The Stranger Game By Peter Gadol (2019)

Are you ready to play? – I sure was!

It is a psychological thriller with a plot twist. Its intense moments makes it a captivating read.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter Gadol is an American author of seven novels: Coyote (1991), The mystery roast (1993), Closer to the Sun (1996), The long rain (1997), Light at dusk (2000), Silver Lake (2009), and most recently The Stranger Game (2018).

Twitter: @PeterGadol

Website: https://www.petergadol.com/

The Stranger Game: https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/books/peter-gadol/stranger-game/GOR010098272?keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzZj2BRDVARIsABs3l9LeX7HlAzLRKBXuOvtUMSzgLDVvu5LdtzfKF1qIbumJq3pgxFM6vrQaAgx4EALw_wcB

SYNOPSIS

'Rebecca's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Ezra, has gone missing, but when she notifies the police, they seem surprisingly unconcerned. They suspect he has been playing the "stranger game", a viral hit in which players start following others in real like, as they might otherwise do on social media. As the game spreads, however, the rules begin to change, play grows more intense, and disappearances are reported across the country. A thought-provoking, a haunting novel, The Stranger Game unearths the connections, both imagined the real, that we build with the people around us in the physical and digital world, and where the boundaries blur between them' (Gadol, 2020). 

 

REVIEW 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Stranger Game. The concept of the ‘game’ was original, yet I found myself questioning whether or not I have done this. It encourages the reader to think about their actions through the story of others. It was an excellent way to demonstrate empathy and compassion by acknowledging others. It was fascinating, primarily because the ‘game’ was so relevant to modern-day that I felt I was playing the game myself. I think what is important though is that, although this is a fiction book, there is the possibility for this to happen in reality. And, then what would we do?

It was a straightforward read. However, I struggled to keep up with the flashbacks and fast forwards. I was able to pinpoint what was going on, but it was a little confusing at times. I thought the detail was just perfect in each chapter. It did not give too much away, which enabled me to think about what I thought the ending was going to be and how the story would play out. I am intrigued to see how if this gets developed on because it is an exciting concept. Not only in the real world, but how this would be played in the online world; or is already happening?

After reading this book, I found myself thinking whether or not this was happening to me. Were people interested in what I was doing? Was anyone following me? Just the other day, I was having lunch outside sitting on my bench, and my friend says, “Do you just think to yourself; I wonder what that person has done today”? Without mentioning what I had read, I replied “I am not sure, probably just on their work break”, and that was that. I was left thinking, is this already happening? Is The Stranger Game already a ‘game’ without us realising? What does this tell us about individuals in society today? Has Peter Gadol just revealed the thoughts of many individuals?

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References:

Gadol, P. (2020) The Stranger Game. Available at: https://www.petergadol.com/ [Accessed 21 May 2020].