I just finished The Virgin by Erik Barmack. Since I usually post on good books I've read (and in this case the author emailed me specifically and asked that I share my thoughts, apparently his father is a Say Anything reader) I thought I'd share this with you.

This book is about reality television. Specifically it is about a fictional reality television show called "The Virgin." The gist of the show is that a group of bachelors will compete for the right to seduce the star of the show: a beautiful, twenty-six-year-old virgin. Given the realities of some of the actual reality shows that have made it to our televisions screens of late this one fits right in for its crassness and rather tenuous connection to the "reality" from which the genre takes its name.

In the beginning the book introduces us to one Joseph Braun. He's an unemployed twenty-something with an irritating family who can't quite seem to find his niche in life. Along with his friend Allison, Joseph creates a new persona for himself (Jeb Brown, complete with new family and background) and applies to appear on "The Virgin." He is accepted and we are soon introduced to his fellow cast members who encapsulate all of the reality TV stereotypes we've come to know and love: The fun-loving fat guy, the rude and arrogant hipster, the meathead jock, the country bumpkin, the earnest true-believer and the womanizer. Among others.

Then the story gets interesting. We're taken behind the scenes of reality television and are confronted with the idea (though its not much of a surprise to most of us) that there isn't all that much "reality" in reality television. The confrontations and interactions between the cast and the Virgin are all highly scripted and even the decisions on which bachelors to keep and which to send away are heavily influenced by the producers.

The story proceeds through the usual rounds of melodrama that have become standard fare for reality television until one bachelor wins and gets to sleep with the Virgin. Except that there is a twist a la Joe Millionaire: This virgin isn't entirely what she seems.

I'll not let you on the big secret here, better you should read the book for that, but I will tell you that its something of a shock. Or, it was for me at least.

Mr. Barnack's writing style is reminiscent, to me at least, of Chuck Palahniuk, which probably isn't all that surprising seeing as how Barnack hails from Palahniuk's home state of Oregon. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that Barnack was influenced by Palahniuk's works. The main character's narration specifically reminded me of Palahniuk as well as the way the dialog flowed. But Barnack is no Palahniuk clone. His writing style is smoother and less disjointed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I began it yesterday evening and found myself still reading it at five o'clock this morning. I finished the last few pages this morning and, upon completion, found myself thoroughly entertained. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a few laughs at the expense of America's reality television "celebrities."