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Excerpt
Excerpt from "Undo": A Novel, by Joe Hutsko
As nearly as I can remember, I began writing this novel in the
summer of '88, after leaving my job at Apple Computer, Inc.,
where I worked for almost four years for former Apple chairman
John Sculley, as his personal technology advisor. It was a neat
job title and a lot of fun, but somewhere in there I decided I
wanted to become a novelist. Eight years and two title-changes
later, the first novel that I set out to write, known these days
as "Undo," is finally available to readers in this special
electronic edition, free of charge.
Electronic books, or e-texts, have been available for some time
now so this is hardly groundbreaking news. Or is it? For me,
it's a pretty big deal. Primarily because the electronic books
that are available to download from the Internet, the World Wide
Web, and online services such as CompuServe and America Online,
were published previously in hardback or paperback editions, or
both. Bruce Sterling's "The Hacker Crackdown: Law and Disorder on
the Electronic Frontier," for example, was first published in
hardback by Bantam in 1992, then in 1993 in paperback, also by
Bantam. Sterling wisely retained the electronic rights to his
book so that he may - electronically speaking - do as he pleases
with his work. To the best of my knowledge, Sterling is the first
author to give away his published, in-print book for free on the
Net.
I don't know how many people who download e-books actually read
them from cover-to-cover, though I suspect the number is rather
low. Mainly because the medium isn't as easy on the eyes as
traditional paper-based books. I would bet that most people who
download e-books - and I'm talking about novels, vs. reference
works - browse them part of the way, then delete them from their
computer or PDA. As for works of non-fiction, such as Sterling's
book, or the enormously serviceable "Elements of Style" (which
has recently appeared in e-book format), readers refer to these
works on a need-to-know basis. But novels, they're another story.
A novel is something you curl up with and, if it's a good one,
lose yourself in, much the way Alice found herself getting lost
in that fantastic looking glass. Perhaps the valuable thing about
publishing a novel as an e-text is that it gives readers a taste
for the story and for the author's style, so that the reader can
then go out and purchase the published edition if they want to.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Undo by Joe Hutsko
This excerpt serves as a preface or author’s note to Joe Hutsko’s novel Undo, offering insight into the book’s origins, the author’s career shift, and his reflections on the emerging medium of electronic publishing (e-books) in the late 1990s. Below is a breakdown of its key elements, themes, literary devices, and significance, with a focus on the text itself.
1. Context & Background
- Author’s Career Transition: Hutsko begins by explaining that he left his job at Apple Computer (1984–1988), where he worked as a "personal technology advisor" to then-CEO John Sculley. This detail establishes his tech-savvy background, which later informs his perspective on digital publishing.
- Writing Process: He mentions that Undo took eight years and two title changes to complete, suggesting a long, evolving creative journey. The novel was finally released in a free electronic edition, a bold move at the time (late 1990s/early 2000s).
- Historical Moment: The excerpt was written during the early days of e-books, when digital reading was still novel. Hutsko positions himself as an early adopter, experimenting with free online distribution—a concept that was not yet mainstream.
2. Themes
A. The Evolution of Publishing & Digital Disruption
- Hutsko contrasts traditional publishing (hardback/paperback) with the emerging e-book format, noting that most e-books at the time were reprints of previously published works (e.g., Bruce Sterling’s The Hacker Crackdown).
- He highlights Bruce Sterling’s innovative approach—retaining electronic rights to distribute his book for free—suggesting a shift in authorial control over distribution.
- The passage reflects skepticism about digital reading habits, questioning whether people actually read e-books cover-to-cover or just browse and delete them. This foreshadows modern debates about attention spans in the digital age.
B. The Nature of Reading & Immersion
- Hutsko distinguishes between novels and reference works in digital form:
- Novels are meant to be immersive ("curl up with," "lose yourself in"), like Alice in Through the Looking-Glass.
- Non-fiction/e-books (e.g., The Elements of Style) are used functionally ("need-to-know basis").
- He suggests that e-books may serve as "tasters"—readers sample them before buying a physical copy, a model that anticipates modern digital marketing strategies (e.g., Kindle samples, free first chapters).
C. The Role of the Author in the Digital Age
- Hutsko frames his free e-book release as both experimental and personal ("a pretty big deal"). Unlike Sterling, who republished an existing book, Hutsko is debuting a novel digitally first, making him an early pioneer.
- His self-awareness about the medium’s limitations ("not as easy on the eyes") shows a pragmatic yet optimistic view of digital publishing’s potential.
3. Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices
| Device | Example from Text | Effect/Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| First-Person Narration | "As nearly as I can remember, I began writing this novel..." | Creates an intimate, conversational tone, making the reader feel like Hutsko is speaking directly to them. |
| Rhetorical Question | "Or is it?" (after saying e-books aren’t groundbreaking) | Engages the reader, prompting them to reconsider the significance of digital publishing. |
| Analogy/Metaphor | "lose yourself in, much the way Alice found herself getting lost in that fantastic looking glass." | Compares reading a novel to Alice’s surreal journey, emphasizing immersion and escapism. |
| Contrast | "novels vs. reference works" | Highlights the different ways people engage with digital texts, reinforcing the idea that novels demand deeper attention. |
| Anecdote | Reference to Bruce Sterling’s The Hacker Crackdown | Provides a real-world example of digital publishing, grounding Hutsko’s arguments in precedent. |
| Speculative Tone | "I don’t know how many people... actually read them..." | Reflects uncertainty about the future of reading, inviting the reader to ponder the same questions. |
4. Significance & Legacy
- Early Digital Publishing Experiment: Hutsko’s decision to release Undo as a free e-book was ahead of its time, predating the rise of Amazon Kindle (2007) and widespread e-book adoption. His approach mirrors later self-publishing and open-access movements.
- Author as Tech Insider: His Apple background lends credibility to his thoughts on technology’s impact on literature, bridging the gap between Silicon Valley and the literary world.
- Predictive Insights: His observations about digital reading habits ("browse then delete") anticipate modern concerns about short attention spans, skimming culture, and the decline of deep reading.
- Hybrid Model for Publishing: His suggestion that e-books could serve as "samples" for physical sales foreshadows modern hybrid publishing strategies (e.g., free first chapters, Kindle Unlimited).
5. Key Takeaways from the Text Itself
- Personal Journey: The excerpt is autobiographical, tying Hutsko’s career shift (tech → writing) to the evolution of publishing.
- Digital vs. Print Debate: He doesn’t dismiss print but sees e-books as a complementary medium, especially for discovery and accessibility.
- Reader Behavior: His skepticism about e-book completion rates reflects a realistic view of how people consume digital content—often in fragments rather than full immersion.
- Optimistic Experimentation: Despite uncertainties, he embraces the potential of digital distribution, positioning himself as a pioneer rather than a critic.
Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters
This passage is more than just an author’s note—it’s a time capsule of the late 1990s digital publishing revolution. Hutsko’s dual identity as a tech insider and novelist allows him to critique and champion the e-book format simultaneously. His practical yet visionary approach makes the excerpt relevant even today, as debates about digital reading, authorial control, and the future of books continue.
Would you like a deeper dive into any specific aspect, such as Hutsko’s writing style or the novel Undo itself?