The Surrogates
March 4th, 2009
Author: Robert Venditti
Reviewer: Louise
It’s 2054, and humanity has perfected the art of building life-like humanoid robots. Known as “surrogates”, it’s now possible to purchase a new robotic body and, with the help of a data feed, use it to carry out everyday life without a person’s real body ever having to leave their home.
Naturally, however, several radical groups oppose this development, preaching a return to “living life, rather than experiencing it”. When a techno-terrorist starts destroying surrogate bodies, will the Metro Police Department manage to catch him before society breaks down?
The Surrogates is very much a gripping read, and really delves into the different aspects of this new technology; should children be allowed surrogate bodies? If prejudice exists against, for example, women doing certain jobs, is it more effective for them to simply buy themselves a male-body “surrogate” and portray themselves as male, rather than trying to overcome anti-female prejudice? Fortunately, the ongoing mystery plot, featuring a cop who himself is not sure about whether surrogates are really such a good idea, stops the story from getting too bogged down. The ending, to me, felt a little muddled, but overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions Inc. (30 Aug 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1891830872
(First published 14/12/2007.)