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beccaj2180's review against another edition
4.0
I wish there was an easier way to talk about this book other than saying, "Well, so, this girl falls in love with this robot, right?" I really tried to explain it to my boss, but she just laughed and mocked me for reading a book about a robot in the first place. But Sarah, this isn't just any robot. This is a sentient robot - sort of.
And really, the story is more about her, the girl, manipulative, selfish and way too horny - Cat.
I have to agree that some of the romance between Cat and Finn felt disturbing, not that I couldn't see someone getting confused and tangled up in something like that given their situation. Still...
All of that said, I really did love this book, and as I said in my updates, I was actually crying over my coffee and cinnamon roll thingy at McDonald's this morning - glancing around awkwardly, hoping the hot manager didn't see me. And the story bugged me all the way through work until I finally picked up a different book and read that.
I have to agree with most of the others that reviewed this book that the story isn't so much about politics as it is about love, though it definitely touches on all that is controversial about love these days. I don't really know how we'll cope if there were actually robots like that someday. Thankfully, I won't have to be around for that debate.
Anyway, I really need someone else to read this so we can TALK about it. This story is really driving me nuts - especially now that I've had time to really mull it over. I will seriously buy you a copy if you'll read it. Just let me know.
And really, the story is more about her, the girl, manipulative, selfish and way too horny - Cat.
I have to agree that some of the romance between Cat and Finn felt disturbing, not that I couldn't see someone getting confused and tangled up in something like that given their situation. Still...
All of that said, I really did love this book, and as I said in my updates, I was actually crying over my coffee and cinnamon roll thingy at McDonald's this morning - glancing around awkwardly, hoping the hot manager didn't see me. And the story bugged me all the way through work until I finally picked up a different book and read that.
I have to agree with most of the others that reviewed this book that the story isn't so much about politics as it is about love, though it definitely touches on all that is controversial about love these days. I don't really know how we'll cope if there were actually robots like that someday. Thankfully, I won't have to be around for that debate.
Spoiler
I never liked Richard (and yes, I know I wasn't supposed to), but I don't think Cat should have kept his son a secret from him. That bugged me. He had the right to know about his son no matter what he did to her. Don't misunderstand and think I'm saying what he did doesn't matter, because God knows that I would throw that guy in prison, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he had the right to at least know about his son. But I'm not trying to start any kind of discussion here. I just needed to get that out.Anyway, I really need someone else to read this so we can TALK about it. This story is really driving me nuts - especially now that I've had time to really mull it over. I will seriously buy you a copy if you'll read it. Just let me know.
doomslugreads's review against another edition
3.0
Too much romance, not enough world building and robots. Would have enjoyed more if there’d been more on the political side of the sentience issues. But overall good writing and an engaging read.
linclair's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rena219's review against another edition
2.0
This book was an interesting read. Like it dragged on a little but it still kept me kinda engaged. My main quarrel with this book was the ending with Cat and Finn. I can't believe Cat pulled some Konami code crap and suddenly Finn forgives her for treating him horribly the entire book. I had to draw the line there. If that was in the middle of the book I would have dropped it.
shalini_gunnasan's review against another edition
2.0
I really disliked the main character. A lot of what she did as an adult who should know better does not sit well with me. She calls herself damaged but at the end even she realized that it's just chronic selfishness. This is not a science fiction story, it's really a romance story with a robot as the patient and kind love interest.
I did like Finn however, and the fact is this story would have been tons better if it focused on him instead, and his shackled self awareness, the fight for robot independence taking place around him, his thoughts on his own self awareness. I liked the part where the author specified that Finn doesn't see himself as human, but a sapient being just the same. That is a better perspective to explore, not idiot women and their self preoccupations.
I did like Finn however, and the fact is this story would have been tons better if it focused on him instead, and his shackled self awareness, the fight for robot independence taking place around him, his thoughts on his own self awareness. I liked the part where the author specified that Finn doesn't see himself as human, but a sapient being just the same. That is a better perspective to explore, not idiot women and their self preoccupations.
deannne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
northwestbooksies's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
whatsmacksaid's review against another edition
3.0
Three and a half stars. While I enjoyed the first half, the story's second half picked up noticeably. I found myself thinking of Jeffery Eugenides' work several times while reading--there was a lot of upper-middle class stuff happening, like the drive to live a "normal" life and emotionally neglectful parents. The main character's mother objects to her philosophy degree, and during/after college the main character goes to work a slightly shameful job where she dresses up and flirts with the men she sells hand-rolled cigarettes to. She marries a serial entrepreneur and spends her days in the bored haze of a trophy wife.
Overall, though, I enjoyed the story. I liked Cat's journey to redemption, and I liked watching her become her own person. It wasn't necessarily my ideal cup of tea, but The Mad Scientist's Daughter was well-written and moving.
Overall, though, I enjoyed the story. I liked Cat's journey to redemption, and I liked watching her become her own person. It wasn't necessarily my ideal cup of tea, but The Mad Scientist's Daughter was well-written and moving.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
5.0
One evening Cat’s father brings Finn home. He is to be her tutor. But Finn is no normal tutor; he is a robot, and not just any robot but a billion dollar prototype; one of a kind. To Cat, he is her friend. Her father tells her Finn’s kindness is a program but as she grows, so do her feelings for him. In a world where robots have helped humankind return from the brink of destruction, they struggle to be accepted. Is her father right? And if so what future can they have?
This book is just stunning; a beautiful story about the nature of love and the sentience of artificial intelligence. It’s a very intimate tale following Cat from her childhood through to adult via marriage and grief. The politics of the robot situation sits perfectly in the background, enough to fuel the plot but not so much that you need to be interested in robots to enjoy the storytelling. Cassandra’s prose is wonderfully descriptive and paints a vivid picture of Cat’s world. From the cottage that feels like an enchanting escape from the hostile world to the sterile environment of the glass house.
Cat’s a multi-faceted character and one you won’t always like. Home-schooled and isolated in childhood she can be a bit self-absorbed and has moments of selfishness. She takes far too much for granted but there is a prevailing sense of loneliness and your heart will break repeatedly for both her and Finn. She is a brilliant example of a flawed character that you can fall in love with. I cried bucket-loads and their story stayed with me long after the last page.
This book is just stunning; a beautiful story about the nature of love and the sentience of artificial intelligence. It’s a very intimate tale following Cat from her childhood through to adult via marriage and grief. The politics of the robot situation sits perfectly in the background, enough to fuel the plot but not so much that you need to be interested in robots to enjoy the storytelling. Cassandra’s prose is wonderfully descriptive and paints a vivid picture of Cat’s world. From the cottage that feels like an enchanting escape from the hostile world to the sterile environment of the glass house.
Cat’s a multi-faceted character and one you won’t always like. Home-schooled and isolated in childhood she can be a bit self-absorbed and has moments of selfishness. She takes far too much for granted but there is a prevailing sense of loneliness and your heart will break repeatedly for both her and Finn. She is a brilliant example of a flawed character that you can fall in love with. I cried bucket-loads and their story stayed with me long after the last page.