February 16, 2009

User I D

Coursing with mordant wit and fierce intelligence, User ID is an elegant, utterly absorbing examination of the mutual obsession between an identity thief and her mark. Charlene Cummins, who sells cosmetics at an LA drugstore, is desperate for the better life she knows is out there for the taking. Vera de Sica, underachieving resident of Manhattan and (sort of) professor of English, is the woman whose identity she purloins. Nothing has been going right for Vera since she arrived in Los Angeles to deliver a speech at a conference: she has felt unappreciated (her presentation was sparsely attended), slightly dazed (there’s too much light in the City of Angels), and disoriented (the freeways make her nervous). Now all she needs to do is return her rental car before heading back to New York. But when a heavily sweating man in a short-sleeved white shirt tells her to leave the car–and, as it happens, her personal effects–under a sign that reads “Guest Parking,” Vera’s true nightmare begins.
Based on more than three years of research into the fastest-growing white-collar crime in America, User ID is the incredibly compelling story of what happens when Vera’s identity goes AWOL, co-opted by Charlene, the ambivalent girlfriend of the perspiring scam artist.
In this deft and mesmerizing character study of two women, who, on the face of it, could not lead more disparate lives (and yet share the same dissatisfaction with their lot), Jenefer Shute brilliantly explores the psychology of both victim and victimizer, as each woman develops an intense fantasy relationship with her other, imagined self. In alternating chapters that read like a thriller, Shute draws the reader into the bizarre and unsettling world where identities are multiple and mutable, and, ultimately, for sale. Unexpected, smart, and troubling, User ID is both a terrific read and a trenchant look at the philosophical implications of our networked world.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Riverting and Amusing — What Else Can You Ask For?
I disagree with many of the negative reviews of this book, possibly because I am a former New Yorker and find that Shute’s characterization of the underpaid, overextended, unappreciated single New York woman is dead-on. I find, too, that Charlotte is a well-wrought and sympathetic character. I enjoyed getting to know these two women. The book is quickly-paced, written in short and snappy chapters that kept me turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it for plane rides or a day at the beach.

1 Star because I can’t give it 1/2 star (hey have to give author credit for writing)
I felt so bad about not liking this book when i began it that i felt compeled to finish it hoping for some grand ending. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. need i say more? Charlene was a believable character, in a stereo typical white trash sort of way. Vera reminded me of a boring timid little blah mouse, and her boyfriend had the personality of a toothbrush. (no wonder they were together) I love a good mystery, but there is nothing mysterious about the rating this book is getting! Watch a good Lifetime Movie instead

1 Star Don’t be a victim
This is the story of a woman who is supposed to be smart and capable (she is neither) who is the victim of a criminal who with whom we are supposed to sympathize (I didn’t.)

We have all been warned to shred documents with personal information to avoid losing your identity. If you have a paper shredder, you may want to put this book through it to avoid losing the time it takes to read this book.

3 Stars An Entertaining Fast Read…
I almost didn’t buy this book because the reviews were less than sterling. But, I know the kind of book I typically enjoy so I changed my mind and stuck it in my cart. Indeed, I ended up finishing this book in about a week (which is pretty fast for me because I have so little time to read). Basically, the book held my interest and moved along…so I was able to stick with it and complete it.

This is a story of identity theft, told in two different “voices” (in alternating chapters). One voice is that of the victim, the other voice is of the perpetrator. Two different women, different lives, different coasts, yet tied together because one stole the identity of the other. It is, of course, a cautionary tale for our times.

As I said, the story moves along. The story is fairly believable and I think we get a sense of who these characters are, and how they come to be in this position. I think the victim character is a little more believable but I suppose that is beside the point. The story is a bit predictable, yet has a few twists, especially at the end. The characters are believable enough but not very sympathetic.

I think the latter point (the fact that the characters are not very sympathetic and indeed fairly drab) are what makes me rate the book three stars instead of four. The story moves along but I didn’t care about the characters very much. And I thought the story was rather thin on details. Specifically, some more background on the characters (prior history of their lives, current details on their lives, more friends, etc.) would have made the story a little more realistic and interesting.

However, because the story did hold my interest, I would recommend the book to those looking for an entertaining fast read, particularly if they are interested in the topic of identity theft.

2 Stars Pretty Bad
I think the book had a pretty good subject for a story but the writing isn’t interesting at all. The writing is just boring and bland. It’s not really much of a story. The book offers some identity theft ideas on creating fake id’s, obtaining credit information, and using it. The author tells the story without moral conscience. At no time does the main character ever seems to feel any guilt about stealing. There’s no sympathy showed for the identity theft victim. Also, the book never shows the possible punishment for identity theft. In alot of ways it’s very morally irresponsible.

I borrowed this book for free from the library. I wouldn’t pay fot it.

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