Interpretation by Dylan Callens

Interpretation by Dylan Callens

My Rating: ★★★

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Carl Winston lives in a seemingly perfect world. He's got a great life, a job he likes, and a son that he absolutely adores. The only downside is that his wife died in a car accident, leaving him as a single father. One day, Carl has some kind of meltdown and his surroundings dramatically change. He barely recognizes his own son before he fades into darkness amid what he things is a mental breakdown.

Instead of watching mankind and artificial intelligence clash with each other, Callens picks up long after AI takes over. We see the thought process and messages going between the different head AI entities, as well as flashbacks to how they plotted their takeover, but this entire world is set long after they've been in charge with no one to hold them accountable. These entities have created the perfect world. Food? Check. Water? Check. Fighting? Check. They've done it all. But what is beneath this perfect world? Is it really as it seems? The entities can only inspect data rather than see the world around them.

I love the opening of the novel because it's clear that there is something wrong. Carl is living the best life one can have, but what is really happening? Then one day he sees everything as it truly is. The world is filthy because everyone things they have futuristic items that clean for them. Carl is shocked to discover that everything is filthy down to the towel he uses to shower, which is covered in filth and mold. Everyone is unaware that they are not only hungry, but also emaciated. The Entities are out of control and performing tests after seemingly solving all of humanities problems.

Despite being completely shocked, Carl is actually somewhat happy. He's thinking on his own for the first time and has made a few friends... or did he? There's a question behind everything and it's rather interesting to read and see what happens to the small group of characters we follow throughout the book. Overall, the concept as given me something to think about. I would definitely read this again.