Machines Like Me

by Ian McEwan
Machines Like Me cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 3145
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780525567035
  • Publisher: Anchor
  • Published: 2020-03-03
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Set in a world where Alan Turing has achieved a breakthrough in artificial intelligence, Machines Like Me follows Charlie, a man who buys Adam, one of the first synthetic humans. With the help of his lover, Miranda, Charlie codesigns Adam's personality, leading to a complex love triangle. The novel explores themes of love, identity, and the ethical implications of creating beings beyond our control. Ian McEwan's gripping narrative challenges readers to consider what it truly means to be human in a world where technology blurs the lines between man and machine.

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 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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