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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Catching up…
Can technology change everything? Can it be responsible for helping people find their perfect match?
Or…
Better yet, simulate someone we love and have lost, so that we can find a way through our grief, as we summon that person through emails, or video chats, so that our goodbyes can be healed easier?
So…
Can we ease our grief or complete unfinished business by interacting with a computer simulation?
And…
What happens when that simulation learns and changes, even though the original loved one stopped developing at death?
Seems simple. Appears logical.
But…
Is it really?
Does it also feel icky too, to seemingly bring back the dead this way?
Well…
If we concentrate on the story and the characters, maybe the science won’t matter.
Especially…
When the characters feel so quirky, sweet-natured, colorful and interesting.
But…
Then something happens. (No spoilers here.)
So…
Will this particular event still allow readers to feel hopeful in the essential goodness of people?
A book that grips readers, makes us laugh, and cry, and think. Perhaps, that is a good thing?
3.5 stars rounded up.
Can technology change everything? Can it be responsible for helping people find their perfect match?
Or…
Better yet, simulate someone we love and have lost, so that we can find a way through our grief, as we summon that person through emails, or video chats, so that our goodbyes can be healed easier?
So…
Can we ease our grief or complete unfinished business by interacting with a computer simulation?
And…
What happens when that simulation learns and changes, even though the original loved one stopped developing at death?
Seems simple. Appears logical.
But…
Is it really?
Does it also feel icky too, to seemingly bring back the dead this way?
Well…
If we concentrate on the story and the characters, maybe the science won’t matter.
Especially…
When the characters feel so quirky, sweet-natured, colorful and interesting.
But…
Then something happens. (No spoilers here.)
So…
Will this particular event still allow readers to feel hopeful in the essential goodness of people?
A book that grips readers, makes us laugh, and cry, and think. Perhaps, that is a good thing?
3.5 stars rounded up.
I enjoyed this book - loved the concept, and the characters. I would have enjoyed it more if there wasn't so much analyzing and deliberation over death and the ethics surrounding it, but then again, it would have been a completely different book without it. It's probably a book that would have touched me more if I had just experienced a loss myself. Well written.
I really wanted to like this book but there was too much unreal techiness to it. I think the writing was ok and it did make me cry once but ultimately I didn't enjoy this.
Odd. Loved the idea of RePose, the company featured in this book, as a Victorian mourning meets 21st century technology...but overall the characters were wonderful but the background story a little too pedantic.
Gut Instinct Rating: 2.75
Characters: 3.5
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3
Story Line: 4
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 4.14
Characters: 3.5
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3
Story Line: 4
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 4.14
I love the way this book was written, mostly because the author is witty, and uses language that makes you laugh out loud and nod your head. I thought the relationship between Meredith and Sam would be so boring and stale -- and it was the opposite. I found them well developed, perfect complements, and I was so invested in their lives.... which is exactly why this story was heartbreaking. I don't usually give reviews, but this book, for so many reasons, just stood out. The concept of the story is intriguing, even if imaginary, but the characters sold it. I don't usually get emotional over books, but twice I had to put it down and wipe a few tears. I'm recommending it to everyone.
Just as funerals are for the living, RePose—a company whose technology helps recently bereaved people—is for the living who are trying to say goodbye; who are trying to let go. The problem is, people become addicted to the virtual relationship—to the deceased—the computer program offers…whether it’s the life-like video chat capability, email, or texting. Extremely well written, this thought-provoking book dishes up savory food for thought that’s richly seasoned with laughter and tears. If you’ve ever lost someone to death, might lose someone to death, or realize you’re going to die yourself one day, this book’s for you.
This novel was very moving, but has such an unusual premise that I think many people will pass it by. It takes on issues of the role of technology in grieving. The fact that this is such an odd juxtaposition made it fascinating to me. In the story, emails and face chats the deceased left behind are used to help heal those who are grieving the loss. While reading this book, I found myself thinking a lot about my father, deceased since 1998. It wasn't that I wanted to communicate with him in the way the book describes, but I couldn't help feeling connected to him. I really do not know how to describe it. I thought this book was phenomenal, and the characters engaging. Not sure how to recommend it, though, because of the subject matter.
Sam and Meredith work for a computerized dating service; Meredith in marketing and Sam as programmer. Sam writes a brilliant algorithm that helps the two of them meet. Then he writes another based on old email correspondence that allows her to get emails and video chats from her recently departed grandmother based on her archived histories.