Book Review: FLICKER by Theodore Roszak

The medium is the dark message

Book Review: FLICKER (1991) by Theodore Roszak

"Soon to be a major motion picture," reads the cover blurb on my 2005 edition. Well, perhaps that is a clever in-joke.

FLICKER is narrated as the secret confessions of a movie fanatic. His obsession with the medium of cinema leads him on a journey through the various subcultures of moviemaking. And gradually he uncovers a vast, subtle conspiracy to undo humanity … through movies.

The novel does not seem to be a spoof of conspiracy thrillers, or an ironic comment on them (though it can certainly be read that way). It is more like a science fiction story. FLICKER uses an imaginary conspiracy to ask certain questions about our relationship with art and media technology.

If you have seen David Cronenberg’s movie VIDEODROME, then you can appreciate how FLICKER approaches the same territory — how media affect us — with a similar mood of growing paranoia.

FLICKER is a good, unusual thriller if you don't take it seriously... and a disturbing philosophical novel if you do. Recommended.