A modernized version of 1984, although not quite up to the same literary standards. However, being the plebeian that I am ( ;-) ) I may just prefer this novel.The society described was absolutely ludicrous, although at the same time scarily plausible with the fast growth of blogging sites, twitter, facebook etc. That said, the universe-building was absolutely the strength of this book. The plot was rather thin, and mostly there to support the universe rather than the other way around. I would often gasp incredulously at the oddities described, but figure that the plot itself will quickly be forgotten. Ben Elton does know how to write fascinating books though, so I consider myself well entertained by it.