A Crazy AI Experience

The Family Experiment by John Marrs is one of the most horrifying, realistic books I have ever read. This book is a new edition to the Library Learning Commons and I would highly recommend it. This is a fiction, dystopian, mystery novel, but I would classify it as more of a thriller. Content warnings include: self-harm, addiction, child death and suicide attempt. If these topics trigger you I would recommend staying away from this book, but these are not the main subjects of the book. Initially the story starts off a little bit slow, but once some secrets are revealed I was absolutely enthralled by the plot. Overall, I would rate this book a 4 out of 5. 

Throughout the novel we are following ten couples and one single dad who have signed themselves up to be contestants in a reality TV show where they receive an AI baby. These are all contestants who are financially unable to support a child in the “real world”, so they have entered this competition in hopes of winning $250 000. If they win they also have the choice to either keep their AI baby or try and have a child in the “real world.” They are expected to raise the baby in a condensed nine month period where the baby will grow from newborn to 18 years old. Although the baby is AI, each contestant is able to put on a V.R. headset and hazmat suits where they are able to touch their child as if it were real. After the nine month period a winner will be chosen based on the remaining contestants, but each family has a secret and none of them are afraid to lie about it. 

There wasn't anything in particular I disliked about this book, but it does take place in the UK and it was written by an author from the UK, so the language is a little bit different. I loved the short chapters and I believe most people will be able to connect with at least one of the contestants. It is a very fast paced novel that jumps in POVs, which really keeps you hooked. Each couple, or single dad, has a mysterious past and new hints are dropped every few chapters. Not only are the chapters short there are also pictures throughout the book of chats from viewers of the show and excerpts from news outlets. 

I am quite familiar with the dystopian and thriller genre, but I have never read a book I thought could become our reality. This book really goes to show how scary AI can be. I could see myself re-reading it and recommending it to others despite the scariness of it. I think in general if you enjoy books in the dystopian or thriller genre you could definitely, thoroughly enjoy this book. I would refer back to the content warnings, but as I mentioned they are not the main focus of the book. The short chapters combined with the thrill of each twist and turn made it very easy to read fifty or more pages in one sitting. If you are trying to get out of a reading slump this could be the book for you. As I mentioned this book is a brand new edition to the LLC, so if this summary interests you I highly recommend reading it. Happy reading!