Machines Like Me

by Ian McEwan
Machines Like Me cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 3145
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2026-01-06
  • ISBN: 9780385545112
  • Publisher: National Geographic Books
  • Published: 2019-04-23
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan is a thought-provoking novel set in an alternative 1980s London, where technology has advanced to the point of creating synthetic humans. The story follows Charlie, a man drifting through life, who falls in love with Miranda, a student with a dark secret. When Charlie comes into money, he buys Adam, one of the first synthetic humans, and with Miranda's help, designs Adam's personality. The near-perfect human that emerges is beautiful, strong, and clever, leading to a love triangle and a profound moral dilemma that challenges the characters' understanding of humanity and love. The novel explores themes of love, morality, and the nature of humanity through the lens of advanced technology. McEwan's sharp intelligence and skillful storytelling make this a compelling read that asks whether a machine can understand the human heart or if we are the ones who lack understanding. The alternative 1980s London setting adds a unique backdrop to the story, enhancing the exploration of these timeless questions.

Reviews
Girl with Her Head in a Book · 2022-01-01
mixed 3.00

The reviewer loved the idea of the protagonist living a contented life but found the narrative confusing and overly complex. They appreciate some aspects but feel the execution could have been better.

Girl with Her Head in a Book's review expresses mixed feelings about Machines Like Me. The reviewer particularly enjoyed the idea of the protagonist living a contented life as an openly gay national hero, finding it refreshing and compelling. However, they found the overall narrative confusing and overly complex, which detracted from their enjoyment of the book. Despite these flaws, they appreciate the unique themes and ideas presented, noting that the novel has moments of brilliance but could have benefited from a clearer and more cohesive storyline.

Quick quotes

    I loved the idea of him living a contented life as an openly gay national hero.

    The novel's narrative otherwise felt confused and over-complicated.

    There are moments of brilliance, but the execution could have been better.

The London Magazine · 2022-01-01
thoughtful 3.50

The book is often misunderstood as less complex than McEwan's usual fare, but it effectively captures his intentions through its exploration of human nature and technology.

This review argues that early criticisms of Machines Like Me as being less complex than McEwan's other works miss the point. The reviewer believes the novel is a deliberate and effective exploration of McEwan's thematic interests. They appreciate how the book delves into the intricacies of human relationships and the ethical dilemmas posed by artificial intelligence. The reviewer finds the novel to be a thoughtful and nuanced addition to McEwan's body of work, highlighting his ability to tackle complex issues with simplicity and depth.

Quick quotes

    Early reviews argued the book was less complex than McEwan's usual fare. This is to misconstrue his intentions.

    McEwan's version seems merely casual, too lightly redemptive, too much a function of the novel's design.

    This is a novel about moral issues around artificial intelligence, not one that invites its reader to truly connect.

The Millions · 2019-05-08
heartbreaking 4.50

The reviewer finds the novel simple yet heartbreaking, focusing on essential themes and relationships. They appreciate the minimalist approach that distills McEwan's interests to their core.

The Millions' review praises Machines Like Me for its simplicity and emotional impact. The reviewer notes that the novel strips away unnecessary plot elements to focus on the essential themes and relationships, making it a deeply moving read. They highlight how McEwan's ability to distill his thematic interests down to the essentials creates a powerful and resonant story. The reviewer also appreciates the heartbreaking quality of the narrative, which adds emotional depth to the exploration of human and artificial relationships.

Quick quotes

    It is simple and heartbreaking, paring away almost all plot machinery.

    Distilling McEwan's thematic interests down to the essential: two people, their relationship, and the AI that complicates it.

    The novel's emotional core is its greatest strength.

The Guardian · 2019-04-11
thought-provoking 4.00

The book explores profound themes of consciousness and artificial intelligence, blending McEwan's signature style with a thought-provoking narrative. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the themes presented.

The Guardian's review highlights how Machines Like Me delves into the intricacies of human consciousness and the implications of artificial intelligence. The reviewer notes that McEwan's writing skillfully balances these heavy themes with an engaging narrative, making the book both intellectually stimulating and accessible. They particularly admire how the story touches on the role of chance in history and the ethical dilemmas posed by advanced AI, creating a rich tapestry of ideas that linger long after the last page.

Quick quotes

    The book touches on many themes: consciousness, the role of chance in history, artificial intelligence.

    McEwan's writing is both thought-provoking and deeply engaging.

    The novel manages to blend philosophical depth with a compelling story.

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