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A review by antisocialghost
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This started out interesting and lost steam about 2/3rds in. The concept is a lot of fun, Annie’s complexity and contemplative confusion is a mix of endearing, interesting and at times frustrating, and I found myself getting excited every time she showed some little hint of purely human defiance or felt indignant. There were many times I had to remind myself that she wasn’t human and therefore it was unfair of me to be irritated by her or impatient with her, which I think was done really well.
It was a little repetitive and predictable and I think in my heart I was yearning for a story more like the film Companion and a character that leant a little more Blade Runner in her internal exploration and existentialism than the male-centred tradwife robo-barbie we end up reading about. Initially I understand that she was programmed that way so it makes total sense, but in her evolution she still ends up in the home of a man, relying on his ability to provide for her (and likely willing to exchange herself for it, if he’s open), which was supremely disappointing.
(Also I found it strange that there was a distinct lack of (human) women in this book/Annie’s life. It would have been interesting for her to have a relationship with at least one, since her whole spiel is am I enough like a real woman yet?)
My hopes had been that her freedom would mean seeking out others like herself, becoming more human through the average lived experience, going to act out that non-existent childhood she daydreamed about and helping other Stellas evolve and gain their freedom independently. Annie didn’t break free of her programming, she was given permission to ignore it by her owner, which unfortunately diminishes the triumph of her leaving for me.
It was a little repetitive and predictable and I think in my heart I was yearning for a story more like the film Companion and a character that leant a little more Blade Runner in her internal exploration and existentialism than the male-centred tradwife robo-barbie we end up reading about. Initially I understand that she was programmed that way so it makes total sense, but in her evolution she still ends up in the home of a man, relying on his ability to provide for her (and likely willing to exchange herself for it, if he’s open), which was supremely disappointing.
(Also I found it strange that there was a distinct lack of (human) women in this book/Annie’s life. It would have been interesting for her to have a relationship with at least one, since her whole spiel is am I enough like a real woman yet?)
My hopes had been that her freedom would mean seeking out others like herself, becoming more human through the average lived experience, going to act out that non-existent childhood she daydreamed about and helping other Stellas evolve and gain their freedom independently. Annie didn’t break free of her programming, she was given permission to ignore it by her owner, which unfortunately diminishes the triumph of her leaving for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming