It is hard not to compare new science fiction plots to all that have gone before. On Earth as It Is on Television is much more about the characters’ individual reactions to the first alien arrival than humanity’s overall response to it. It reminded me of the beginning of Independence Day much more than War of the Worlds.
After a great opening scene, the book spends the majority of its time as a character study of four humans and a cat. That sounds boring—but it really wasn’t. I am surprised how much I enjoyed this thought-provoking new approach to a first contact story.
If you are looking for something different, but excellent in a literary fiction way (think Murakami), don’t miss On Earth as It Is on Television. 5 stars and a favorite!
Thanks to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.