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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Family Experiment by John Marrs is less of an experiment and more of a social commentary that isn't just focused on the idea of family and the ideas of perspective and perception as the book revolves around a futuristic reality television show. It's about what the audience sees as you interpret from their chats inserted within the pages, and it's about what happens within each of these couples' lives when they sign up and connect with their virtual child within the Metaverse.
After the first couple unravels under the stress of a crying baby, you might expect the other families to follow a similar trajectory. However, the narrative takes unexpected turns, revealing that these families are far from happy or stable. Each storyline reaches a climax that surprises, whether through feuding tensions or a compelling twist created by the character's past coming to light.
When these storylines within the competition are all intertwined through these couples struggling to be good parents, they manage to engage with each of their conclusions, ranging from being karmic to being satisfying as they reach their next stage after living through the competition. However, one ending was outlandishly far-fetched as it provided too much of an optimistic end for a character previously thought to be deceased through another revelation.
It's an engrossing techno-thriller that brings you into five lives already under the strain of their burdens. While it's a familiar comparison, the plot is reminiscent of a potential Black Mirror episode if you enjoy that show.
After the first couple unravels under the stress of a crying baby, you might expect the other families to follow a similar trajectory. However, the narrative takes unexpected turns, revealing that these families are far from happy or stable. Each storyline reaches a climax that surprises, whether through feuding tensions or a compelling twist created by the character's past coming to light.
When these storylines within the competition are all intertwined through these couples struggling to be good parents, they manage to engage with each of their conclusions, ranging from being karmic to being satisfying as they reach their next stage after living through the competition. However, one ending was outlandishly far-fetched as it provided too much of an optimistic end for a character previously thought to be deceased through another revelation.
It's an engrossing techno-thriller that brings you into five lives already under the strain of their burdens. While it's a familiar comparison, the plot is reminiscent of a potential Black Mirror episode if you enjoy that show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Trafficking
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Infertility
Minor: Self harm, Murder
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Trafficking
Minor: Mental illness
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It took a long time for the book to come together. Very slow pace, and I feel like there were still some unanswered questions at the end. However, it was very thought provoking.
Clever ideas and a fresh take on reality shows. Compete for the chance of a child...then whack up the stakes even higher. Bravo. It's my first delve into John Marrs' canon of works and will look forward to another. I felt it was a little difficult to keep track of all the POVs - so recommend concentrated periods to read.