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mimlleigh's review against another edition
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Infertility
an_library_stan's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A biting but cheeky critique of tech, it's sexism, racism and uncritical adherence to a particular model of growth and monetization. Also a story about young love, the opportunity of post college and <realizing a relationship isn't going to work out>.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Death
ermj94's review
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had no idea what to expect from this so it was a nice surprise when I really enjoyed it. I became quite invested in the characters without noticing and I found the tech aspect of the plot really interesting, despite knowing nothing about the startup world. It was very easy to read and was funnier than I imagined it would be. The pacing was a little all over the place but I was intrigued enough by the story that it didn't really matter.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Death of parent
just_one_more_paige's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another Aspen Words Literary Prize 2022 Longlist read finished! This is my seventh of the sixteen and, as is a pattern with these Aspen Words books, I ended up being much more interested and invested in the story than I would have thought, based on the blurb. Which, honestly, is why I'm continuing with this reading journey/challenge for another year, and even after the shortlist announcement has been made.
Asha Ray is a super intelligent coder, in a grad school program looking to revolutionize AI by adding empathy to their programming. But her entire life trajectory changes when she attends a funeral for a high school teacher and runs into Cyrus Jones, her high school crush. The chemistry between Asha and Cyrus is strong and, in a whirlwind, they are married. Cyrus' role as a sort of spiritual guide for those around him inspire Asha to start on a new coding project that leads to them joining forces with a third person (their now mutual friend Jules), Asha dropping out of school, and them joining a new age co-working space called Utopia that incubates creative solutions for end-of-the-world/apocalypse situations. After the typical initial "start-up" stress/drama, their ritual-creation platform hits the bigtime, Cyrus is being hailed as a Messiah, Asha's pivotal role in the platform's creation is downplayed, and their marriage is facing some challenges that it may not be able to survive.
This has really nothing to do with the rest of the review, but I really am not feeling this cover. I walked by this book on the "new" shelf at the library a number of times before finally talking myself into picking it up, because I just wasn't connecting with the look. That being said, what I got on the inside ended up being so much better - so here I sit, a great reminder to not judge a book by its cover. Anyways, let me start by saying that the writing was stunning; it was alive, electric! It was an amazing mix of classic literary and contemporary snark/intelligence. I couldn’t get enough of it. Pacing-wise, the beginning and end were super engaging and surprisingly edge-of-your-seat (well, at the beginning it was a surprise to me, but by the end, the tension build throughout was coming to a head and the anxiety in the plot/relationships was expected…and well delivered). The middle did slow a bit for me, not quite to a drag, but it did have less of the apprehension and tightness to it, so it felt a bit uneven.
The thematic content was incredibly timely and salient for the world we live in. I am a women neither in tech nor in a startup, but I am a woman…and the way Anam portrays that experience through both Asha’s self-diminishment and external minimization (despite have what felt like the best possible masculine co-founders at her side, which is really saying even more than if everyone was equally dismissive of her/unwilling to recognize her contributions) felt familiar despite my lack of direct connection to her specific experiences. There was a great conundrum of agency put forward, built to perfection as the plot unfolded: how much does one have the power to allow something to happen to themself versus how much power one actually has to stop it in a world/environment set up in opposition to it. Wow. Watching those close relationships in Asha’s life, especially with her husband Cyrus, grapple with the high-pressure situations/environments where home life cannot be separated from other parts of life, interpersonal conflicts spill over into workplace decision-making and vice versa, was fascinating.
I was also totally drawn in by the questions of technological ambition and limits of power and the realm of what goes past what *should* be attempted, against any historical interest in those types of philosophical conversations. Anam made them really accessible and relatable (kind of on par with the vibe and accessibility of similar questions related to tech and romance in Pek’s The Verifiers). And the “big” questions, like: What matters in life? What is the point, in the end, when everything you know is gone/changes? What will you do with the terror and opportunity of starting over? They were intense, but explored in a way that never felt overwhelming or pedantic – very “real life” applications of these questions.
This was a conceptually intriguing novel on so many levels, from the AI/tech aspects to the new age religious social media angle to the totally unique romance to the snarky social commentary on technology/the future/startup culture, all with an important connecting theme of questions of feminism in those environments and some phenomenally tense writing! The possibilities and limits explored in these pages are enthralling.
“We want to address the thirty-seven percent who say they don't believe in God because their politics or their sexuality excludes them from organized religion. We believe that even the nonreligious among us deserve our own communities, our own belief systems, whatever they may be based in. Ritual, community, that's what religion offers that no other human construct has been able to replace. Until now. We are here to give meaning back to people, to restore and amplify faith - not in a higher power but in humanity.”
"Teachers are our most intimate acquaintances for a period of our lives, but the relationship is tilted toward us; they mute themselves in order to act as a conduit for our growth.”
“…because all the great love stories are about two people bringing the story of their yesterdays and the story of their todays into one epic sewn-together poem, and that is what they mean when they say lightning strikes. It's not when it strikes the first time, it's when it strikes twice, which hardly ever happens, except, I think, when you fall in love.”
“...how have I managed to put myself on the margins of this story?”
“They are the curious, the wondering and wandering, hungering for connection, searching for meaning. They are the best of us. And we give them a place to be those people.”
“We of the small appetites have no choice but to step aside.”
“You’re telling me all greatness happens on the backs of other people.”
“He is that very worst thing, an intimate who is also a stranger.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexism and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicide
gems_books's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide
kedijahlamara's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would! The development of the main character, Asha, is inspiring. This book made me laugh, it made me angry, it made me hopeful. The story-telling is great, I really enjoyed Asha’s POV and the pacing was perfectly done.
I couldn’t rate it 5 stars mostly due to the fact that Cyrus is an insufferable character that everyone sucked up to for what reason?! I see why the author chose to write him in this way, especially towards the end. Asha for the win! But still… I wouldn’t read it again purely because of his character. The other characters are great and well developed. I love Destiny, Jules and Li Ann.
Overall, a really great read. I enjoyed it!
I couldn’t rate it 5 stars mostly due to the fact that Cyrus is an insufferable character that everyone sucked up to for what reason?! I see why the author chose to write him in this way, especially towards the end. Asha for the win! But still… I wouldn’t read it again purely because of his character. The other characters are great and well developed. I love Destiny, Jules and Li Ann.
Overall, a really great read. I enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
caseys_chapters's review
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
After a speedy marriage, newlyweds Asha and Cyrus create a social media platform that intelligently designs rituals for users based on their values. It becomes a huge success, but also expands into risky areas while straining their relationship.
I appreciated the story’s modern, important themes: the dangers of social media, how women are sidelined in relationships and business (especially tech), and the fine line between humanity and technology. These should be explored in fiction more!
However, the writing style wasn’t for me. It was too blatant and over the top at times. Plus there were odd similes (air conditioning is like walking in milk, for example) and hyper-specific details that might not age well. Maybe that’s a satire thing?
Although I didn’t totally love it, I bet a lot of people would enjoy The Startup Wife and I can see it thriving on screen. It’s relevant with an unprecedented social media concept that makes for great discussion.
Note: the story includes suicide and the pandemic. You may want to consider these elements before diving in.
I appreciated the story’s modern, important themes: the dangers of social media, how women are sidelined in relationships and business (especially tech), and the fine line between humanity and technology. These should be explored in fiction more!
However, the writing style wasn’t for me. It was too blatant and over the top at times. Plus there were odd similes (air conditioning is like walking in milk, for example) and hyper-specific details that might not age well. Maybe that’s a satire thing?
Although I didn’t totally love it, I bet a lot of people would enjoy The Startup Wife and I can see it thriving on screen. It’s relevant with an unprecedented social media concept that makes for great discussion.
Note: the story includes suicide and the pandemic. You may want to consider these elements before diving in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
becisbored's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Cyrus sucks.
There were so many interesting thoughts presented in this book that had my mind racing. What does religion, faith, ritual mean and look like in todays world? Where do people find meaning in the major life events that they experience? What does it look like for companies to take responsibility for how people use and react to their platforms?
Tahmima Anam tackles things like race, feminism, consent, gender, patriarchy, climate crisis, the pandemic, marriage and relationships, work, money and entrepreneurship. It’s a lot, all at once, and kind of a slap in the face. But I think the character of Asha makes it more digestible. I can’t say the same for her awful, narcissist husband, the ‘oh so holy who cannot do any wrong’. I loved the humour and direct digs at Silicon Valley and tech companies - I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Crazy Craig and his trampoline/swimming pool actually existed.
Sometimes I got a bit lost in the plot and questioned how believable it was, set in a world that is meant to mirror our own. But then I remembered that we are living in strange times, mass lockdowns, a global pandemic. Weirder things have happened and I do think people are at a place where a platform like WAI could bring meaning and community into their lives.Likewise, a platform like AfterLife, is one that I would not be surprised to see crash and burn and cause controversy in the real world.
I loved experiencing this world and this book through the eyes of Asha. Seeing the way she interacts and responds to different situations throughout her life as a POC was eye opening and the kind of perspective and diversity that is desperately needed across all forms of media.
Anam holds no punches. It’s an accurate, savage reflection on the moral debates and experiences at this exact moment in time. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
There were so many interesting thoughts presented in this book that had my mind racing. What does religion, faith, ritual mean and look like in todays world? Where do people find meaning in the major life events that they experience? What does it look like for companies to take responsibility for how people use and react to their platforms?
Tahmima Anam tackles things like race, feminism, consent, gender, patriarchy, climate crisis, the pandemic, marriage and relationships, work, money and entrepreneurship. It’s a lot, all at once, and kind of a slap in the face. But I think the character of Asha makes it more digestible. I can’t say the same for her awful, narcissist husband, the ‘oh so holy who cannot do any wrong’. I loved the humour and direct digs at Silicon Valley and tech companies - I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Crazy Craig and his trampoline/swimming pool actually existed.
Sometimes I got a bit lost in the plot and questioned how believable it was, set in a world that is meant to mirror our own. But then I remembered that we are living in strange times, mass lockdowns, a global pandemic. Weirder things have happened and I do think people are at a place where a platform like WAI could bring meaning and community into their lives.
I loved experiencing this world and this book through the eyes of Asha. Seeing the way she interacts and responds to different situations throughout her life as a POC was eye opening and the kind of perspective and diversity that is desperately needed across all forms of media.
Anam holds no punches. It’s an accurate, savage reflection on the moral debates and experiences at this exact moment in time. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Startup Wife follows Asha Ray. She’s working on a PhD on artificial intelligence when she reconnects with her high school crush Cyrus. In short order they are married and she is working with him, coding an app offering personalised religious rituals. They get invited to join Utopia, a tech incubator, and their app grows exponentially spurring a large online community. Until things go horribly wrong.
I struggled to get into this book. Part of it was the audio - when I was finally able to get hold of a physical copy my reading experience definitely improved. However, I don’t have much interest in social media (I know I’m on Instagram but that’s all and my account isn’t exactly a high flying, time consuming one) or the world of tech startups, although I certainly appreciated the satirical lens through which they were portrayed. Since I’m not a religious or spiritual person that angle didn’t really hook me either. What did capture my attention was seeing the relationship between Cyrus and Asha play out, both personally and professionally, especially the intersection between the two. Asha’s experiences as a woman in the tech industry were eye opening - so many micro aggressions and having her contributions ignored, minimised or claimed by others. The fact that her husband was so often the guilty culprit was rage-inducing.
I struggled to get into this book. Part of it was the audio - when I was finally able to get hold of a physical copy my reading experience definitely improved. However, I don’t have much interest in social media (I know I’m on Instagram but that’s all and my account isn’t exactly a high flying, time consuming one) or the world of tech startups, although I certainly appreciated the satirical lens through which they were portrayed. Since I’m not a religious or spiritual person that angle didn’t really hook me either. What did capture my attention was seeing the relationship between Cyrus and Asha play out, both personally and professionally, especially the intersection between the two. Asha’s experiences as a woman in the tech industry were eye opening - so many micro aggressions and having her contributions ignored, minimised or claimed by others. The fact that her husband was so often the guilty culprit was rage-inducing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Suicide
Moderate: Sexism