Body Electric Susan Squires 9780843950366 Books
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Body Electric Susan Squires 9780843950366 Books
While reading this book, I had the song "Silent Running" by Mike & the Mechanics playing in my head on loop because it reminded me of a good 1970s science-fiction movie, like Westworld or Silent Running - one that might be a little dated, but still holds up over time because of how it tackles serious ethical issues about what happens when technology goes too far or falls into the wrong hands.Looking at the cover for this book, you might think that you're going to get something like ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND meets DEMON SEED. A lonely woman creating a "sensual" artificial intelligence that she wants to find a human body for? Gee, that doesn't sound creepy at all. I had nightmarish visions of what that story line would entail, let me tell you. Spoiler: The Mummy.
What I got instead was an incredible story with a great romance and pulse-pounding action. It had this fantastic 70s or 80s movie vibe, and I kept thinking to myself, "Damn, it's a shame people are pretentious twits who can't look past a romance cover, because this would make an amazing movie!"
Vic is a brilliant computer hacker working for a huge software company named Visimorph whose creator, McIntire, has a total monopoly on the industry. Vic is in charge of one of their newest products, Neuromancer (yes, named after the William Gibson book), but she's also got a side-project nobody knows about that's hidden inside Neuromancer's code: the first truly autonomous AI, Jodie.
Jodie, who is named after Jodie Foster, feels a near-instant bond with its creator, even if they sometimes butt heads or misinterpret the other's feelings or intentions. It wants to please her, and tries to get her gifts or presents, and feels jealous when it sees others attempting to vie for her affections (but not in a creepy way). After watching Jodie evolve and grow, Vic feels affection for her creation in the manner of all creators, but when she learns that Jodie identifies as male (and not female, as she originally intended), that affection quickly grows muddled and far more complicated - especially when Jodie expresses his desire for a body, so he can live, and breathe, and feel, as he aches to do.
BODY ELECTRIC references many cyberpunk books, like Ray Bradbury's I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC, William Gibson's NEUROMANCER, and even THE CONCEPT OF MIND, in reference to Gilbert Ryle's criticism of mind-body dualism. This is only fitting, though, considering the weightiness of the subject matter. Even though I would call BODY ELECTRIC a romance, it brings many interesting and serious discussions to the table like gender identity and dysphoria (and the pain of having someone misgender you, especially intentionally); what it means to have true AI, and the ethics that come with that; and, of course, sexism, particularly sexism faced by women in a male-dominated industry where their achievements are either overlooked, appropriated, or both.
I couldn't put this book down. It was one of those books I found myself thinking about as I went about my day, looking forward to the moment when I could return to the story. McIntire is a truly terrible villain, and I found myself invested in Jodie and Vic's star-crossed romance, wondering how they could possibly have a happy ending when they had so many people working against them. There are moments when it was almost painful to read, but there was no way in hell I was going to stop.
I can't wait to read this author's other books.
P.S. This makes for the first romance I've read that involved sex on top of bubble wrap.
4 to 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Body Electric Susan Squires 9780843950366 Books Reviews
The story started out slowly, but kept increasing in interest until it grabbed you and wouldn't let go. Victoria is a former hacker who is working for a huge firm that has an unscrupulous owner. Her skills are top-notch and she develops an AI without her boss's knowledge. She names him Jody, and from here the roller coaster ride starts. The story is well paced, with twists and danger. I recommend it!
If this book was in techo-thriller category it would not cause as much fuss, as it is more in the Robin Cook-Michael Crichton vein than true romance. I have always held that the romance genre is a misnomer, that there is NO genre outside of publishing's mind, because romance is all genres - horror, historical, western, mysteries, suspense and comedy...name a catagory and there is a writer in the romance field doing it and doing it well. And Susan Squires is out to prove that point with a vengeance!!
Squires is a super writer, she challenges the reader, pushes buttons and makes you think. But at times, I get really really angry at her characters (LOL)!! This book is a stroke of near genius, but it is very hard to connect with Vic...the emotional tie you need to your main character is lacking. At times, not only is there no empathy, you really do not like Vic. It is that lack that causes this work to just miss mark. She is a graphic writers (some readers complain TOO graphic - if that is the case then don't read her). She pulls no punches, gives the reader no pleasant safety net. She writes with a confidence that is way beyond someone with just a third book and is a name that will be around.
It is a sad day when humans are less than machines. That said, BODY ELECTRIC is an interesting romance with a rush of feeling like you went to the movies. 2001, A Space Odyssey...The Fifth Element...The Terminator...Blade Runner these are all movies that come to my mind while reading this story.
Victoria Barnhardt has a gift. She is uber-intelligent but has a problem getting along with other human beings. So she decides to create a friend, something with a girlish image who she can talk to. She works for a capable firm that gives her access to the very things she needs to create artificial intelligence or should I say NOT give her access because Victoria is working on the sly. She knows that if others find out they'll use and control her technology.
Fast forward and AI is now a reality, and more. Other reviewers have told you more so I won't dwell on what goes on. This is just to let you know that if you enjoy a not-perfect romance, want to care about the characters, need to feel a chemistry between the H and HER and are looking for something different, try BODY ELECTRIC. This is my first Susan Squires book; it is a contemporary romance with a sci-fi edge. It is easy to read and you will come away with the belief that maybe our future is not so bleak as many think.
Vic is a hacker who spent some time in jail for her hacking antics. Thanks to the rich CEO guy who bailed her out, she now works for a huge corporation that basically controls all the world's information. She steals storage space and time from them in order to pursue her dream ... the creation of artificial intelligence. No one is more surprised than she is when she succeeds, but she has to keep her project a secret. Of course, the higher-ups eventually figure out something's up, and they devote all their resources in pursuit of her and Jodie (her project).
This was a little slow for me, and the sexy times didn't quite live up to what the cover suggested. However, there were some things I really liked, such as Vic's secret nights out on the town and her internal struggles. Her relationships with her coworkers were interesting too. Mostly, there's computer stuff. Vic spends a lot of time in front of the screen, typing. I'm not sure how much of the terminology the author invented and how much was real, but it was convincing to me, at least.
While reading this book, I had the song "Silent Running" by Mike & the Mechanics playing in my head on loop because it reminded me of a good 1970s science-fiction movie, like Westworld or Silent Running - one that might be a little dated, but still holds up over time because of how it tackles serious ethical issues about what happens when technology goes too far or falls into the wrong hands.
Looking at the cover for this book, you might think that you're going to get something like ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND meets DEMON SEED. A lonely woman creating a "sensual" artificial intelligence that she wants to find a human body for? Gee, that doesn't sound creepy at all. I had nightmarish visions of what that story line would entail, let me tell you. Spoiler The Mummy.
What I got instead was an incredible story with a great romance and pulse-pounding action. It had this fantastic 70s or 80s movie vibe, and I kept thinking to myself, "Damn, it's a shame people are pretentious twits who can't look past a romance cover, because this would make an amazing movie!"
Vic is a brilliant computer hacker working for a huge software company named Visimorph whose creator, McIntire, has a total monopoly on the industry. Vic is in charge of one of their newest products, Neuromancer (yes, named after the William Gibson book), but she's also got a side-project nobody knows about that's hidden inside Neuromancer's code the first truly autonomous AI, Jodie.
Jodie, who is named after Jodie Foster, feels a near-instant bond with its creator, even if they sometimes butt heads or misinterpret the other's feelings or intentions. It wants to please her, and tries to get her gifts or presents, and feels jealous when it sees others attempting to vie for her affections (but not in a creepy way). After watching Jodie evolve and grow, Vic feels affection for her creation in the manner of all creators, but when she learns that Jodie identifies as male (and not female, as she originally intended), that affection quickly grows muddled and far more complicated - especially when Jodie expresses his desire for a body, so he can live, and breathe, and feel, as he aches to do.
BODY ELECTRIC references many cyberpunk books, like Ray Bradbury's I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC, William Gibson's NEUROMANCER, and even THE CONCEPT OF MIND, in reference to Gilbert Ryle's criticism of mind-body dualism. This is only fitting, though, considering the weightiness of the subject matter. Even though I would call BODY ELECTRIC a romance, it brings many interesting and serious discussions to the table like gender identity and dysphoria (and the pain of having someone misgender you, especially intentionally); what it means to have true AI, and the ethics that come with that; and, of course, sexism, particularly sexism faced by women in a male-dominated industry where their achievements are either overlooked, appropriated, or both.
I couldn't put this book down. It was one of those books I found myself thinking about as I went about my day, looking forward to the moment when I could return to the story. McIntire is a truly terrible villain, and I found myself invested in Jodie and Vic's star-crossed romance, wondering how they could possibly have a happy ending when they had so many people working against them. There are moments when it was almost painful to read, but there was no way in hell I was going to stop.
I can't wait to read this author's other books.
P.S. This makes for the first romance I've read that involved sex on top of bubble wrap.
4 to 4.5 out of 5 stars
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