The Family Experiment: A Gripping Dystopian Thriller Exploring the Dark Side of Digital Parenthood and the Quest for Human Connection (Dark Future, 3)
From the bestselling author of The One, the BookTok sensation now re-released with exclusive content in The One Expanded Edition, The Family Experiment is a dark and twisted speculative thriller set in the same universe as John Marrs's bestselling novel The One and The Marriage Act, about the ultimate "tamagotchi"--a virtual baby.
Some families are virtually perfect...
The world's population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. And in the UK, the breaking point has arrived. A growing number of people can no longer afford to start families, let alone raise them.
But for those desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. For a monthly subscription fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch who they can access via the metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this new initiative, the company behind Virtual Children has created a reality TV show called The Substitute. It will follow ten couples as they raise a virtual child from birth to the age of eighteen but in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their virtual child, or risk it all for the chance of a real baby...
Don't miss other suspenseful reads from John Marrs (you'll never see the twists coming!):
Some families are virtually perfect...
The world's population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. And in the UK, the breaking point has arrived. A growing number of people can no longer afford to start families, let alone raise them.
But for those desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. For a monthly subscription fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch who they can access via the metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this new initiative, the company behind Virtual Children has created a reality TV show called The Substitute. It will follow ten couples as they raise a virtual child from birth to the age of eighteen but in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their virtual child, or risk it all for the chance of a real baby...
Don't miss other suspenseful reads from John Marrs (you'll never see the twists coming!):
- The Marriage Act
- The Vacation
- The Family Experiment
- The One
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Community Reviews
In an overcrowded world that is outgrowing itself, people can no longer afford to have children. Amid this backdrop a new reality show is born. The Family Experiment offers competing childless Brits the opportunity to raise virtual children from birth to 18 years of age over a condensed nine-month period. At the end of the nine-month period, the public will vote for the winner of the "game show". The winner can keep their virtual child or have their child "eliminated" and take a cash reward to start their own family in the Real World.
This book explores people creating family in different ways and the ugly side of AI in a dystopian world. I can't say too much without giving away spoilers, but a dark side is revealed showing the underbelly of this AI world and simulated life that has been created. Some of the contestants are sincere in their desire for a child while others are less so.
I wasn't a fan of any of the characters other than Alice and sometimes Hudson. I found it difficult to keep track of the couples and the stories within the story, and equally difficult to follow dialogue with the off-putting formatting (or lack thereof) that lacked traditional punctuation. But it was an interesting concept and I enjoyed the ethical quandaries. However, the story can be a bit blah. The last 20% of the book was rather boring as it tied up the loose ends and explained the background through some flashbacks. It felt almost "technical" in the end. On a positive note, there are a lot of twists to keep you guessing! I found the book to be just "okay", but I seem to be in the minority on this one! It just felt sort of clunky. Overall a good read for anyone who likes a dystopian-type read that makes you question the precipice we teeter on with AI and with networks who see viewers as dollar signs.
(Rounded up from 3.5 stars)
Follow my reviews on Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World
This book explores people creating family in different ways and the ugly side of AI in a dystopian world. I can't say too much without giving away spoilers, but a dark side is revealed showing the underbelly of this AI world and simulated life that has been created. Some of the contestants are sincere in their desire for a child while others are less so.
I wasn't a fan of any of the characters other than Alice and sometimes Hudson. I found it difficult to keep track of the couples and the stories within the story, and equally difficult to follow dialogue with the off-putting formatting (or lack thereof) that lacked traditional punctuation. But it was an interesting concept and I enjoyed the ethical quandaries. However, the story can be a bit blah. The last 20% of the book was rather boring as it tied up the loose ends and explained the background through some flashbacks. It felt almost "technical" in the end. On a positive note, there are a lot of twists to keep you guessing! I found the book to be just "okay", but I seem to be in the minority on this one! It just felt sort of clunky. Overall a good read for anyone who likes a dystopian-type read that makes you question the precipice we teeter on with AI and with networks who see viewers as dollar signs.
(Rounded up from 3.5 stars)
Follow my reviews on Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World
I was really looking forward to this new John Marrs novel. I really enjoy his writing style, but this one fell flat for me. Unfortunately I had to DNF this book. I was more then half way through, and I felt bored. I think that someone that enjoys Podcast, interview type books, this one's for you. To me it felt overdone.
I will definitely be back to try another John Marrs book.
I will definitely be back to try another John Marrs book.
Based on some reviews I had mixed feelings going into this one. However, it's really good. If you can keep up with who is who, (I had a quick note reference until it clicked), it's a solid read. I enjoyed the way the author closes out each character, the way some stories connected. Not to mention all while set in a (honestly believable) futuristic world. Kept me entertained and engaged!
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