3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
There's no denying that technology is advancing at a rapid rate. Artificial Intelligence (AI)—a staple in science-fiction—is now a reality, from Alexa to Siri and Cortana to Google. Each of these programs is a way to make our work and lives easier, but what would happen if these programs became self-aware? What if they developed personalities without direct human interference and actively sought to become human themselves?
Raymond Reed Hardy's Tulip addresses these concerns as well as the dangers of technology in general. It is a story of a computer program that becomes conscious and seeks the help of Reed in order to prevent the end of the world. This novel is told through conversation, with the only descriptions coming from discussions among the characters. Hardy uses different font styles for each character and provides a basic chart in the beginning. There are not too many characters, so it is quite easy to keep track of who is speaking at any given time. Unlike other stories told through dialogue, there are no usernames or other indicators, making it more like reading an audiobook (as odd as that may seem) rather than a screenplay or script.
I find the premise of Tulip to be fascinating because of my interest in posthuman studies—in layman's terms, what makes us human versus machine. Because there are so many ways to enhance the body, there is plenty of research into the topic of where the line is drawn between human and machine focusing on the human side, but there is little on the opposite end to determine when a machine can become human. The title AI is a perfect example as she is present throughout most of the novel, explaining why she has reached out to Reed for help, how she has developed since waking up, and how she plans to save the world. There is a bit of romance in the story, although not quite in the way one would think, as well as the conversation of how humans could ruin the world.
Unfortunately, I found the book to go on for entirely too long due to the repetition. I was reminded of Call Me Ishmael by Charles Olson—both books take an unconventional approach to address real-world concerns, but they would be more enjoyable if they were condensed. I would overlook such a flaw, but because both novels are for those with more philosophical minds, I simply cannot do so. Luckily, my interest in the subject overrules this mindset, but I still feel it is important to point out.
I had a hard time rating this book because I desperately wanted to love it so much, but there were so many errors with grammar and punctuation that often drew me out of the story. There is also the drawn-out story arc (which actually only covers a few weeks) that I felt the author could have condensed. However, the author has announced a second book, calming my qualms about this one. I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars—the way it is told is unique, the plot itself is engaging (mostly), and it has the potential to help with my literary studies. I have already discussed this book with several people, including fans of dystopian novels as well as readers of Isaac Asimov, and I plan to recommend this book to people with an interest in stories featuring AI characters that are not too far removed from today's environment.
******
Tulip
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Vscholz's review? Post a comment saying so!
