Fakebook: A True Story. Based on Actual Lies

by Dave Cicirelli

Overview

On October 5th, 2009, Dave posted a note on Facebook announcing that he was quitting his job, dropping everything, and walking west. But what no one knew (save a few collaborators) was that Dave was lying and that his westward travels were all an elaborate hoax.

And so Dave's existence split in two—earning his followers' trust with postings about everyday activities before escalating the story with tales of teepeeing an Amish horse and buggy and thus being forced to work off his debt on the farm. Meanwhile, the real Dave went into hiding, sequestering himself in his parents' empty house and growing more and more lonely.

This humorous, thought-provoking memoir will spark discussions of our social media culture and its impact on our relationships and interactions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402273773
Publisher:	Sourcebooks, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/17/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Dave Cicirelli is a New York York-based writer and art director with extensive experience serving iconic consumer and entertainment brands across all print, digital, and experiential mediumsmedia. His work has won a number of awards, including a Silver Anvil and honors from HOW Magazine, GDUSA, and Creativity 38. In the eight years he's been in the marketing industry, he's witnessed the impact social media has had on how brands talk to consumers. In the sixteen years since he got an AOL screen name, he's witnessed the impact social media has had on how people talk to one another.

Editorial Reviews

06/17/2013
In a wacky and bold memoir about identity in this cockeyed social media environment, Cicirelli amuses himself at the expense of his relatives, friends, and Facebook family by concocting a fake virtual self that goes completely bonkers. Cicirelli—a 26-year-old Walter Mitty–type who feels life is passing him by, with all of his Facebook pals achieving undeserved success—decides to shake up his existence, creating a raucous Web version of himself with a mischievous, gonzo sensibility but completely lacking in conscience. He blames the excesses on his hell-raising bloodlines, but says he never thought his “Fake Dave” online persona would become popular. He describes tapping into “a part of me who liked… seeing how far I could take it.” Those who follow Dave on Facebook react with shock and horror as they watch his electronic double go through various fake life-changing episodes trashing an Amish buggy, and clashing with the faithful and the law before the scam runs out of steam. Cicirelli’s comic online fever-dream is told with style and is a knockout. Agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"This very entertaining memoir chronicles Fake Dave's amazing adventures, and also the real Dave's life as he began to feel weirdly jealous of his fictional alter ego.... Lots of laughs here but also plenty of serious insights about the inherent unreality of social media." - Booklist

"A fast read by a glib writer, who shares what happens when you need to make your Facebook life more interesting than your real life." - New Jersey Star-Ledger

From the Publisher