oPtion$ is a really funny and interesting book, and I have to confess that like many others I have a fascination with figures like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and others of their ilk. This book is written in a very satirical manner and rarely takes itself seriously. The life of Jobs, his family and friends is so surreal, so larger then life you can’t help but be amused and interested.
Lyons has done a truly remarkable thing in this book. So many of us only know the mock turtle neck wearing, creative genius, dynamic speaker persona of Jobs that when Lyons is writing as that persona I found myself believing it at times. We all have our opinions of what it must be like in that life and Lyons is able to take our everyday fascination with this icon and represent it within this story.
That is not to say all is perfect within the pages of oPtion$; some of the story twists are a little unbelievable (even for people with this scale of money), and at times his portrayal of Jobs doesn’t sit well with me. My perception of the CEO of Apple is that he is intelligent, perceptive, and creative - eccentric yes, but definitely talented.
Lyons take on Jobs at times is that he stumbled upon many of the Apple innovations and was simply in the right place at the right time. You can tell that Lyons believes that Jobs is also responsible for all of Apples current success, but it isn’t demonstrated clearly enough on the pages.
That being said, oPtion$ is a thoroughly enjoyable book and a definite page turner. I was smiling throughout my reading experience and was pleasantly immersed in the world of Steve Jobs and his iconic life. I highly recommend this novel to anyone with not only an interest in Steve Jobs and the Apple culture, but also anyone who enjoys interesting characters and an entertaining story.
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