“So Yesterday,” by Scott Westerfeld

“So Yesterday,” by Scott Westerfeld, is a fascinating novel that explores the source of and secrets behind the fashion and trend industry. With his powerful satire Westerfeld introduces the book’s point to us:

“We are all around you.

You don‘t think about us because we are invisible. Well, not exactly invisible. A lot of us have hair dyed in four colors, or wear five-inch platform sneakers, or carry enough metal in our skin that it‘s a hassle getting on an airplane. Quite visible, actually, come to think of it.

But we don‘t wear signs saying what we are. After all, if you knew what we were up to, we couldn‘t work our magic. We have to observe carefully and push and prompt you in ways you don‘t notice. Like good teachers, we let you think you‘ve discovered the truth on your own.

And you need us. Someone has to guide you, to mold you, to make sure that today turns into yesterday on schedule. Because frankly, without us to monitor the situation, who knows what would get crammed down your throats?

It‘s not like you can just start making your own decisions, after all.”

With this intriguing beginning, Westerfeld delves into a remarkable novel that has a plot as deeply twisted as its message. From the sources of fads to the people and personalities that define cool, Westerfeld helps the reader step back and look at things from a different vantage point - from the point of view of seventeen-year-old Hunter Braque. Hunter is a Trend Setter, one of those important people who find the coolest new things, and then help get them promoted until everyone thinks their cool. But then things go wrong. It appears that someone is trying to completely change the pyramid of consumerism, because some things are happening that just aren’t cool.

In writing “So Yesterday” Westerfeld has created a work of art that is not only entertaining to read, but also enlightening. This book has forever changed my view of “cool” and my concept of how things become “cool.” From the interesting history about the source of some modern fads, to the interesting ideas of the characters, Westerfeld’s book is a memorable and very worthwhile read.

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Inkweaver Review 2008-03-20T09:50:00-05:00

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