Humans spend so much time and money trying not to age, but to me it seems very peaceful. So much energy – literally and in several engineered ways – goes into keeping a human body taut, flat, hard, elastic. Youth is a rigid, snappable existence, at risk of breakage and damage from any angle. Ageing to me seems to be the same movement as exhalation.
Page 54
In a nutshell
In a crumbling near-future, robots known as Personal Companion Computers (PCCs) are on the verge of autonomy. Abigail is a meticulously crafted replica of David’s late wife, who was created in part to look after David into humanity’s final days. As the date of the new law looms closer, she begins to grapple with the freedom she will gain. What follows is a emotional journey as Abigail explores identity, desire, ageing, and the murky intersections between programmed purpose and self-expression.
Book Club Notes
Some Body Like Me started off really strong with Abigail’s fascinating voice. It felt both profound and compelling. But, as the book moved into Part Two, it began to unravel for me. The delicate introspective prose gave way to a crudeness that I found empty, and in places hard to stomach. Despite this jarring shift, I can’t dismiss the good qualities this book possesses. Lapinska created characters I felt visceral about – I always admire the strength of a writer who can do this. It is written clearly and thoughtfully, is easy to follow and delivers powerful insights about life, AI, and ageing.
Read If
You’re captivated by AI-driven character studies, speculative reflections on identity and ageing, and can handle disturbing characters.
Rating
Writing – 7/10
Character Development – 6/10
Plot Twist – 8/10
Shareability – 4/10
The Nitty Gritty
Published by: Gollancz, distributed by Jonathon Ball
Genre: Fiction, Psychological, Sci-FI
ISBN: 978-1-3996-2303-2
Pages: 371
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A note on our book ratings
Storyline: How good is the storyline? Is it believable and complex or does it make you shake your head in its ridiculousness?
Writing: How well written is the book? Do you find yourself wowed by the writing or unimpressed?
Character Development: Do the characters evolve and grow through the book and are they multi-dimensional?
Plot Twist: Were you able to predict the end, or did the author give you some surprises along the way to keep you on your toes?
Shareability: How likely are you to share the book?
