The Family Experiment

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

pick

I really enjoyed this one. My hubby and I frequently talk about AI and we watch like “robots gone bad” type movies so it was definitely my type of movie. (I'm always super polite to my Alexa- just in case)
#DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks I really enjoyed The One by this author; it's a book I still think about over a year later. I have The Passengers and this one waiting to be read!! 3w

ElizaMarie @TheAromaofBooks i really like him. Audible has The Vacation on their (free) borrow stuff. But I might end up getting the One- this book referenced being genetically marched to your soul mate 3w

TheAromaofBooks I think The One, The Family Experiment, and maybe The Passengers are all set in the same world, even though I don't think they have interconnected characters. 3w

23 likes3 comments

DogMomIrene

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

pick

#LitsySciFiBookClub pick was quite the page turner. Marrs takes his near future world and pushes it into the MetaVerse. The secrets and lies surrounding these 6 different family contestants paint a bleak future, especially if we don‘t regulate AI.

47 likes

TheSpineView

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

Discussions are now open for November's #LitsySciFiBookClub selection. I have presented a few questions to get us started. However, feel free to talk about anything.

@Larkken @Deblovestoread @bnp @Johanna414 @BookmarkTavern @julesG @BookBelle84 @Readergrrl @CSeydel @Roary47 @Lizpixie @Ruthiella @PaperbackPirate @PageShifter

TheSpineView @kwmg40 @majkia @Bookwomble @wanderinglynn @MerlinTheSlightlyAwkward @Klou @RamsFan1963 @BookwormAHN @LeticiaToraci @CatLass007 @AmandaBlaze @psalva @Karisimo 1mo

TheSpineView @rretzler @Lauredhel @CaroPi @DuckOfDoom @The_Literary_Jedi @MaleficentBookDragon @Lesliereadsalot @Light_of_Aether @DogMomIrene @bookwyrm7 1mo

DogMomIrene 1. Ugh. I think it mimics aspects of social media quite well. The popularity contests. Instant gratification. Judging others to feel superior. I don‘t watch reality TV so I can‘t speak to that. But so much of SM is just based on outrage. 1mo

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DogMomIrene 2. I like having lots of characters and seeing how their plots cross cross. The last character reveal was satisfying for me. I wondered what had happened to that character, if everything really went down as presented by Hudson. I‘m a fan of chapters rotating through the cast. It definitely builds suspense that I like. That being said, glad the cast wasn‘t as large as a GRR Martin book. 1mo

DogMomIrene 3. How we train AI is already problematic. And unscrupulous people being able to use AI to create deep fake images/videos just depresses and terrifies me. 1mo

The_Literary_Jedi 1. Totally mimics social media. Fake lives, invasive need of others, superiority complexes, instant gratification…all of it. Rage bait. 1mo

The_Literary_Jedi 2. I HATED every single one of these characters! They were all bad to a one! And the way they were revealed piece by piece was spectacular. I honestly didn‘t think I was going to like this book but it‘s a solid 📚📚📚📚📚 5/5 for me (edited) 1mo

Ruthiella 1. I haven‘t watched reality tv in about 15 years and I steer clear of most social media platforms (Litsy excepted), but yeah, it rang true for me. The mean spiritedness of it all, the schadenfreude. 1mo

Ruthiella 2. I liked the large cast of characters. It helped give the reader a good idea of the world and society displayed in the book.
3. Gosh, so many! Manipulating people for entertainment, rampant capitalism with no social net, pretty much the western world now, just turned up to eleven. 1mo

The_Literary_Jedi 3. Woo, AI. I‘m currently teaching my English classes how to use it ethically since most of them simply plug and play. There‘s many variables to AI use and so far we‘ve seen the same exploitation we see with any new tech. Once Human augmentation begins, then “fit will really hit the shan.” 1mo

AmandaBlaze 1. I think Marrs did a great job with depicting reality shows. The ruthless planning, infighting, the constant looking for an edge. 1mo

AmandaBlaze 2. I think having the large cast of characters helped the storyline. The eventually comeuppance of the characters was excellent in my opinion. 1mo

AmandaBlaze 3. I agree AI is a hot topic right now. I also think the human trafficking storyline is important as well. 1mo

kwmg40 I wasn't able to get to this book in November but will keep it on my TBR for later. It sounds like a worthwhile read. 1mo

CatLass007 1. I have never watched a single episode of a “reality” TV show. I‘ve walked through the room when someone was watching such a show but the minute or two that I witnessed was more than enough. I don‘t watch any of the talent competitions either, although I have watched a couple of episodes of Masked Singer with friends and that too was more than enough. I‘ve sworn off Facebook, which is the only social media platform I ever really used, (cont)⬇️ (edited) 1mo

CatLass007 with the exception of Litsy, of course. On Litsy, we have civil discourse. I don‘t think that can be said of any other social media platform. 2. The large cast of characters was helpful in giving us a broad sense of what society in this possible near future has to offer, as well as what it doesn‘t. 3. So far, I‘m not impressed by what AI and VR can do, but that doesn‘t mean the thought of what they could do doesn‘t give me cause for concern. 1mo

44 likes16 comments

Bookwomble

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

bailed

#LitsySciFiBookClub
I don't particularly like reality TV shows, so I guess I'm not the right reader for a book about a reality TV show.
I appreciate that this is a critique of the genre, of consumerism, the increasing monetisation of all aspects of life, the intrusion of governments and private companies into personal spaces, and the intensification of the Society of the Spectacle, but 81 pages is enough for me to know I don't need this object ⬇️

Bookwomble ... lesson: I already deplore Marrs's targets.
It's definitely a "me not you" issue, and I wouldn't discourage anyone else from reading this if the concept appeals. I'm sorry that my Bail rating will negatively affect its Litsy approval score ? 1mo

dabbe #hailthebail! #betterbooksahead 🙌🏻 1mo

BarbaraBB Interesting! I will read this one soon too and am curious to see where I‘ll end up! 1mo

Bookwomble @BarbaraBB I see you liked his earlier novel, The Marriage Act, and this book is set in the same world so I'd guess you'll enjoy this one, too 😊 1mo

37 likes4 comments

Bookwomble

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

In a dystopian Britain under late-stage capitalism, where childcare costs can be over £20,000 per child per year, many people can no longer afford to have children, and those unable to fulfil their wish for parenthood are driven to desperation and despair.
So, to distract myself from that, I thought I'd read this book, the #LitsySciFiBookClub November pick.

37 likes

DogMomIrene

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

😊Thanks for tagging me @Sace and @Ddzmini

1. Spots
2. The tagged book is my current library read

#Two4Tuesday
@TheSpineView

Haven‘t been reading fiction, though. Too much time spent doom reading about cabinet appointees. Need to turn that around today.

TheSpineView Awesome! Thanks for playing! 2mo

Sace I‘m just reading to escape. Checking the news makes me way too anxious. 2mo

DogMomIrene @Sace The news makes me so anxious too. I‘m actually just back from a dog walk, so I‘m settling in for a good dose of fiction. 2mo

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MemoirsForMe I‘ve been avoiding the news. It‘s good self-care! 2mo

DogMomIrene @MemoirsForMe I need to carve out “no news” times as self care! I‘m a news junkie married to a news junkie so we don‘t do each other any favors☹️ 2mo

MemoirsForMe I guess you could just take a 4-year sabbatical. 🫣 2mo

Ddzmini That‘s awesome let me know how you like the tagged book 👍🏼📚 2mo

DogMomIrene @Ddzmini I just put Marrs on hold because another library book came available on Libby. I decided to prioritize the Libby book to see if that kicks my reading butt back into gear. I really want to see where Marrs takes the family experiment so I‘m hoping to pick it back up in a few days. 1mo

Ddzmini @DogMomIrene Marrs(?) is that a book or application? Let me know … also it‘s great that you are a Libby user I love that app 1mo

DogMomIrene @Ddzmini Marrs is the author of the tagged book, which I typed in because I‘m always aware of my # of characters here. And yes, Libby is great. I love how the Libby widget on my phone reminds me how many days I have left for the loaded book. Super helpful. 1mo

Ddzmini @DogMomIrene ok idk how I missed that 🤣🤣🤣 1mo

DogMomIrene @Ddzmini 😂😂😂 I do stuff like that all the time. I blame menopause. 1mo

Ddzmini @DogMomIrene so true 1mo

44 likes13 comments

DogMomIrene

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

#WeekendReads

Starting The Family Experiment for the #LitsySciFiBookClub and to keep the dystopias rolling.

CBee Ooo, I can‘t wait to read The Family Experiment 👍🏻 2mo

DogMomIrene @CBee I didn‘t realize it‘s in the same near future as The One and The Marriage Act. May need to read The One after this one. 2mo

CBee @DogMomIrene oh, The One is fantastic! 2mo

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DogMomIrene @CBee That‘s what I‘ve heard. I‘ve intentionally avoided the series so I can thoroughly enjoy the book📕♥️ 2mo

CBee @DogMomIrene I watched the series! The book was better but still enjoyed it a lot 👍🏻 2mo

DogMomIrene @CBee Excellent! Just another reason for me to get reading! 2mo

51 likes6 comments

TheSpineView

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

The votes are in, and the selection for November's #LSFBC #LitsySciFiBookClub is The Family Experiment by John Marrs. I read the blurb and it sounds interesting. Most of the reviews are favorable. I am looking forward to this book.

My library has both the ebook and the audio version. I looked on Amazon and the US price for the ebook is $14.99.
@Larkken @Deblovestoread @bnp @Johanna414 @BookmarkTavern @julesG @sebrittainclark @BookBelle84

TheSpineView @Readergrrl @CSeydel @Roary47 @Lizpixie @AmandaBlaze @psalva @Karisimo @rretzler @Lauredhel @CaroPi @DuckOfDoom @Ruthiella @PaperbackPirate @PageShifter @kwmg40 @majkia @Bookwomble @wanderinglynn 2mo

TheSpineView @MerlinTheSlightlyAwkward @Klou @RamsFan1963 @BookwormAHN @LeticiaToraci @CatLass007 @The_Literary_Jedi @MaleficentBookDragon @Lesliereadsalot @wordslinger42 @Light_of_Aether @DogMomIrene 2mo

CatLass007 Thanks for all you do!🖤🧡🖤 2mo

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TheSpineView @CatLass007 YW!! 2mo

Ruthiella Looks great. Thank you! 2mo

DogMomIrene Thank you for organizing! Looking forward to this one. 2mo

TheSpineView @Ruthiella @DogMomIrene You're welcome! 2mo

julesG Thanks!! 2mo

TheSpineView @julesG 🤩📖🥰 2mo

sebrittainclark @TheSpineVIew could you remove me from the tag list? I'm not able to keep up right now. 2mo

TheSpineView @sebrittainclark Sure thing. 2mo

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Kristy_K

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

pick

What a twisted, addicting novel. My first by John Marrs but definitely not my last. Marrs took two things I actively avoid (AI and reality TV) and made a compelling novel that starts out innocuous enough but grows in depth and darkness.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#arc #scifi

48 likes2 stack adds

Mpcacher

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

pick

This book is set in the same near future world as “The One“, “The Passengers“ and “The Marriage Act“. In this a reality show has people who want to be parents raising virtual children in the metaverse, competing to win an IVF procedure. It was cleverly plotted with some great twists. As with the others, it was a thought provoking cautionary tale and I really enjoyed it. Marrs never lets me down. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 4.5/5!

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BookMaven9

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

pick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️once again my go to author doesn‘t disappoint. Weaving social issues into his once again The One universe, this time with families hits all the right page turning spots

15 likes

Pearrr

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

July 2024 Wrap Up
• The Family Experiment ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• The Blacktongue Thief ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Yours Truly ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• A Court of Thorns and Roses ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• Middle of the Night ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

7 likes

candc320

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

pick

This audiobook was amazing! With a combination of story and mixed media we see a future where people can try raising a child from newborn to 18 in a matter of months virtually and see how this effects their lives for good and bad. It‘s surprising and more twisty than I was expecting and I loved the mix of sci-fi and thriller. Highly recommended! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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AmandaBlaze

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

pick

John Marrs' writing captivates me. He writes about social issues in a speculative sci-fi setting. From terrorism and driverless cars to this novel about MetaChildren and human trafficking, his insight into his characters' motivations is always top notch. 5 stars
#ReadAway2024 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
#LitsyLoveReads @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life @TieDyeDude

DieAReader 🥳Fantastic! 5mo

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great review! Stacked! 5mo

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ArniesMom

The Family Experiment: A Novel | John Marrs

pick

What a ride!!! This isn‘t my typical genre, but I enjoyed this (scarily realistic) novel! #thefamilyexperiment #johnmarrs

1 like

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