Does technology benefit deep meaningful relationships, or does it strip us of that intimacy? How do we find a positive balance? In these short stories, the reader examines layers of technological advancement possibilities and the effect on family, relationships, and life’s purpose. Will technology replace parenting? Or, has that process already began? In the future, will we need an active physical military to go abroad for tours or will gamers connected to drones suffice? Should we be able to choose our emotions and our memories? Will making connections with friends depend on access to apps and immersive reality?
Universal Love is comprised of eleven short stories. Out of the eleven short stories, I found three that were very strong and completely original. The technology that had conquered the near future was believable and, in some cases, very close to situations that occur today. The themes were easy to relate to, but the characters felt out of reach. In most of the stories, it was hard to connect and invest in the characters. Two of stories that I did not enjoy at all, and one I enjoyed but did not like the ending. The rest I enjoyed.
Short stories: “The Year of Nostalgia” 1-15% (holographic replacements), “Beijing” 15-23% (patching memories), “Comfort Porn” 23-36% (friendships vs. virtual friends), “We Only Wanted Their Happiness” 36-39% (technology replaces family time), “Purple Heart” 39-50% (virtual tech for war), “True Love Testimonials” 50%-55%- (sex app), “Childhood” 55-65% (robot children), “Sanctuary” 65-71% (future border crisis), “Infinite Realities” 71-83% (multiverse), “Mountain Song” 83-90% (thought control), “Islanders” 90-100% (flooded world)
*There are explicit sexual situations and sexual language used in a couple of these stories. *
Thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Alexander Weinstein for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.