Hank Green — co-creator of Crash Course, Vlogborhters, and SciShow, plus brother to John Green — has written a funny and poignant story about two 20-somethings who stumble into fame.
April May is coming home from work, late one night, and stumbles across a giant sculpture. It’s New York. Things like that happen. But this installation captivates her. It’s a 10-foot-tall Transformer style figure in a suit of armour. April convinces her friend Andy to meet her at the sculpture with his video camera, and they film April introducing “Carl” and upload it to video.
April has a rude awakening the next day when she learns that “Carls” have appeared around the world and every news media wants to interview her and Andy. The news is spreading so quickly that it’s tricky to deal with their new celebrity. But, Andy’s dad is a lawyer and since the news channels have used their video without permission, he is getting them, not only coverage, but cash. A lot of cash.
The novel is about the pressure April and Andy (although mostly April) have to deal with, the way it changes how they interact with other friends, and how they move through the world and make money. It’s a great social commentary on the vilification and adoration that influencers face.
Friendships are formed and lost. Great puzzles are solved. Good intentions devolve. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is a great novel and a cautionary tale.