This is a show like no other!
I’ve always been a big fan of the TV series Black Mirror. The dark themes, sombre tone, and gut-wrenching twists all made the show one of the most impactful I’ve ever seen (right up until Miley Cyrus was roped in at least). To me, the best episodes were always the ones that ran with a premise that felt like it was right on the cusp of actually coming about in our society; that the dystopian future being shown to the audience was already right on their doorstep. The reason I’m running with that as an introduction is that that’s the exact vibe I got from Louis Greenberg’s Exposure. The novel delivered one of the most gut-punching and thrilling premises I have ever read, so check out What We Reading as we go through our Exposure book review.
Date Published: 2021
Author: Louis Greenberg
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Pages: 304
GoodReads Rating: 3.5/5
Premise
Set in alternative London, Exposure follows protagonist Petra, a South African migrant who meets a man named Vincent after he falls out of a window and (literally) at her feet. The two strike up a connection and go on a date to a mysterious, yet infamous, show known as Metamuse.
Metamuse is known for being the most immersive theatre experience in the world, with an incredibly select invitation list and a number of innovative techniques to unlock deep emotions from its audiences. Before long, the mysterious figures orchestrating the show begin masterminding some unexplainable coincidences that begin to grapple with the characters.
Exposure follows Petra and Vincent as they become increasingly embroiled in the show, and the effects it has on unlocking some of their deepest, darkest secrets.
What Worked
Undoubtedly the thing the best part of Exposure is the premise. The idea of a dystopian London setting where an immersive theatre experience is taking control of people is seriously original.
Louis Greenberg does a superb job in ‘setting the stage’ with the book’s characters, whether that be at the Metamuse shows or just in their everyday lives, which goes a long way in making this one of the most memorable reads of the year for me.
The mystery of the show and the unquiet dead figures lurking in the shadows add a beautifully-written mystery to the proceedings, and the idea of Metamuse experience is a seriously thought-provoking one to grapple with.
What Didn’t
Exposure has some glaring issues that we need to get out of the way, and almost all of them revolve around the two main characters and their relationship together.
In short, it just doesn’t work that well.
Having not read a lot of Louis Greenberg before, I’m not qualified to talk about whether this is a part of his writing he isn’t as comfortable with, but throughout the entire book, it just felt like this was just not a relationship that was going anywhere. ‘Instalove’ tropes can be problematic but, for an accomplished and capable protagonist like Petra here, it’s something that sticks out like a sore thumb.
She is constantly reduced to schoolgirl-like attempts to get affection from a bloke who is clearly not that into it, but this is almost the only way in which the story is able to progress throughout.
Compared to the haunting relationships shown behind the Metamuse shows, this odd dynamic just appears even more baffling.
The ending of Exposure is also somewhat underwhelming. It feels quite rushed in comparison to the rest of the book’s pacing, and not the sort of finale a lead like Petra deserved.
Verdict
Exposure is a bit of a diamond in the rough.
It is by no means perfect: the relationship between Petra and Vincent really lacks much in the way of chemistry, the ending is a bit rushed and the whole ‘instalove’ dynamic is always going to be iffy for some readers.
However, the premise of a theatre experience that sways audiences enough to turn them into killers is so good. The idea of Metamuse raises an interesting question over how intrusive entertainment spectacles have a right to be, especially given the rapid rise in technology.
Exposure works as a premise because it is so thought-provoking and so easy to imagine happening in the world.
Original, unique, and genuinely haunting, the Metamuse experience is undoubtedly the star of the show here and well worth a read on its own.
Our rating: 4/5
Check Out Our The Sanctuary Book Review
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
