Machines Like Me: A Novel
by Ian McEwan, 2019, Audiobook narrated by Steven Crossley, Recorded Books
This is an interesting book about a man who buys a robot to experiment what it would be like to have as a companion for him and his girlfriend. The book is set in the 1980’s, during and after the Falklands War. McEwan changes history significantly as the outcome of various historical events are the opposite of what actually occurred during that time.
The technology associated with this robot is far advanced of what was available at that time. In fact, the book was published in 2019 and such capabilities as he depicts are still not available. Despite the inconsistencies with historical facts and technological advances, the story is a compelling fantasy about what it could be like if such a robot were a reality.
Coupled with the technological and ethical issues that are associated with this invention, McEwan uses the altering of facts to satirize the political and social environment in England at the time. It was fun to listen as the story progressed, as it was easy to be caught off guard not expecting the events that unfolded.
My only criticism of the book is that the ending is a disappointment. There was so much that could have happened after the book ended and I was left wanting a more robust and fulfilling ending to an otherwise well-written and interesting story.
One very nice advantage of listening to this novel is that the reader captured the mindset and personality of the main character so well. I would have missed this if I had read the book rather than listening to the audiobook.
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