In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

[anarresa]

In the Lives of Puppets
by T.J. Klune
3 stars

I'm not sure if this started as a re-telling of Pinocchio that went very far afield, or if the outline of an original novel reminded Klune of the classic and he leaned too far in. Something felt off, and since the novel was too long I'm blaming the adaptation additions. Though even without those details the plot was a bit thin.
The book was saved by the characters. They were made better by the narration of Daniel Henning, but their personalities, relationships and humorous interactions would still be great in text. Anxious little roomba Rambo, sassy and sadistic Nurse R.A.T.C.H.E.D, kindly old inventor Gio, their sweet and smart human Vic, and newly arrived tall, dark and brooding HAP. I enjoyed spending time with them even if their adventures were a bit predictable or drawn out.

[NancyJ]

I didn’t love this book while I was reading it, but it led to a good book club discussion. I appreciate the themes more now than I did then.

I found it weird that there were so many robot prostitutes in the book, or robot customers. (There were supposedly no humans left.) Touch is one of the biggest challenges when designing robots, and it’s essential to sex. Why would they program robots to need sex, even if they could? Humans might design robots to be like people, but I think robots would find it illogical.