Autonomous / Annalee Newitz

Autonomous

by Annalee Newitz

science fiction, thriller

copyright 2017

rated 7/10: well worth reading

I do like this world of high tech extending into magic. Write a bit of code to change your DNA. Print out the latest vehicle or weapon or drug. Stream the internet direct to your mind. All controlled by a twiddle of the fingers, a shrug of the shoulders or a twitch of the face.

The story itself is a bit broad. It provides a solid understanding of why-is-it-so by providing a few too many flashbacks. Plus too many characters to demonstrate all aspects of this society. I can see why soap opera characters suffer so many personal disasters: it's easier for the reader to cope with just the one character. No matter how unlucky that character seems to be.

It's interesting that the author, in an afterword, says that a major edit was required to make the characters sympathetic. It doesn't quite work. After many words of slow story there is a sudden burst of violence -- which leaves me with an unshakeable dislike of two major characters. (Though I am still pleased with their ever-after ending.)

The story itself... covers several themes.

An interesting extension of the classic theme of equality for all thinking beings, human or electronic. A robot can become a free citizen. First, though, it must work off the cost of manufacture, as a slave. Okay so far. If a robot has equality with a human -- then a human can, equally, be a slave. Unpleasant logic and a valid point.

Another theme is the freedom to love -- and have sex with -- other people of other genders. And with robots. That is, the book is in favour of human/robot love and sex. Okay. Seems a bit creepy to me -- as presented in this book -- but I have no real objection.

Except for the scene where the love -- or desire for sex -- is first introduced: The male human climbs onto the back of the sexless robot while the robot fires big built-in guns. And I mean guns, it's not a euphemism. Hanging onto the back of a metal robot, big guns firing, the man gets an erection... the first visible sign that he has romantic feelings for the robot.

Really? I thought it was a comedy scene: big robot, big guns, macho man gets all excited. A hard-on for the power of the hardware... But no, it's the first sign of human/robot love.  I still think it's funny.

Overall, the book is enjoyable. Lots of action, lots of tech, some interesting ideas. A lot of time -- too much time -- spent exploring all aspects of the ideas. Some nasty but not sickening violence. Good science fiction exploring important issues. Worth reading and easy to read.

Also: it's a "thriller". In the sense of a small number of goodies fighting against a world-wide tyranny of organised evil.  The goodies are clearly outgunned and over-matched... but they are good/nice and good/clever. They may not win the war -- but they will definitely win this quite important battle.

====    Dr Nick Lethbridge  /  Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
===

"I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain just to become a vegan." … Ginger Meggs
===

dying for you to read my blog: notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au :-)
====