Title: Crosstalk
Author: Connie Willis
Genre: Science Fiction
Publication Date: 2016
Number of Pages: 498
Geographical Setting: California
Time Period: the not-too-distant future
Series (If applicable): n/a
Plot Summary: In the future, couples wishing to be more in-sync with their partners can opt to have an operation to implant a device called an EED into their brain. This allows them to sense the emotions of their partner, so they know how the other is feeling. Briddey Flannigan and her boyfriend Trent elect to have the EED operation. However, it turns out that Briddey connects to someone else, and not only can she sense that person’s emotions, but she now has the power of telepathy and can speak to this other man with her mind. Additionally, Briddey discovers that she can hear the thoughts of everyone around her, including her well-meaning but very pushy Irish-American family. This mad-cap science fiction adventure story follows Briddey as she learns to navigate her newfound powers of communication.
Subject Headings: Science Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Telepathy, Irish Families
Appeal: Thought-provoking, Sardonic, Intricately plotted
3 terms that best describe this book: Fast-paced, attention-grabbing, quirky cast of characters
3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors: (titles link to goodreads pages):
The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena by Diane Hennacy Powell. Explores scientific concepts and brain research dealing with the possibilities of telepathy and psychic connections.
The future of the mind: the scientific quest to understand, enhance, and empower the mind by Michio Kaku. Explores the human brain and the possibilities that might exist in the future for tapping its full potential.
Extra sensory: the science and pseudoscience of telepathy and other powers of the mind by Brian Clegg. Scientist Clegg discusses the research done to-date on ESP, and explores the possibilities from a scientific research standpoint.
3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:
Followers by Megan Angelo. Similar to Crosstalk, this story deals with relying on social media and technology too much, only to have unintended consequences for the heroine.
The Circle by Dave Eggers. A giant internet company monitors and tracks everything that people do in the near future. The main character is similar to Briddey in Crosstalk in that she quickly discovers that more connectedness is not always better.
Nexus by Ramez Naan. Thanks to an experimental drug, people in the future can now communicate telepathically. This book explores the dangers of this ability.
Sara,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so interesting! The whole implant and using devices to improve relationships is kind of giving me Black Mirror vibes, but this seems much more light hearted than that. Your summary is really great and has definitely peaked my interest. Great job!
Hi Darla,
DeleteThanks for your comment. I have to admit, I had no idea what Black Mirror was. I just had to google it to see what you were referencing :) After reading a little bit about it, I'd would definitely agree with the fact that Crosstalk is more lighthearted. It's more of a romantic comedy taking place in a science fiction world, if that makes sense.
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds absolutely hellish, I feel like I'd go positively bananas if I was hearing or sensing so many different voices and feelings. I can barely handle my own! But wow, what a premise! It is definitely within the realm of "cool." I agree with Darla when she said the story gave off "Black Mirror" vibes. Very on-brand. I don't know if I would read it, just out of fear of the secondhand stress, but you did a fabulous job with your annotation!
Hi Tess,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I know what you mean about all those voices being too much. There were parts in the book when Briddey was hearing the voices of everyone within a certain radius. She was in a theater for a play and was hearing 200 people at the same time. Um, no thank you! It was interesting in the story because she learned that she couldn't hear voices when other people were sleeping, so her favorite time of the day was 3:00 am because it was the quietest.
Hi Sara!
ReplyDeleteI will be adding this to my TBR pile! And I agree with Darla - very Black Mirror-ish. I usually steer fairly far from Sci-Fi because it tends to become very heavy, very quickly. I think you nailed the read alike suggestion of The Circle - I read that years ago and it also gave me Black Mirror vibes.
Sara,
ReplyDeleteScience Fiction that deals with the psychological aspect of humanity and pushes the boundaries of that aspect is my favorite theme in the genre. I have not read the title but will be bookmarking it for the future as the concept of unintended side-effects from odd scientific experiments or devices is intriguing; almost has a super hero origins feel to it. The closest story, which is actually a movie, I have come across with this concept is What Women Want starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) plays a chauvinistic advertising executive who has been skipped for a promotion he thought he deserved by a new hire, Darcy McGuire(Helen Hunt) in order to create advertising that appeal to women and no longer just men. In a fit of frustration and rage, Nick electrocutes himself in his bathtub with a hair dryer and passes out, alive. When he wakes, he soon discovers that he can hear the innermost thought of all females, including dogs. He soon begins to take this to his advantage but later begins to have remorse and wants this gift gone so that Darcy can love him for who he is. It's a cute romantic comedy and you should give it a shot if you haven't already.
I've never heard of this book but I am super intrigued. What a fun (and terrifying) concept. Great write up - full points!
ReplyDelete