The Epiphany Machine

Resumen del libro

Its a razor-sharp alternate history that imagines the United States ' mainly New York ' shaped by a mysterious piece of technology. This odd sewing machine-like device tattoos a short, pithy truth on each persons arm. These tattoos have inspired history-changing events, including John Lennons songs and his assassination. The novel includes excerpts from other books and interviews with those tattooed or affected by the machine. But its mainly the memoir of Venter Lowood, whose entire life has been defined by the Epiphany Machine. His parents were once in the inner circle of a cult, but his mother abandoned him due to a revelation from her tattoo. Venter spends the novel trying to find meaning in his life, all in defiance of the phrase emblazoned on his forearm: 'DEPENDENT ON THE OPINION OF OTHERS.' Venters circular arguments about himself and society are funny even when theyre depressing. Gerrards novel emphasizes just how desperately people want confirmation of their place in the world.