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emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Unworld is an extraordinarily timely novel, one that examines the edges where AI and what-makes-us-human may come uncomfortably close in the (near) future. It’s also a poignant look at grief and the lengths we will go to in order to process it, and it asks what makes a memory true and what makes it ours. All really interesting, deeply resonant themes. Plus, it’s a fast-paced, quick read.
And so I liked it a lot — up until the end, which fell short for me (and, it seems based on other readers’ reviews, for a lot of people). I had expected something that made me — and the characters — feel a little more changed; the central mystery has a lot of energy that fizzles out instead of exploding.
Ultimately, it’s like this book aaaaaalmost became what it was trying to be. A bit of a bummer, tbh.
And so I liked it a lot — up until the end, which fell short for me (and, it seems based on other readers’ reviews, for a lot of people). I had expected something that made me — and the characters — feel a little more changed; the central mystery has a lot of energy that fizzles out instead of exploding.
Ultimately, it’s like this book aaaaaalmost became what it was trying to be. A bit of a bummer, tbh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Suicide, Grief
Moderate: Addiction
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In the world of UnWorld, humans have the ability to accessorize their brains with a device that stores their memories. Smooths them out. Helps them organize their thoughts. Not quite an implant, as they are externally worn, but somehow these devices grasp the human's brain and intersect with it.
Anna has a son, Alex, and a husband, Rick. Alex is 15 and a bundle of anxiety. Rick has the boundless enthusiasm and energy of a golden retriever. Both Alex and Rick feel too much, while Anna is more stoic. Anna was gifted an 'upload' by her husband for her 40th birthday. For eight years she's synced nightly with this non-human part of her brain. But when things go horribly, terribly wrong in her life, she can no longer handle having this extra voice inside her head. It has simply become too much.
This was not an easy book to read. Some of the themes are very dark and tragic. The characters are all struggling with their own issues. But that being said, it's also an amazing dive into the human psyche. Each chapter covers a point of view of one of the main characters, starting and ending with Anna. While Anna really is central to the entire story, the true center is the 'upload.' This fictional bit of hardware that almost seems to have a soul is the main character and the reason for the story to exist.
Quite creative in the sci-fi sense, this book really isn't science fiction. While the town Anna and the others inhabit is mostly run by AI, the people are just people like you and me. With the same quirks and habits. It's really very well done in the sense that you don't feel like you're going to an alternate universe.
As I said, not the easiest book to read. But worth every minute spent reading. The character development and storyline are interesting. Well thought out and well constructed. I did enjoy it.
Trigger warning: suicide and addiction
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Addiction
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love that a lot was left to the reader's imagination. The point comes across easier since you're not getting distracted trying to learn the details of this near-future world and how everything works in it. It's just there in everyday life, so you figure out how it works as you read on.
It reminded me so much of Black Mirror in the setting, technology, and the swift shocking moments that pop up quickly and move on just as your eyes had time to widen a bit! The main similarity between the show and UnWorld is that the story is focused on emotional complexities and just uses tech as a lens into human behavior and relationships.
The dialogue is the only thing I found a little predictable, or maybe not convincing enough? The overall writing is so smooth, and I enjoyed reading the character's inner thoughts!
Thank you to Knopf for the Advance Reader's Edition
It reminded me so much of Black Mirror in the setting, technology, and the swift shocking moments that pop up quickly and move on just as your eyes had time to widen a bit! The main similarity between the show and UnWorld is that the story is focused on emotional complexities and just uses tech as a lens into human behavior and relationships.
The dialogue is the only thing I found a little predictable, or maybe not convincing enough? The overall writing is so smooth, and I enjoyed reading the character's inner thoughts!
Thank you to Knopf for the Advance Reader's Edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Suicide
Minor: Addiction, Cursing
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail