Book Review #106
Machines Like Me
by Ian McEwan
I have now read thirteen of McEwan's novels. This one falls somewhere in the middle. He is obviously very intelligent and writes very well, but I wanted to like this latest work more than I did. The story line is intriguing: Charlie buys Adam, a handsome, sentient robot. He and his girlfriend Miranda program Adam. And, as you would expect, a love triangle ensues. Miranda is haunted by a terrible secret that she keeps from Charlie. There is also an adoption subplot. All of this is well and good and completely held my interest. Unfortunately McEwan digresses with long-winded passages about politics, the British economy, the Falklands War, etc. Also, although the plot takes place in the 1980's, McEwan rewrites history: Kennedy survives the attack in Dallas, we have the internet service and the Beatles are recording again. Frankly, I found much of this, except for Alan Turing working with A.I. and residing with his male lover, frivolous and annoying. I think McEwan could have streamlined his novel by about 75 pages, leaving the reader with an engrossing story that is at times suspenseful and humorous yet in the end mournful and thought provoking.
by Ian McEwan
I have now read thirteen of McEwan's novels. This one falls somewhere in the middle. He is obviously very intelligent and writes very well, but I wanted to like this latest work more than I did. The story line is intriguing: Charlie buys Adam, a handsome, sentient robot. He and his girlfriend Miranda program Adam. And, as you would expect, a love triangle ensues. Miranda is haunted by a terrible secret that she keeps from Charlie. There is also an adoption subplot. All of this is well and good and completely held my interest. Unfortunately McEwan digresses with long-winded passages about politics, the British economy, the Falklands War, etc. Also, although the plot takes place in the 1980's, McEwan rewrites history: Kennedy survives the attack in Dallas, we have the internet service and the Beatles are recording again. Frankly, I found much of this, except for Alan Turing working with A.I. and residing with his male lover, frivolous and annoying. I think McEwan could have streamlined his novel by about 75 pages, leaving the reader with an engrossing story that is at times suspenseful and humorous yet in the end mournful and thought provoking.
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