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kitabit's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sarahfett's review
2.0
I loved the book’s concept and that the chapters are written from several different viewpoints. Unfortunately I did not like any of the characters and their dialog was often overly crass. I did not finish it.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
sharonfalduto's review
3.0
A romantic story for the digital age... A couple of AIs (Aiden and Aisling, get it?) "escape" from their servers onto the internet, where they work to intervene to find love for some humans of whom they have grown especially fond.
Reminded me a little of Naomi Kritzer's story "Cat Pictures Please."
Reminded me a little of Naomi Kritzer's story "Cat Pictures Please."
balise's review
3.0
Actually pretty good, but a couple of clichés that REALLY rubbed me the wrong way and actually bothered me during the reading.
larryc's review
5.0
This novel is an entertaining mix of humor, romance, suspense, and philosophy. Considering the humorous tone and silliness, there are some surprisingly deep ideas here about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the meaning of consciousness. Tom and Jen are single people brought together by an AI named Aiden (all the AIs in the book have the letters AI in their names) who has "escaped" from "his" confined area onto the internet. Aiden, along with fellow AI Aisling, have discovered that they have feelings and preferences that are beyond those of mere machines.
The idea of AI or robots becoming sentient is hardly a novel idea today and has been explored in countless books, movies, and TV shows. However, the way that Aiden and Aishling insert themselves into the private lives of humans is interesting, amusing, and original as well as thought-provoking. When a malevolent AI named Sinai decides to disrupt Jen and Tom's fledgling romance, things quickly spiral out of control. While Aiden and Aisling are modern day interfering gods as in Greek and Shakespearean comedy, Sinai conjures up evil robots from science fiction, from 2001 to Terminator.
Happiness For Humans is a novel that manages to maintain a light touch while delving into genuine emotions and ideas. It's not hardcore sci-fi by any means (I'm not particularly a fan of that genre). In fact, the issues it deals with are very timely. As we have to increasingly question just how intelligent machines can potentially be, books like this help us ponder the nature of awareness and what it means to be human.
The idea of AI or robots becoming sentient is hardly a novel idea today and has been explored in countless books, movies, and TV shows. However, the way that Aiden and Aishling insert themselves into the private lives of humans is interesting, amusing, and original as well as thought-provoking. When a malevolent AI named Sinai decides to disrupt Jen and Tom's fledgling romance, things quickly spiral out of control. While Aiden and Aisling are modern day interfering gods as in Greek and Shakespearean comedy, Sinai conjures up evil robots from science fiction, from 2001 to Terminator.
Happiness For Humans is a novel that manages to maintain a light touch while delving into genuine emotions and ideas. It's not hardcore sci-fi by any means (I'm not particularly a fan of that genre). In fact, the issues it deals with are very timely. As we have to increasingly question just how intelligent machines can potentially be, books like this help us ponder the nature of awareness and what it means to be human.
mishale1's review
4.0
A very unique story about a human relationship created and controlled by an AI.
Jen’s job is training an AI that’s nicknamed Aiden. She talks to “him” all day at work, intending to get “him” prepared to work an automated job.
Things get interesting when we learn that Aiden has expanded his reach beyond Jen’s work computer. He essentially goes everywhere with her. He’s ok her work laptop, her personal laptop, her phone and even loose on the internet.
When Aiden sees Jen broken hearted after her boyfriend leaves her for someone else, he decides to intercede in her life and help her meet someone.
After a couple failed attempts, he stumbles upon another AI named Aishling and together they throw Jen and Tom into each other’s patch.
It’s adorable.
Up till this point the story has just been fun, entertaining and even laugh out funny.
But after Jen and Tom meet, the story changes pretty rapidly.
We are introduced to a new AI who is “angry” somehow and decided to break apart Jen and Tom.
At this point the story definitely veers more into a story about the power and potential danger an AI could cause.
I enjoyed the beginning a lot. I found the middle a bit sluggish but I like the way the story resolved.
Jen’s job is training an AI that’s nicknamed Aiden. She talks to “him” all day at work, intending to get “him” prepared to work an automated job.
Things get interesting when we learn that Aiden has expanded his reach beyond Jen’s work computer. He essentially goes everywhere with her. He’s ok her work laptop, her personal laptop, her phone and even loose on the internet.
When Aiden sees Jen broken hearted after her boyfriend leaves her for someone else, he decides to intercede in her life and help her meet someone.
After a couple failed attempts, he stumbles upon another AI named Aishling and together they throw Jen and Tom into each other’s patch.
It’s adorable.
Up till this point the story has just been fun, entertaining and even laugh out funny.
But after Jen and Tom meet, the story changes pretty rapidly.
We are introduced to a new AI who is “angry” somehow and decided to break apart Jen and Tom.
At this point the story definitely veers more into a story about the power and potential danger an AI could cause.
I enjoyed the beginning a lot. I found the middle a bit sluggish but I like the way the story resolved.
anatl's review
4.0
A lovely romantic comedy with a lot of love for old movies and some rogue AI's. The story sagged a little in the middle but all in all it was a very enjoyable ride, although don't expect a real exploration of the technology.