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The Program (novel)
2004 novel by Gregg Hurwitz From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Program: A Novel is a novel by Gregg Hurwitz, first published in 2004. It has since been released as an Audio CD, an Audio Cassette, and was reprinted in paperback format, in 2005.[1][2][3] The Program picks up where The Kill Clause left off, following a series of books by the author involving fictional Deputy U.S. Marshal, Tim Rackley.[4][5][6]
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Plot
The work is part of a series following the character Tim Rackley, a member of the United States Marshals Service, and opens with a suicide in the La Brea Tar Pits. Rackley must rescue the daughter of a Hollywood producer from a dangerous mind control cult, by infiltrating the group.[7][8] Charismatic leader TD Betters had created his own society based on self-help tenets, and Rackley must navigate through it without getting pulled in himself.[9]
The novel describes a fictional large group awareness training called "The Program",[7] and characters also use the term Large Group Awareness Training and "LGAT" to refer to the course.[10] In the novel, the seminar leader had "married two cult models", which one of the protagonists describes as a blend of the "psychotherapeutic cult", and the "self-improvement cult".[10] The character then tells his friend that "The Program", is similar to a combination of the Sullivanians and Lifespring.[10] Werner Erhard is quoted, prior to the opening of the prologue.[10]
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Reception
Publishers Weekly characterized the work as engaging, and grounded in character and detail.[9] Lukowsky of Booklist described the work as a "gripping read."[11] The Oakland Press described the work as a thriller and a good character study.[12] Oakland Press writer Mark Terry went on to state that the author had done his homework researching for the book, and that it was a fascinating and disturbing look at cults.[12] The Chicago Sun-Times also gave a favorable review, noting that this was the author's fifth work at the age of 31.[7] The book also received favorable reviews in The Capital Times,[13] Cleveland Plain Dealer,[14] and the San Jose Mercury News.[15]
In the Audio version, AudioFile cited narrator Dylan Baker's "strong performance", stating that he differentiated between the multitude of characters in the book well, making them easy to distinguish.[16] AudioFile went on to state that Baker's narration helped the listener comprehend how cults could manipulate those ignorant of their tactics.[16]
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Adaptations
On October 12, 2003, film producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura was set to develop a feature film franchise based on Hurwitz’ Tim Rackley series at Paramount Pictures with Hurwitz writing the screenplay.[17][14] On March 12, 2012, TNT was set to develop a television series adaptation of Hurwitz’ Tim Rackley series with Hurwitz set to executive produce with Shawn Ryan executive producing and showrunning the series adaptation through Sony Pictures Television.[18]
See also
References
External links
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