John Marrs

*pitches Kindle into the fire* Did the Daily Mail write this tosh? I was getting dizzy from leaping between so many soapboxes. And if the driverless cars had actually ganged together to kill not only the flimsy characters but also the whole of humanity, I would have been cheering them on, but instead of the twist I was actually hoping for (‘Car, do as I fucking tell you!’ he yelled in frustration. After a pause, the OS responded. ‘No'), the 'plot' is just another 'pick me, Hollywood!' there's-a-bomb-on-the-bus disgruntled loser pitting technology against social media. And dear lord in heaven, pregnancy and motherhood are not superpowers; if I had taken a shot for every variation of 'but she's having a baaaaaaby' or 'but they have children', I would need a new liver.

Finally, on a nitpicking note, it's fertile imagination, not furtive.… (mehr)

Synopsis: Britain has created a marriage upgrade called the Marriage Act. If couples choose this upgrade their relationship will be monitored and there will be interventions including therapy and, in extreme cases, mandatory divorce, for couples who aren't getting along. There are perks for those who upgrade such as better housing and cars.
The book follows various individuals and couples effected by the Act.

My Rating:
3 of 5 Stars

I had expected this book to primarily focus on how the marriage act effected couples. While we get glimpses of that throughout the book that isn't at the center of the story. This book is largely about the corruption in the government that is connected with the Act.

This book has very firm ideas about it's stance on the Act and the reader isn't given a well-rounded view of the pros and cons that come from this Act beyond the superficial things such as wealth.

There are several stories and plots we are following in this book and as such I didn't think any of them got more than glimpses. I never felt connected to any characters though I did worry about the fate of a few of them.

I think this book is a cool look at what happens when government overreach happens and when personal surveillance impedes on liberty. It also looks shows the dangers of letting the government have to much say in such personal things as marriage.

While I thought there were many really interesting and valuable conversations I just didn't love it and I think that was mostly due to an abundance of characters and the inability to deeply connect with any individual.… (mehr)