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kingeditor's review against another edition
4.0
Science fiction has often endeavored to explain AI, but seldom has it tried to justify it. Instead of asking how AI would work or how AI would come about, The Stories of Ibis is more concerned with why people would make AI, what AI means to us, and where AI already exists in the present: stories.
In the view of Ibis, the titular storyteller, AI serves the same purpose as fiction, because, like a story, although an AI is not physically real, it can inspire real emotions, and the more positive those emotions are, the greater claim the AI has for being real in a different sense. Thus, even when the stories Ibis shares do not have AI present, they are still fundamentally about AI in that they explore how people use role-playing and collective imagination to cope with the outside world. While in each story technology has a role in facilitating these activities, it is less important than the interpersonal connections involved.
For a translated work, the writing and dialogue are clear, if sometimes marginal—though, perhaps this makes it better suited to an English reader—yet Yamamoto pushes the boundaries of a “light novel” in surprising ways, such as his invention of an AI argot and his seamless transitions between stories imbedded within each other. His settings, however, are typical otaku fare, which his characters acknowledge along with his debt to Asimov’s Laws of Robotics.
But unlike Asimov, his stories are all centered around female protagonists. This is not a coincidence, as Ibis admits early on that it is easier for her, a female AI (“female” being the gender she was assigned as well as her gender of choice), to relate to stories with female protagonists. This a bold statement coming from a male author, especially from a genre as male-dominated as science fiction.
Unfortunately, he is not as bold when it comes to addressing the sexual exploitation of these AI, which is an undercurrent throughout most of Ibis’ stories. Granted, whenever the abuse and prostitution AI suffer are mentioned, it is with indignation and disgust. Yet the objectification and infantilization of AI women is merely alluded to rather than confronted, and male gaze pervades both the intermissions of the male narrator and the stories told by Ibis.
Still, where the baggage of the light novel medium does not hamper it, The Stories of Ibis is truly a gem. Other science fiction books may offer crackling circuitry and turgid technobabble, but this one, to the satisfaction of a layman like myself, has warmth, heart, and pathos.
In the view of Ibis, the titular storyteller, AI serves the same purpose as fiction, because, like a story, although an AI is not physically real, it can inspire real emotions, and the more positive those emotions are, the greater claim the AI has for being real in a different sense. Thus, even when the stories Ibis shares do not have AI present, they are still fundamentally about AI in that they explore how people use role-playing and collective imagination to cope with the outside world. While in each story technology has a role in facilitating these activities, it is less important than the interpersonal connections involved.
For a translated work, the writing and dialogue are clear, if sometimes marginal—though, perhaps this makes it better suited to an English reader—yet Yamamoto pushes the boundaries of a “light novel” in surprising ways, such as his invention of an AI argot and his seamless transitions between stories imbedded within each other. His settings, however, are typical otaku fare, which his characters acknowledge along with his debt to Asimov’s Laws of Robotics.
But unlike Asimov, his stories are all centered around female protagonists. This is not a coincidence, as Ibis admits early on that it is easier for her, a female AI (“female” being the gender she was assigned as well as her gender of choice), to relate to stories with female protagonists. This a bold statement coming from a male author, especially from a genre as male-dominated as science fiction.
Unfortunately, he is not as bold when it comes to addressing the sexual exploitation of these AI, which is an undercurrent throughout most of Ibis’ stories. Granted, whenever the abuse and prostitution AI suffer are mentioned, it is with indignation and disgust. Yet the objectification and infantilization of AI women is merely alluded to rather than confronted, and male gaze pervades both the intermissions of the male narrator and the stories told by Ibis.
Still, where the baggage of the light novel medium does not hamper it, The Stories of Ibis is truly a gem. Other science fiction books may offer crackling circuitry and turgid technobabble, but this one, to the satisfaction of a layman like myself, has warmth, heart, and pathos.
claraurorar2's review against another edition
3.0
Awesome ending. That one story might be worth reading the whole book, but still since it's supposed to be a single building story I can't help but feel that 2/3 of the book are weak and sloppy. Still, loved the center of it and the ending.
nielswu's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ryan_dm's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not a fan of short story anthologies but The Stories of Ibis is proof that I can be lured into reading (and liking) them by putting them in a single wider story.
This is dystopian/utopian. It's got sentient machines, tolerably annoying characters, and intriguing world building. I read it some time back and life offline gives me reason to think of it fairly often. By that measure alone I'd say this book is well worth reading.
This is dystopian/utopian. It's got sentient machines, tolerably annoying characters, and intriguing world building. I read it some time back and life offline gives me reason to think of it fairly often. By that measure alone I'd say this book is well worth reading.
spoerk's review against another edition
3.0
Very very interesting. Almost, Bladerunner-y (movie. not Do Androids Dream....) I liked it, but ultimately felt like I knew where the book was heading. Although, seeing how this is an English translation, I don't know what got lost.
lushr's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the pace of this book, an interaction with a young boy and a supposedly "evil" though seemingly benign android. Interspersed with the fictional stories she tells him the story jumps back yo their conversation between each story keeping it very engaging and the variety of stories gives such a wide overview of AI and androids, it all ties together nicely as a great book.
At first I was worried thus would have that misogynistic bent that japanese culture gas, but the author uses female protagonists of all kinds in each story and deals with all kinds of complex issues like equality and self awareness with a deft touch.
While I don't share the authors vision of our future, and I think it was a bit of a stretch to make it believable, this may have been a weakness in the translation, a japanese world view, or simply a different idea of where humanity is headed. The story was still well worth reading with a very uplifting ending.
At first I was worried thus would have that misogynistic bent that japanese culture gas, but the author uses female protagonists of all kinds in each story and deals with all kinds of complex issues like equality and self awareness with a deft touch.
While I don't share the authors vision of our future, and I think it was a bit of a stretch to make it believable, this may have been a weakness in the translation, a japanese world view, or simply a different idea of where humanity is headed. The story was still well worth reading with a very uplifting ending.
davidmosesfruchter's review against another edition
4.0
This is a collection of short stories woven together by themes (AI, VR, loneliness, society and its decay) and by a frame story in which they are "told" -- a rather 1001 Nights approach, which is specifically acknowledged at one point in the text. I found the stories to be interesting and mostly all too plausible ventures into the near future, with enjoyable metanarrative strands and a number of moments that were quite moving as well. Fans of manga & anime, fanfic communities, MMORPGs, and robots would probably especially enjoy this book; I'm not one, but still had a great time reading it.
theinvisiblecosmo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
paperclips09's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0