The Control Problem

by Norah Woodsey

Vera Elpis is a quiet, 30-something single woman with a desk job, two friends, and a cozy apartment. On the surface, her life is beautiful. Children adore her, her inheritance sustains her, and she is safe. The main obstacles to her happiness are her unexplained infertility, and the anger she feels at the callous chaos of the world around her.

One day, when she is pregnant with her baby, those things won’t matter. Everything will be perfect.

In the lonely monotony of modern life, Vera fails to appreciate her own peculiarity. What happened before she moved to this apartment? How does she always know the weather forecast? And why doesn’t her cousin Jennifer, an executive at a secretive tech firm, trust her?

THE CONTROL PROBLEM is an eerie narration of a young woman who learns she is less than she thought and more than she realized. Who will she become, when her goal is lost? What path will she take?

Genres: Audiobook, Science Fiction

414 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Norah Woodsey is the author of The States, The Control Problem, Lifeless, and the novella When the Wave Collapses. After short careers in finance and tech, she has dedicated herself to creating fiction. Her subjects of intense interest but not quite expertise include history, physics, genetics, sociology and gender studies. The product of four generations of Brooklynites, she now resides on the west coast with her husband, children, and their dog Saoirse.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC audiobook provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“The Control Problem” is a sci-fi/fantasy story told from the journal entries of Vera Elpis, a quiet 31-year-old woman whose main goal in life is to be a mother. Vera leads a simple life. She has a desk job that she excels at, although she tries not to draw any attention to herself. Children adore her, her inheritance sustains her, and she is safe. Vera has two friends, one who whom is her cousin, Jennifer, an executive at a secretive tech firm. Jennifer has been a big help to Vera since she was in an accident that took the life of her parents and left her with virtually no memories.

Although Vera’s life is quiet and safe, it is also monotonous and lonely. However, she is convinced all that will change once she has her baby. Vera just has to overcome the infertility issues that plague her and go unexplained. But things take a drastic turn once Vera seeks out a new doctor, turning her world on its head. Why is she so peculiar? What happened before she moved to her apartment? How does she always know the weather forecast? And why doesn’t Jennifer seem to trust her?

I absolutely loved this book. It is a slow burn sci-fi/fantasy novel that explores the various sides of Vera, guiding her from being controlled to taking back control. Without giving too much away, the Vera of before is relatable on so many levels: unsure, insecure, docile, and agreeable. Vera aims to please those around her. As Vera learns more about herself and the world around her, things change, and Vera changes right along with them.

The author did an amazing job with this book. The characters were relatable and engaging. I felt myself invested in Vera’s story and caring about what would happen to her. The story arc was well executed. The plot itself was interesting and an original take on some sci-fi themes. The author’s writing style was enthralling, and it pulled me right in and never let me go. As I approached the end of the book, I was excited to learn how it would end while wanting it to not end at all. I was just enjoying it too much.

My copy of this book was an audiobook, so I must comment on the narrator, who was, in fact, the author. I’m often hesitant to listen to fictional audiobooks narrated by authors as they don’t always successfully pull off varying character voices. That being said, this author did an excellent job. Her narrative pace and tone were well done. Her character voices were well-executed and distinctive. I would definitely recommend the audiobook version of this book.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It was an interesting sci-fi/fantasy story that explored the struggles of one woman and her fight for control. I would highly recommend this book for adult and older young adult readers, as well as for fans of sci-fi/fantasy and fiction novels. Pick up a copy and enjoy!

[Jamie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this a warning about a potential future? Or does it give us hope? Science making progress and all the ways these things can hurt us. Or help us.
I loved Vera. She deserves all the best things even if she is a little misguided. I found the setting to be jarring. We are so close to all of that. What a nightmare. Or a daydream. Some of it might not be terrible. Arg!

I want Vera on my team.

[Crown Nowl · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC audiobook provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

In a not too distant future that could arguably be where we are headed, where ecological concerns are high, and AI is seamlessly integrated into society. Human concerns are still the same, heartbreak, longing, wanting to belong and be useful. Except when the line is blurred between human and AI. When you can’t trust what is you, or what is being done to you, where do you go from there?

I listened to the audiobook and it started out slow for me but by about 45% way through the audiobook I was invested. The monotonous existence that sets up Vera’s life was dull by design. But as she breaks out of her shell, that has been preprogrammed and monitored, it became so interesting to follow from the perspective of her diary.

Also learned that THE AUTHOR narrated the book! Very impressed with the quality. Never would have guessed! I actually love the parts where she narrates the news. The tone is EXACTLY like a newscaster. Highly recommend the audiobook version!!

Sarah’s motherhood rant in Chapter 31 really hits. Wow is that relatable. I think there are a lot of places in the book that will resonate with different people.

One thing I may have missed but can’t get out of my head… how did Vera think she was going to get pregnant without monthly cycles? Was that mentioned?

I really liked this sci-fi book and recommend picking it up! Makes you wonder how many algorithms affect and control your life.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

The Control Problem is a dystopian sci-fi told through the diary entries of Vera, the main character who lives a monotonous life and dreams of the day her fertility treatment works and she can have a baby. 

I loved Vera's character and hearing her inner thinkings through the journal entries. There were also tie-ins to news headlines and politics that provided excellent world-building. I really enjoyed the sci-fi approach to topics like motherhood, ethics, and control. Overall, I think this story was really well done! 

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I received an audio ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

Have you ever read a book where there's not much action, but you can feel simmering tension between the characters and within the main character in a very suspenseful way? That is Woodsey's novella, The Control Problem.

The Control Problem is an introspective, character-driven reflection on AI set in the near future. The technology in this book, although not explained in a technical way, is developed to assist humans either as serving bots or as modifications within the human body (for medical assistance or performance enhancement). There's also a lot of both blatant aggression and micro-aggressions against AI, which I thought was well done and really fascinating.

I loved Vera as a main character. Without saying too much, I'll just point out that she's bored. She lives a simple life, with a job that's outdated but predictable in a way she usually enjoys. She has friends that are a little wishy-washy but still good, and she knows that when she has a baby, she'll grow even closer to them and to understanding the mother's love they both already know. Feminist but easy to digest, Woodsey prompts some interesting discussions surrounding bodily autonomy with this book.

The narrator was great, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes introspective, character-driven fiction with a little anger and not action-packed suspense.

[Norah Woodsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expect nothing less from myself.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing mystery about the consequences of ignoring the externalities of technology masquerading as a story about achieving your dreams.

[Kade Gulluscio · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

The .. storyline of The Control Problem is fairly unique. I can't say i've read many books like this.

The writing style is what .. threw me off with that. I sometimes do enjoy the "diary entry" type of writing, but this one just felt ... off. It felt like we were missing pieces of the story quite often.

I wish i had better things to say bout this one, but it was just pretty boring for me. ;l

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Norah Woodsey for allowing me to read this book. This review is my own opinion.

I really struggled with this one...
I loved the premise and the blurb was intriguing. The diary format took a bit to get used to but it was definitely the best way for the story to be told.

I found the book to be inconsistent and a bit clunky. There was little direction from Vera after the initial twist of not being able to have a child. From there, I was never sure what the character's goal was. It kept switching between her desire to be a mother to finding out what happened to her with all the editing to everyday mundane things but there was always little focus.

There were also moments where things changed with little explanation. The first was when Vera realised she wasn't totally human and her reaction felt glossed over. I even went back to see if I missed anything. There was also the dinner party. Prior to this, Vera knows she's been edited by Jennifer's company and doesn't want Jennifer to know she knows... But then she's at the dinner party being asked questions and it seems to be out in the open. Not sure if I just missed something 🤷🏼‍♀️

There were also a lot of unneeded references to news articles and near future technology and society issues. Some were definitely relevant to the story but some were not and dragged on.

While I can appreciate the premise of the book, I felt that the execution was lacking. I would like to have seen some editing and a stronger direction.

Again, thank you for letting me read the ARC of this book!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Control Problem looks at the classic AI running wild concerns in a slow build/burn story as a woman peels back the layers behind her initially quirky on-the-spectrum type life as desperate questions about why she's unable to conceive a child eventually have her scrutinizing her body, her relationships, and here whole identity.

The book is her therapist-instructed journal, and her decision to start each entry with headlines gives us a glimpse at how technology is rearing its Black Mirror-esque side in a world full of surveillance, AI decisionmaking, and much more.

The structure and pacing are very compelling to draw you in and empathize throughout -- starting with Vera's somewhat sad life and job, relationships where she has some fun interactions with her friends' kids but is somewhat at arm's length and never quite relating to the adults, and her overarching longing to have a child and fulfillment. This is a very interesting look at the dangers of a person or thing that is kept in the dark/lied to about their true abilities and purpose; and what they might do when they discover both their power and the extent to which they were wronged; as well as who owes what to whom when memories can be erased and lives overwritten.

[S.E. Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so unusual. I almost DNF'd it, at first, as it was so drawn out and... dull? I realized later that it was intentional. Vera is mild mannered, with a boring job, and friends who aren't all that great. All she wants a to have a child of her own, but when she gets some terrible news at the doctor's office, it turns out there's more to her than even she knows...

I really enjoyed this near future, where the world is getting better in some ways, but not others. The inclusion of frequent news clippings to show that this world was like is a creative touch.

But the problem is, the book is so... preachy. It spends more time telling us about the problems of the world than actually getting to the plot. And there isn't all that much plot, until the end. It's fine to have a character-driven novel, but I wish the character did less telling and more doing. Her obsession with babies is understandable but repetitive.

What saved this book for me was the audiobook performance. The narrator is the author herself, and it's obvious she's talented. She really brings out the emotion in Vera and made it all the more personal. It stopped me from DNF'ing the book. Great performance.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that I really enjoyed, really, it made me think about really serious things… Vera is someone that we connect because she only has a desire, she wants to be a mother… that is until she learns a very harsh truth… and that brought me to a very sad reality of our days… but I cant really comment in what I really mean because that could possibly give spoilers and I want everyone to have a chance to read this book and learn things through the eyes of someone that is learning about herself at the same time that we the reader learn about her… there are things that become clearer to us first, because of the off comments (those being outside Vera diary).

I did like Vera, she was to me someone that I felt sad for, I felt her pain, sometimes the diary feels like same old same old, but then we start to realise that is more to Vera than meets the eye. I really recommend this book to everyone.

The only thing that I didn’t really enjoy was the ending… I didn’t really understand why, or even who, will we have a sequel?

Thank you NetGalley and Norah Woodsey for the ARC and AAC and this is my honest opinion.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I went into this without knowing too much about it because I wanted to avoid spoilers and I was pleasantly surprised by the premise and the twist it took. Living in an era where AI seems to get more relevant by the day, it's interesting to read something focused on the role AI can have on our lives, how it can be used to control us and what are the consequences of living in a world like this.

However, even though the premise is cool and so is the plot, the execution left a little to be desired. I don't know if it's because it's harder for me to focus when I'm listening to an audiobook versus reading a book, but I kept getting distracted and having to rewind and trying to find the place I stopped paying attention. I think maybe the format - the diary entries (so detailed and full of uninteresting details) - might be to blame for this, but I'm not sure.

Overall, I think this story had a lot of potential to make me like it but it was just a bit too slow to hold my attention. I recommend it, though! Maybe try the written format instead of the audiobook :)

[Lanette Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am rounding up to give this book five stars because of the originality of its premise and the powerful punch of its surprise ending. I can't say much about the plot without spoiling things (though most readers will have a good idea of what is going on long before the main character figures it out), but this book has interesting things to say about artificial intelligence, the commercialization of science, the ease with which the poor are dehumanized by those with money and power, the innate longing for biological motherhood, and the often invisible line between authentic friendship and a friendship based on what someone can do for you. I also loved all the clever ways bots are used for menial labor in the near-future portrayed in this novel.

The audio version of this advance reader copy was gifted to me by Netgalley; I enjoyed the narration by the author, who keeps her tone smooth, as befits the character she is portraying, while still managing to move and disturb the reader. I highly recommend this novel.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, this is a cool book. The story is set in the very near-future, with believable technology that will most likely be used within our lifetime. The way the author grapples with AI and medical advancement feels prescient and unsettling.

I'm not sure what it says about me as a reader, but I GET Vera. Her mindscape, her motivations, her worldview... this was an incredibly sympathetic character. That being said, I think I liked this book so much mainly due to relating to the protagonist.

The story goes a bit off the rails in the final chapters, but still remains in the realm of what you would expect. A solid debut and an author to watch.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Macy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first dip into the sci-fi genre. The editors description sounded interesting. AI run amok, really terrible people and a kind of interesting storyline. The plot felt very disjointed and the narration was ironically, very robotic with zero emotion or inflection. Glad I listened, but recognize this isn’t a genre I will return to. It’ll probably a better listen or read if this is a genre you enjoy.

I recevied a copy of this audiobook from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* This story gives us a unique perspective on a typical sci fi element. I really enjoyed this perspective. We also get introduced into the world through news casts and articles which was super creative. The story itself was interesting and had a great plot line. The only reason this wasn't a full 4 stars or higher was that it was a little long and paced erratically. Some parts drug on and the ending just flew fast. I would have appreciated a more consistent pace throughout.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy. This book is out now!

[Sandy Gudaitis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The good. The narrator by the author was excellent! Good fleshed out characters for the most part .

Overall tho I was confused. Vera wants a baby so much !! Then adoption is available and it’s no longer if interest ?
Why not ?
I think Jennifer was friends with Vera for business reasons. What about Sarah ?
I think I had more questions along the way but I’ve lost track. Seemed like a very long story.
Thanks NetGalley and the author for a chance to listen in exchange for my honest opinion Maybe I’m not so much a sci-fi fan

[Marci Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I was expecting and I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I also hated some of the characters a LOT more than I expected to! These people are assholes, period. And I hope that our technology never expands to be able to do this type of thing to another human! Terrifying!

I will definitely be looking for more books by Norah Woodsey!
#thecontrolproblem
#NetGalley

[A. Lorna Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Pretty interesting read! A bit of a slow burn but it definitely drew me in. The narrator was pretty good and kept my attention.

[Donna Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It raises a lot of ethical questions about the use of technology. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads

[Kyle Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Control Problem is excellent. I've just finished and Vera already haunts me. I'll try not to fall down the rabbit hole of how timely The Control Problem is.

First off, Norah Woodsey writes powerfully. She gives the reader as much transparency while keeping the world outside Vera opaque. Once the world comes into focus, it feels earned and she's great at rewarding the reader. And there are so many fantastic passages in The Control Problem.

"Whole world is falling apart around us, and they can't even be bothered to pay attention to distractions."

"Do we all carry these rivers of darkness in us?"

Vera's observations of a world somewhere between a death rattle and an upheaval make an impact. The Control Problem slow boils the horror of losing autonomy. We meet Vera, who dreams of a child of her own. Traveling the maze of Vera's hopes, we learn quickly this singular focus is not a direct a journey as she thinks. The world around Vera–her friends and her co-workers-seem to have answers to questions she doesn't know to ask. Without spoiling The Control Problem, Vera learns she must seek her own answers and her own questions. Reclaiming agency between the boundaries of love, wonder, and disdain. It is one of the most unique stories I've read, owing a great deal to Woodsey's narrative structure and pace. You will find yourself choking up for Vera, getting frustrated with her, and at times just wanting peace for her. Woodsey never gives up on Vera throughout the winding, nervous places we travel, and neither will you.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC. On the surface, this is a sci-if story, but it is so much more than that, really an exploration of what it means to be a woman, and the many roles we fulfill. And what can happen when one is denied them. Very good read.