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REVIEW: Love and Other Human Errors - Bethany Clift

 


Genre: Contemporary Fiction | Science Fiction | Romance

Release Date: Expected 4th August 2022

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton


"A book synopsis is fundamentally ridiculous. How can I possibly convey, in only 100 words, the events of the past year and their impact on my perfectly ordered existence?

It is insufficient space to accurately detail how I was blackmailed into demonstrating my flawless algorithm to find a soulmate, despite having no desire for one.

In my former life I avoided trivial human connections. I was alone, accomplished and brilliant.

Unfortunately, that solitary and driven woman no longer exists.

My name is Indiana Dylan and this is the extraordinary account of how I fell in love.

There: 100 words exactly."

Love and Other Human Errors is not your average love story - we follow Indiana as she creates a new technology - TRU - that can scientifically match perfect universal soulmates despite the fact she finds romantic love rather useless, and the employees at JaneDoe technology who she reluctantly accepts as temporary colleagues while they get ready to change the world together. 

"That's the problem with love - it's not logical."

Science cannot explain some things - the like the beautiful complexity of the human condition, or the sheer absurdity of love, or why Clift always writes such brilliant stories. 

Immediately, we are transported to a not too distant future in a London that is familiar yet totally strange. The Uncanny Valley effect was in full force from the start, creating an indescribable atmosphere of mystery in an otherwise shiny and perfect place. Indiana is robotic, cold and clinical - keeping the reader at arms length but I couldn't help but find her undeniably endearing along with her amazing cohorts. 

Each character was flawlessly crafted - their motivations, their desires, their patterns were carved out quickly creating a deep understanding and kinship, or a deep loathing - sometimes both. 

Love and Other Human Errors is perfect, absurd chaos - it's clear the characters took the lead on this on and just went manic across the pages, trying to find ways to cope under the ever growing pressure on their shoulders and in their hearts and just hoping they don't fail. 

All the decadent delight of a romance, the sharp and dangerous speculation of science fiction and the unmatchable wit of Bethany Clift - this is the kind of book you will not be able to put down until you've devoured every last page.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review. 

CW: sex, swearing, death, references to cancer and other illnesses. 

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