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Michael Mohr's avatar

Then again you could have a plot where some Gen Z kids lose their phones/have them taken away or stolen and then they have to figure things out old school style 😎

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Depending on the writer, that's either a comedy or horror novel. Thank you for the comment, Michael.

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Clara Venegas's avatar

You know, I think it could be a great horror comedy, what better than to mix the two genres?

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Has there been a great novel in which a mobile phone played a significant role?

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Although I can't immediately think of any novels where a mobile phone is pivotal to the plot—in the way that so many unread letters were pivotal in previous centuries—I can think of examples of a phone influencing the story. Sally Rooney's novels come to mind, as her characters are always either ignoring or responding to text messages. Elena Ferrante's novel The Lost Daughter also has a scene where a mother, slightly estranged from her children, has a brief phone conversation while she takes a holiday alone. Without the phone call, the same scene probably would have been a flashback, told as a memory. It is an interesting question, and I think that the answer will change over the next few years. Thank you, Sherman.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Young Adult novels are stuffed full of mobile phones! That makes sense.

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David Roberts's avatar

A phone without power is a key motif in Emma Cline's "The Guest," which I thought was very good.

Great post, by the way!

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Thank you for adding that novel and for the kind words, David.

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sierra echo charlie's avatar

I would suggest to all the able-bodied writers in the room to consider the hijinks and misadventures possible through the simple use of autocorrect. Sometimes rereading texts. I find abominable word replacement even going from a conciliatory tone to harshly aggressive. And some are quite weird or just naughty until all the wrong people. However however, to Charles point, there is still the problem of a quick reconnection and sorting things out.

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Eugine Nier's avatar

> To the detriment of all these unfortunate characters, however, coincidence and chance and lost opportunity are often the hinge on which drama swings.

And yet, modern technology has not eliminated relationship drama.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Certainly not. Thank you for the comment, Eugine.

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Edward Rooster's avatar

This was a good reminder, and I think that hits the nail on dystopian fiction, the story is the story when something went wrong. I am also reminded of recent films including "Interstellar" where great distance, danger, and time-dilation itself drives the conflict in the story.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Thank you for the comment, Edward.

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Clara Venegas's avatar

You always pick such specific topics to write about, I really enjoy reading you!

Although I would argue Airplane! is an awesome movie about making a flight 😄

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Any reference to Airplane! works for me. It belongs on every list. And thank you very much for the kind words, Clara. I really appreciate it.

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