Be Charmed by These Bewitching Books from 2025
IvanOpinion asked this question about Machines like Me:
For those who have read this, did you think there was much point in creating the alternative 1982?
Cavak You can gain some insight to McEwan's creative choices in this interview: https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/20...

As for what I personally think, I pr…moreYou can gain some insight to McEwan's creative choices in this interview: https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/20...

As for what I personally think, I pretty much agree that the novel is wish fulfillment in certain respects. Yet it's more along the lines of an old-school Star Trek episode for me: playful imagination and current social commentary rolled into one.

Plus, McEwan's choice to rewrite something that has already passed over something currently in progress (Brexit) prevents Machines Like Me from being overly dated. Unlike the woefully spiteful remarks towards the "unknown" Soviet Union in the introduction for Hammer's Slammers.

The alternate setting keeps it grounded enough to not detract from the main points and parallels he hopes to highlight. It's a society that is already somewhat familiar to us. I don't think a far-flung future (even one like Star Trek) would've been as effective for that concept.(less)
flag
More questions about Machines like Me…
Image for Machines like Me
Machines like Me
by Ian McEwan (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more