An Atheist in the Foxhole by Joe Muto is the autobiographical story of a liberal reporter that works for Fox News for eight years. When I read the cover of the book it seemed like Joe Muto was on some sort of undercover mission at Fox News, but after reading I found out that Joe actually started his journey at Fox News somewhat by accident. After graduating from Notre Dame, realizing he didn't exert himself as much as he could have during his four years of undergrad, he was desperate for a job. He sent his resume out to countless companies but got no responses. As his situation got more desperate, he ran into a classmate at a bar that suggested he apply for a job at Fox News. At first he was appalled by the idea of working for the conservative "enemy" but his classmate assured him working on the IT side was no different than working for any other company. Joe hesitantly sent in his resume, with a completely sarcastic cover letter, and much to his surprise, got an immediate response. The twist however was, Fox loved his resume so much they didn't just offer him a job working their computers, they offered him a job on the actual network. Joe was shocked that this was the first company to actually want him, and due to the fact that he had no other offers, he took the job.
The first chapter of An Atheist in the Foxhole takes place during Joe's last day at Fox, over the last eight years he explains how he has been carefully and secretly leaking Fox's secrets to various liberal blogs and news sources on the internet. He is halfway through his work day after a majorly successful leak when his co-worker turns to him and says, "They caught the mole." Joe is in complete shock and mentally becomes a nervous wreck, but tries to maintain his composure in front of his coworker. He then realizes that his Ipad has lots of information that could prove he's the mole, so he begins a harrowing journey out of the building trying not to get caught. The rest of the story is told in flashback form from this point. Occasionally the story then flashes forward to his journey out of the building, and although he hasn't been explicitly caught at this point, it is implied that he will be. In addition to the flashbacks and flashforwards, the structure of his writing includes footnotes on almost every page, the footnotes add interesting facts, tidbits, and sometimes downright ridiculous insights into Fox News. Overall the writing is very clever and discriptive, with lots of hilarious quips and fun facts tossed in every so often. What I particularly like about Muto's writing is that he does not portray himself as a hero, or even as a special person. In fact, he can be quite blunt about himself, and especially at the beginning he portrays himself as a lowly desperate college graduate. He's very open about the mistakes he makes, and the writing benefits from his ability to make fun of himself. So far he has only begun his job at a low level, but from flashforwards I know that he will someday be working right at Bill O'Reilly's side, so I look forward to reading about how he'll get from where he is now to that point.
Nice job with your first post. I was very impressed and enticed by your synopsis of the story; you seem to have a very clear understanding of the plot already, and where it is going. Although it is autobiographical, you portray it in such a way that seems interesting and entertaining, as if it were fictitious. Actually, until the end of your second paragraph I had forgotten already that you said this was an autobiographical text, and then I had a new found appreciation for the summary altogether.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I thought I was great how you commented on the structure of Muto's writing. We have discussed in class the techniques writers can use to distinguish changes in time, or to make time progress, and it seems that Muto's structure fits perfectly. The use of flashbacks and flash forwards helps to develop the story- in both directions. I don't do well with keeping track of multiple time periods and events (like the movie, Inception, I could not follow it!)and I was slightly confused just by reading your description of the structure, but it was intriguing nonetheless.
Finally, I apprecaite how you brougt yourself into this post. I think it is important that you continue to write what you like or don't like about how Muto writes, and to analyze the text through your perspective as a writer.
Well, I am also fascinated! I had never heard there was a "mole" at Fox News -- the whole idea of which tickles me to no end. I mean, really, it is just the idea that a NEWS organization has that kind of secrets to leak... I am intrigued. As Grace commented, I also like how it appears Muto structures the book with the story in mind -- he is going to unfold it to keep you reading.
ReplyDeleteI really like this you used a lot of details and I pictured it. You really remembered the story because I don't always remember the exact story line. Like Mrs.Romano said I never heard there was a "mole" at Fox News. It really makes you wonder what else people are keeping from people.
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