I See You Analysis

Discuss how both the form and content of I See You affirm Shukri’s assertion that he writes in the “age of interruption”.
Thomas L. Friedman (2006) coined the term “age of interruption” which was based off of what Microsoft executive Linda Stone had said to be “continuous partial attention”(Rose 17). It is basically the idea that in today’s world we are perpetual state of interruption and we never truly pay attention to one thing at a time. It cannot be described as multitasking because the aim of multitasking is to increase productivity while continuous partial attention is based off of an insatiable desire for connectedness (Rose 17). Shukri’s assertion that he writes in the age of interruption can be seen both the content and form of his novel I See You. This essay will discuss the manner in which this piece of work reflects the “age of interruption”.
The novel opens with a radio show which is
This formula of an omniscient narrator coupled with linearity and a cathartic ending can be seen as a novel starter pack. This novel starter pack is a futile attempt to achieve linearity in our lives when, in reality, life is chaotic. As such Shukri abandons this novel starter pack. The manner in which the novel ends is demonstrative of this because the reader is left on a cliffhanger. There is no closure for the reader or hint with regard to Leila’s political career and more significantly, whether or not Tariq is ever rescued. This idea of life being non-linear is made worse in the age of interruption because not only are many stories vying for one’s attention: Tariq’s abduction story is tangled in stories about Tariq’s travels, the issues of in South Africa and with all of these stories, we do not find closure which is reflected in I See