Little Eyes

by Samanta Schweblin
Little Eyes cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Literary Fiction
Technical
  • ID: 4001
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9780525541387
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2020-05-05
  • Reviews: 3

Samanta Schweblin's 'Little Eyes' delves into a world where small, mysterious devices allow people to connect across the globe, creating intimate yet anonymous relationships. These devices, present in homes and lives worldwide, raise questions about trust, privacy, and the boundaries of human connection. The novel has been longlisted for the 2020 Man Booker International Prize and named a Best Book of the Year by numerous publications, highlighting its visionary and unsettling exploration of our interconnected present. The story unfolds as characters from different corners of the world form unexpected bonds through these devices, leading to both beautiful encounters and chilling consequences. Schweblin's narrative is a prophecy of our time, reflecting the familiar yet unsettling reality of our increasingly linked world. This dark and complex tale is both sensible and recognizable, making it impossible to forget once entered.

Reviews
NPR · Hector Tobar · 2020-05-09
timely 4.00

The novel is a brisk survey of 21st-century life, seen through the lens of a plausible consumer fad. The story's exploration of surveillance and technology is both timely and unsettling.

Hector Tobar from NPR reviews Little Eyes as a brisk survey of 21st-century life, seen through the lens of a plausible consumer fad. He appreciates how the novel explores the implications of surveillance and technology in a way that feels both timely and unsettling. Tobar highlights the book's ability to capture the essence of modern life, where technology and human behavior intersect in complex ways. He also notes that the story's exploration of the consequences of virtual presence is particularly compelling, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the darker aspects of our digital age.

Quick quotes

    "In her new novel, Samanta Schweblin gives everyone in the world a little critter that's watching and reporting back."

    "The story's exploration of surveillance and technology is both timely and unsettling."

    "The novel captures the essence of modern life, where technology and human behavior intersect in complex ways."

The Guardian · Claire Armitstead · 2020-04-25
chilling 4.00

The novel is a chilling exploration of technology's impact on human relationships, blending dystopian themes with a sense of inevitability. The fragmented narrative effectively captures the unsettling nature of virtual presence.

Claire Armitstead from The Guardian delves into the unsettling world of Little Eyes, highlighting how Samanta Schweblin masterfully uses a fragmented narrative to explore the chilling implications of technology on human connections. The novel's dystopian undertones are particularly effective, making the story feel both timely and inevitable. Armitstead appreciates the way Schweblin blends different perspectives to create a sense of unease that lingers long after the last page. She also notes how the book's exploration of virtual presence and surveillance resonates strongly in today's digital age, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and human behavior.

Quick quotes

    "If an individual could be virtually inserted into the life of another, what would the consequences be?"

    "The novel's fragmented narrative effectively captures the unsettling nature of virtual presence."

    "Schweblin's exploration of technology's impact on human relationships is both chilling and thought-provoking."

Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2020-04-07
thought-provoking 4.50

The romance between two users who meet as kentukis is particularly engaging, showcasing the novel's ability to blend emotional depth with technological themes. The story's exploration of love and connection in a digital world is both poignant and thought-provoking.

Tony from Tony's Reading List highlights the emotional depth of Little Eyes, particularly the romance between two users who meet as kentukis. This relationship is a standout element of the novel, showcasing Schweblin's ability to blend emotional depth with technological themes. Tony appreciates how the story explores love and connection in a digital world, making it both poignant and thought-provoking. He also notes that the novel's exploration of internet culture and the conflict between observing and displaying one's life publicly adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.

Quick quotes

    "One I particularly enjoyed was a romance between two users who meet as kentukis on the other side of the world and fall in love."

    "The story's exploration of love and connection in a digital world is both poignant and thought-provoking."

    "The novel's exploration of internet culture and the conflict between observing and displaying one's life publicly adds another layer of complexity to the narrative."

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