The Overton Window

The Overton Window
By Glenn Beck, et al
Threshold Edition/Mercury Radio Arts, 2010. 321 p. Fiction

Public Relations is all about who can tell the most convincing lies. Thankfully, Noah Gardner and his father are some of the best. They’ve helped spin the glamour of bottled water (while disguising its idiocy) and the American people have lapped it up like kittens. Then steps in a powerful group that wants the firm to spin a story like no other. With a current-day America heading toward financial and political disaster, this group wants to “transform” the country into a socialized, police state. Except the firm hadn’t reckoned on Molly Ross and her organization, who’ve set out to save the country before disaster (and a nuclear weapon) strikes. And when Noah comes under Molly’s charming spell it seems he’s headed towards a conflict of interests, so whether his father or his new lady love will win his loyalty is yet to be decided.

It’s not necessarily fiction, but it’s not nonfiction either. At least that’s Beck’s perspective. He asserts that his venture into novel writing is a blend of both fact and fiction and should appropriately fall into a new genre entitled, (drum roll please), “faction”. The Overton Window is ripe with bombastic overtones, conspiracy laden plots, patriotic speeches and laudable references to the US Constitution—much like Beck himself. Granted, there are some incredibly cringe-worthy lines, but it has a certain magnetism as well. Whether all that can be attributed to Beck or his 3 co-authors is debatable. In the end, it’s a credible political thriller—not great literature, but definitely entertaining, from many points of view. And with an ending that is less about wrapping things up and more about opening a window for a sequel, Beck fans are sure to be pleased.

DAP