Even if you have read each thing that Bernays, Kotler or even Tkalac Verčić ever wrote, you may know every thing there is to know about Public Relations. But let’s be real, all that theory can get a little boring. So why not try novels with the various aspects of Public Relations? Sure, why not? A bit of fiction before bed never hurt anyone and it will for sure benefit you. This post will focus on the books that are not strictly PR theory, but theory wrapped in a bit of practice that will be both useful and entertaining to the reader.
Boomsday (2007) by Christopher Buckley
Novel follows Cassandra Devine, a blogger and a PR woman who starts a rivalry between Baby Boomers and younger generations who don’t want to pay high taxes for the retirements of their elders. You may have already come to a conclusion that this is a political satire, so you know that a good fun is guaranteed.
Player Piano (1952) by Kurt Vonnegut
A novel by critically acclaimed writer, known for his other works like Cat’s Cradle or Slaughterhouse 5, is yet another good science fiction novel wrapped up in the layers of satire and big questions, as well as many disguised themes that you might miss if you don’t read carefully enough. This one focuses on mechanization of work class, to be more correct, replacing lower classes with machines while managers keep running the business from their big offices. How is PR wrapped up in this entire scheme? Pick it up and read it, this post is not here to spoil you the ending.
Thank You For Smoking (1994) by Christopher Buckley
You may have heard of this one thanks to a popular movie from 2004, but books always give you more, don’t they? So you may already know the plot, Nick Naylor is a chief spokesman who works for a tobacco lobbying firm that promotes the benefits of the cigarettes and that is only the beginning of the entire series of more or less spectacular events. In case you did not see the movie, make sure to first dig into the book.
Little Green Men (1999) by Christopher Buckley
Yet another novel by Christopher Buckley that includes certain aspects of Public Relations and a really twisted one as a matter of fact. Another satire, a bit of science fiction that turns out not to be science fiction at all, so there’s one of many twists and turns. This novel follows John O. Banion who is a television host of a popular show and he ends up being abducted by the aliens but is returned to the Earth shortly and that is where all the drama starts.
Everyone Worth Knowing (2005) by Lauren Weisenberger
In case you enjoy lighthearted books and loved Devil Wears Prada, this is the right book for you. Not revealing any plot details to you here, but here’s a fancy quote from the book:
„I have an office full of people whose job it is to know everyone worth knowing. Thirty-five thousand names, actually, and we can get in touch with any of them at any time. It’s what we do.“
— Kelly, describing her public relations business to Bette.
Written by: Petra Baranović
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomsday_(novel)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everyone_Worth_Knowing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Green_Men_(novel)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player_Piano_(novel)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thank_You_for_Smoking_(novel)