A New You Book

Lately I've been thinking a lot about isolation and at the same time over-communication. While many people spend time on the web in the name of "connection", I'm wondering if we're doing more connecting or more isolating. Ironically (or maybe not so ironically) I purchased and downloaded a new book on my nook -- Bromberg's A New You.

While I don't want to spoil the plot or outcome, I will give you the premise and a few issues the book touches on. An unnamed female artist, age 21, receives a lofty grant to produce art in a room for a year. The strings? She cannot leave the room, and cameras (without sound) will be streaming her live on her website continuously. In the center of the room there's a cube for privacy (with a "soft place", a computer, a sink, a tub, a toilet and many mirrors), and the artist can order whatever her whim decides on the grant people's dollar. The only physical interaction she has is with robots, whom she orders to perform services such as manicures, hair cuts, etc. I don't want to delve too deeply into that here, but there were some great moments during these scenes where the artist is desperate for interaction and the robots ' who are remotely controlled by real humans in a poverty-stricken country ' remain mostly cold and perfunctory.

The book is separated by each month, and the narration is rambling, hypnotic and haunting. I will admit that first I didn't care for the voice, but it grew on me until I began to care for it, and like it. I can also tell now, since I just put my nook to rest, that the prose style is sneaking into my head, which I personally really like after reading a book. Why read a book if you don't want it stay with you?

But let's get back to A New You. The main character takes readers through her vulnerability, her insecurities, her strengths, and her quest to find herself with so many eyes upon her. As the months roll by, the artist begins to treat herself harshly, spending more time in an attempt to achieve "perfection" of the body than creating art on the walls around her. Make-up, plastic surgery and clothing are examined from different perspectives. The artist's emotions are not easily hid, and the simplest gesture can make her extremely giddy or cause intense self-loathing.

And now, since my heart of hearts SO loves discussing books, I will post some discussion questions. Please feel free to respond to them here, even if you have not read the book. Those that have read the book are especially welcomed to discuss!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Do most artists create for themselves or for others?

2. Do you think isolation would make you more or less free to create? Would your answer change if your art and your process were under constant surveillance?

3. Is the instant gratification that comes with the ease of online ordering/home shipping harmful?

4. How will the next generation ' who will grow up in front of computer screens, cell phones, iPads and other rapidly advancing technology ' deal with constant connection? Will the future generation ever be alone, or feel confident and free in their solitude?

5. Do you know someone that wants to listen to music, surf the web, chat with people and play a video game all at once? What is that sort of multitasking accomplishing?

6. Has society's image of beauty affected you or a friend? If so, how?