what choices we make and changes to our perspective.
On a bright, ordinary morning, a woman named Ingrid walks into a bank and sparks a chain of events that will bring together a group of people who represent different segments of society. Ingrid is desperate: desperate to be heard and desperate to bring people to their senses. Because time is running out for Ingrid and the urgency that knowledge brings has catapulted her into making frantic decisions. Among Ingrid’s hostages is Moses, an enigmatic man who agreed to enter the bank with her moments after meeting on the street outside.
As the day and night wears on, the tension escalates with the police circling the building, hostages becoming ill and Ingrid herself losing focus. At the center of it all is Moses, keeping everyone engaged in conversations about the motivations of control and pleasure, distorted realities, self-awareness, and becoming our best selves.
In the beginning, the characters are in danger of becoming mere caricatures, but there’s a purpose to it. That’s how they see each other through the distorted lenses of their assumptions. As the situation evolves, the dialogue deepens and they reveal surprising aspects of themselves. Each begins to see there’s more to the others than meets the eye, as with the world around them.
Relentless, sharp, and thought-provoking, this book gave me some things to think about when it comes to life. It’s not an easy read, as it goes into some complex and sometimes upsetting topics, but well worth the effort. Highly recommended for anyone who likes deep thinking and mysteries without being spoon-fed easy answers.
“This could have happened anywhere”, the narrator solemnly declares in the very first line of this book, highlighting the veritable ubiquity of the many universal truths that are discussed in this story. Equal parts psychological thriller and philosophical dissertation, this book is a truly intellectually challenging read, so maintaining an open mindset and dropping all prejudices and pretenses is essential. Each page will shake your perception of the world, humans, and society in a myriad of ways.
The author elegantly presents a unique worldview by utilizing a familiar premise—a group of random strangers forced to interact in unusual ways under great pressure—, yet delving into unexpected territories, with the situation becoming a microcosm of modern culture, and an enthralling social experiment. The book uses a fly-on-the-wall approach that lets us really plunge into the midst of the action, while simultaneously picking the brains of each of the characters. The end is result is an exhilarating ride which touches on several contemporarily relevant topics, including but not limited to the inner workings of corporations and societal institutions, human behavior in relation to control, pleasure and freedom, and the very purpose of life. Each chapter neatly encapsulates discussions on each of these subjects, which facilitates re-reads in the future. Indeed, you will find yourself wanting to go back and refresh the concepts laid in this book time and time again.
A tense and suspenseful plot ties together the philosophical reflections, ceaselessly driving you to turn page after page. The roster of characters is compelling and relatable, with some personalities you will love, and some you will love to hate. The climax of the story provides a hopeful twist on the rather dark, matter-of-fact world painted in this book; and it will keep you lost in thought for days.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re yearning for a new take on the world and its mechanics. It will definitely guide you in understanding the society around you, the motivations that drive us, and most importantly, it will help you comprehend yourself.