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tigersmom's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
stephibabes's review against another edition
5.0
The power and intimacy we imbue and allow technology to have in and over our lives is interestingly explored in this novel by Schweblin. With interesting stories and characters the connectedness that an anonymous robo-pet can bring by shrinking the global context is has flashes of hope and joy, but ultimately caves into highlighting the darker side of what the internet can do when anonymous connections are used as a cloak for dark impulses.
I really enjoyed the dipping in and out of different characters experiences. Some that we came back to again and again until their ultimate conclusion (sometimes creepy, sometimes crushing) and others that we glimpsed insight into only once and briefly.
I really enjoyed the dipping in and out of different characters experiences. Some that we came back to again and again until their ultimate conclusion (sometimes creepy, sometimes crushing) and others that we glimpsed insight into only once and briefly.
nialystic's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
kyra_c_c's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in two sittings. I picked it up based on reviews that called it "disturbing" and I wasn't disappointed. Probably a very lazy comparison to make but it was very Black Mirror, so if you enjoy that I'd recommend this book!
janiswong's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Really struggled with this book but wanted to like it given the topic is usually what I enjoy. The narrative felt very fragmented and the underlying message wasn't as powerful as many others I've read in the genre.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
Really difficult to convey what the subtext being discussed was in this novel. The story revolves around the viral craze that is the worldwide spread of pet robots, which people are purchasing for their homes and offices, within these robots someone else in the world has a random link to simply lurk and spy. The novel is built around a myriad of characters who aren’t even necessarily interconnected and there is ultimately very little resolution. But it was a fascinating and entertaining read.
emory's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
chyna's review against another edition
3.0
3/5. This book was unsettling at times but what astonished me more was that I wasn't THAT disturbed by it because sometimes, I could really see it happening in real life. There were many moments that bored and even considered DNFing it maybe twice but I just kept going. The last 1/3 was where it got interesting. I think what I got from this that we can never assume the intentions of people on the other side of the screen because mostly it's concealed. Online connections can never replace personal ones.
leticiasother's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
yv3ske's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5