Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Uncanny Valley: A Memoir

Author was in Silicon Valley during its heyday and she takes an interesting look at the darker side of the tech industry, although nothing in the book truly shocked me.

The book could be slow at times and I lost my focus, especially in the second half, but that’s pretty standard for me when reading most nonfiction. As someone who has worked for start ups, I could relate to a lot of her experiences with the toxic culture, imposter syndrome, and lack of work-life balance!

Wiener had some interesting critiques but I wish she would’ve delved deeper, especially about the issues of privacy violations and sexism in tech. It felt kind of glossed over and nothing substantial was said.

I didn’t enjoy how she alluded to other companies using vague descriptions instead of just naming them. I felt proud when I correctly identified the companies but for someone who constantly mentioned how tech isolates outsiders, she reinforced that isolation with that style choice. But who knows, it could’ve been a legal thing which I’d understand.

The way the synopsis is written I was expecting shocking things but since I’ve worked in tech/at start ups and my husband is in tech, I knew a lot of this stuff already. I’d recommend for anyone unfamiliar with the inside world of the tech industry and wants to learn more!

Summarizing the book in one sentence I’d say: A story of white men and their audacity 😂

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chilivanilli28's review

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funny informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

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foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition

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challenging informative slow-paced

4.5

I was looking for stories. I should’ve seen a system.

Following author Anna Wiener as she transitions from the publishing world of NYC to the sheen of the tech world in Silicon Valley, I found this book relatable. I’ve been the author, I’ve been that person with an Arts degree transitioning into a data world. I know people like the ones she described in the book. The feeling of being surrounded by popular cringey motifs, appreciating the optimism but being disconnected and out of place, because that wasn’t actually me, what I believed. Especially seeing those problematic elements and trying to discuss them with people who were essentially brick walls of staunch belief in the sole and constant power of tech. This book captures the zeitgeist of the early to mid 2010s expertly and I definitely will be reading Wiener’s future works.

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peachani's review against another edition

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medium-paced

2.5

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