What do you think?
Rate this book
Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!
An android who knows nothing besides his work in a factory, is given one final week to explore the world before he is forced to undergo mandatory reprogramming, in this bittersweet precursor to TJ Klune’s 'In the Lives of Puppets,' now available in trade paperback!
32 pages, ebook
First published June 12, 2024
6 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Klune
66 books59.4k followersTJ KLUNE is a Lambda Literary Award-winning author (Into This River I Drown) and an ex-claims examiner for an insurance company. His novels include The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Extraordinaries. Being queer himself, TJ believes it's important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive, queer representation in stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
June 20, 2024
In a Nutshell: A bittersweet story filled with human emotions even though the central character is an android. This short story is a precursor to Klune’s ‘In the Lives of Puppets’. Much recommended to short fiction lovers, even if you haven’t read the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Nothing can match the joy of reading a well-written story, long or short. And this, my friends, is an extremely well-written short story.
‘Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!’ is the precursor to TJ Klune’s ‘In the Lives of Puppets’. However, the story works perfectly as a standalone, and you won’t get any spoilers about the novel if you get to this first. (That said, if you still haven’t read the book, please do so!)
Anything I reveal about the plot will spoil the magic of first-hand reading. So better to read this 32-page short story for yourself and experience its beauty. The start of the story is a bit slow, but stick with it, because the journey gets poignant as it proceeds. The ending is bittersweet but perfect.
It is so strange that this tale gives rise to such a variety of emotions, even though the main character is devoid of human sentiments. You can’t help but root for Douglas. You share his thrill and heartbreaks as he progresses through that final week, though Douglas himself doesn’t feel anything. Or does he?
This is my first time actually *reading* TJ Klune. (I had read ‘In the Lives of Puppets’ through the audio version.) He seems to have a fondness for short sentences. I am not usually a fan of such staccato writing, but it works excellently for the story, probably because the third person voice is that of a robot. As is usual with this author’s works, the story is LGBTQIA+-friendly.
Strongly recommended to every short fiction lover. If you haven’t yet read a TJ Klune, this would be a great way of sampling his writing. And if you are already a fan, you definitely ought not miss this marvellous gem.
4.75 stars.
This story made its first appearance in the trade paperback edition of ‘In the Lives of Puppets’. However, as it is also available on the Reactor Magazine site (earlier called Tor.com), you can read it free online using the below link:
https://reactormag.com/reduce-reuse-r...
The audio version of this story is narrated by Daniel Henning, and trust me, had I access to the audio version, I’d have definitely chosen to hear this tale because Henning is outstanding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
After almost a decade of service in a factory, “Douglas”, an android, is given a week of mandatory vacation in the world before he has to return and be reprogrammed. What happens during this week?
Nothing can match the joy of reading a well-written story, long or short. And this, my friends, is an extremely well-written short story.
‘Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!’ is the precursor to TJ Klune’s ‘In the Lives of Puppets’. However, the story works perfectly as a standalone, and you won’t get any spoilers about the novel if you get to this first. (That said, if you still haven’t read the book, please do so!)
Anything I reveal about the plot will spoil the magic of first-hand reading. So better to read this 32-page short story for yourself and experience its beauty. The start of the story is a bit slow, but stick with it, because the journey gets poignant as it proceeds. The ending is bittersweet but perfect.
It is so strange that this tale gives rise to such a variety of emotions, even though the main character is devoid of human sentiments. You can’t help but root for Douglas. You share his thrill and heartbreaks as he progresses through that final week, though Douglas himself doesn’t feel anything. Or does he?
This is my first time actually *reading* TJ Klune. (I had read ‘In the Lives of Puppets’ through the audio version.) He seems to have a fondness for short sentences. I am not usually a fan of such staccato writing, but it works excellently for the story, probably because the third person voice is that of a robot. As is usual with this author’s works, the story is LGBTQIA+-friendly.
Strongly recommended to every short fiction lover. If you haven’t yet read a TJ Klune, this would be a great way of sampling his writing. And if you are already a fan, you definitely ought not miss this marvellous gem.
4.75 stars.
This story made its first appearance in the trade paperback edition of ‘In the Lives of Puppets’. However, as it is also available on the Reactor Magazine site (earlier called Tor.com), you can read it free online using the below link:
https://reactormag.com/reduce-reuse-r...
The audio version of this story is narrated by Daniel Henning, and trust me, had I access to the audio version, I’d have definitely chosen to hear this tale because Henning is outstanding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
June 19, 2024
All he wants is a forever home. Despite being small, his story packs a powerful punch. In just a few pages, TJ Klune manages to convey so much emotion and depth. You'll find yourself rooting for this little Android, hoping he finds the perfect place where he belongs.
The story is short, sweet, and incredibly moving. It’s perfect for kids and adults alike, reminding us all of the importance of love, belonging, and the simple joys of finding a place to call home.
The story is short, sweet, and incredibly moving. It’s perfect for kids and adults alike, reminding us all of the importance of love, belonging, and the simple joys of finding a place to call home.
July 5, 2024
5★
“ ‘Douglas—‘ And then he stops, looks up at the men above them, the men who are always watching. The men who are always whispering. His forehead grows cavernous lines. He says, ‘P-23. Will you come with me?’
‘Yes,’ Douglas says, because of course he will, and also because the Supervisor called him Douglas.”
Oh how I wish this precursor to Klune’s In the Lives of Puppets had been included in the digital copy I read and reviewed a few months ago. I’m glad I’ve read it now. They are separate stories but have the same bittersweet appeal.
P-23, Douglas, is being given a leave-pass to visit “the apartment” and have a one-week holiday.
“ ‘On your last day, you will return promptly to the factory at nine in the morning. If you do not arrive on or before this time, you will be considered a runner, and—'
‘Why would I run?’ Douglas asks. ‘Where would I go?’
‘Good. Douglas, this is an important opportunity for you.’’”
All I can say is that I hope all future androids will be like Douglas and that future humans will be as generous and welcoming as Jesse, Simon, and the others. Also, that René Descartes continues to be read.
You can read the story here:
https://reactormag.com/reduce-reuse-r...
“ ‘Douglas—‘ And then he stops, looks up at the men above them, the men who are always watching. The men who are always whispering. His forehead grows cavernous lines. He says, ‘P-23. Will you come with me?’
‘Yes,’ Douglas says, because of course he will, and also because the Supervisor called him Douglas.”
Oh how I wish this precursor to Klune’s In the Lives of Puppets had been included in the digital copy I read and reviewed a few months ago. I’m glad I’ve read it now. They are separate stories but have the same bittersweet appeal.
P-23, Douglas, is being given a leave-pass to visit “the apartment” and have a one-week holiday.
“ ‘On your last day, you will return promptly to the factory at nine in the morning. If you do not arrive on or before this time, you will be considered a runner, and—'
‘Why would I run?’ Douglas asks. ‘Where would I go?’
‘Good. Douglas, this is an important opportunity for you.’’”
All I can say is that I hope all future androids will be like Douglas and that future humans will be as generous and welcoming as Jesse, Simon, and the others. Also, that René Descartes continues to be read.
You can read the story here:
https://reactormag.com/reduce-reuse-r...
June 29, 2024
Thank you Rosh for your review which made me aware of this short story (and the link to read it for free!) I have read and enjoyed several of this author's books and enjoyed them all but none as much as this little gem.
In this story we meet Douglas who is an android, working in a factory, about to complete his ten years of service prior to being wiped and reused. His reward for the ten years is a week of leisure in society and he manages to do a lot in those seven days.
There is much to think about concerning all the events of this precious week and the ending is extremely interesting. Douglas is a very likeable character and as I read I really wanted a future for him although I could not imagine how that could be. A delightful little read.
In this story we meet Douglas who is an android, working in a factory, about to complete his ten years of service prior to being wiped and reused. His reward for the ten years is a week of leisure in society and he manages to do a lot in those seven days.
There is much to think about concerning all the events of this precious week and the ending is extremely interesting. Douglas is a very likeable character and as I read I really wanted a future for him although I could not imagine how that could be. A delightful little read.
August 16, 2024
“Please, oh please let me find where I’m supposed to be!”
AIN’T THAT THE TRUTH
Leave it to the greedy powerful men upstairs to burst this bot’s bubble.
Every decade, that is.
Maybe it’s just me, but by the end of this story I felt that maybe Douglas was never a bot in the first place.
Maybe Douglas was really a human and those power-hungry corporate world blokes broke him down so much that they brainwashed him into thinking he was just a lonely, empty, lifeless robot and his sole purpose was to just, in the words of Rihanna, “work work work work work” his life away.
Hmm. Left me with lots to think about!
5 stars definitely read this!
AIN’T THAT THE TRUTH
Leave it to the greedy powerful men upstairs to burst this bot’s bubble.
Every decade, that is.
Maybe it’s just me, but by the end of this story I felt that maybe Douglas was never a bot in the first place.
Maybe Douglas was really a human and those power-hungry corporate world blokes broke him down so much that they brainwashed him into thinking he was just a lonely, empty, lifeless robot and his sole purpose was to just, in the words of Rihanna, “work work work work work” his life away.
Hmm. Left me with lots to think about!
5 stars definitely read this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2024
2.5 stars
This review is a postcard from Outlier Island. 🌴🍹📮
Short review for busy readers: It's free, it's heart warming, it has a high GR rating and it's gay lit. I didn't like it too much, but you might.
Link to free copy at the online sci-fi mag Reactor: https://reactormag.com/reduce-reuse-r...
in detail
I got semi-hoodwinked into reading this short story by my GR friend Rosh's glowing 5-star review and her leaving a link to Reactor with a high recommendation.
Unfortunately, the story is...um...heartwarming. And I just don't do heartwarming. Or tropes. Or wonky writing. And this story combines all 3 (IMHO). But I do do gay, so I took the bait.
Basically we have the very typical gay lit story of how a person realises they are different through being painfully rejected by mainstream society, only to find acceptance, solace and freedom in the loving embrace of the queer community.
Except here, that person is a robot.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm totally supportive of sexual diversity in robots. But the robot/sci-fi element in this story is so trope-y, so standard, so done-to-death, that all it does is tie the much-chewed-over question of AI "personhood" and individuality to non-CIS queer people.
This is the story's entire concept (My idea of what the author was thinking, not a quote from the story):
"See, gay people aren't really accepted by society or have equal rights and that's kind of like AI, right? Because we don't know what kind of rights they'll be able to have and a lot of people are frightened of it like they're frightened of gay people, so like, AI and gay people have a lot in common, yeah? So here they're put together in the same character. So like, gay and AI, because same."
There is virtually no world-building in this sci-fi society -- the story takes place in a vacuum -- and the very basic narration style is, I suppose attempting to copy the short, direct sentences the author assumes a robot would speak in, but comes off as not-terribly-well translated Japanese.
Just based on the literary merit of the story, I'd rate it a 1 star. But it's a decent enough gay lit piece and if I'm looking at it only from that perspective, then an extra 2 stars. Works out to an average 2.5 stars.
This review is a postcard from Outlier Island. 🌴🍹📮
Short review for busy readers: It's free, it's heart warming, it has a high GR rating and it's gay lit. I didn't like it too much, but you might.
Link to free copy at the online sci-fi mag Reactor: https://reactormag.com/reduce-reuse-r...
in detail
I got semi-hoodwinked into reading this short story by my GR friend Rosh's glowing 5-star review and her leaving a link to Reactor with a high recommendation.
Unfortunately, the story is...um...heartwarming. And I just don't do heartwarming. Or tropes. Or wonky writing. And this story combines all 3 (IMHO). But I do do gay, so I took the bait.
Basically we have the very typical gay lit story of how a person realises they are different through being painfully rejected by mainstream society, only to find acceptance, solace and freedom in the loving embrace of the queer community.
Except here, that person is a robot.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm totally supportive of sexual diversity in robots. But the robot/sci-fi element in this story is so trope-y, so standard, so done-to-death, that all it does is tie the much-chewed-over question of AI "personhood" and individuality to non-CIS queer people.
This is the story's entire concept (My idea of what the author was thinking, not a quote from the story):
"See, gay people aren't really accepted by society or have equal rights and that's kind of like AI, right? Because we don't know what kind of rights they'll be able to have and a lot of people are frightened of it like they're frightened of gay people, so like, AI and gay people have a lot in common, yeah? So here they're put together in the same character. So like, gay and AI, because same."
There is virtually no world-building in this sci-fi society -- the story takes place in a vacuum -- and the very basic narration style is, I suppose attempting to copy the short, direct sentences the author assumes a robot would speak in, but comes off as not-terribly-well translated Japanese.
Just based on the literary merit of the story, I'd rate it a 1 star. But it's a decent enough gay lit piece and if I'm looking at it only from that perspective, then an extra 2 stars. Works out to an average 2.5 stars.
July 25, 2024
A factory working robot is given one week to explore the world before he has to submit himself for reprogramming. Bittersweet and awesome, as Klune can do so well.
July 1, 2024
TJ Klune's books are my kryptonite.
Only T.J. Klune can make a thirty two page short story so D A N G emotional and impactful. I loved that this story was all about everyone deserving to live life freely no matter who they are deep in their core.
I appreciated Douglas's story. I appreciated that we got to see the world through a "machines" point of view in a world that is ruled by humans who treat them differently. Douglas is a character that I adore because, even though he experiences hate and bullying from people around him, he appreciates the beauty of the world. I have to share a quote that really stuck with me from this lil story..."Why do you like being alive? I like birds and the way light changes shape. I like music and Oz and walking. I like films and sitting down. I like the way people smile. I like leaves and the sound my shoes make on the concrete."... His mindset is so beautiful. This character who gets beat down when he only has seven days to experience full freedom and he still finds beauty in the life that surrounds him.
Of course, I fell in love with every single character in this book. Douglas will forever have a special place in my heart but Jessie is the MVP of this entire universe. I love him deeply for opening little Douglas's world to all the beautiful things life has to offer like friendship, connection and love.
The theme of time is a big part of this story. I took the message that life is too short to hate. Be kind. Appreciate beauty. Love deeply. Explore the world. Live life fully.
⚙️ In the World of "In the Lives of Puppets"
⚙️ Acceptance
⚙️ Being Kind
⚙️ Drag Show
⚙️ Trans Rep
⚙️ Freedom
⚙️ Power & Control
⚙️ Friendship
⚙️ Emotional
Only T.J. Klune can make a thirty two page short story so D A N G emotional and impactful. I loved that this story was all about everyone deserving to live life freely no matter who they are deep in their core.
I appreciated Douglas's story. I appreciated that we got to see the world through a "machines" point of view in a world that is ruled by humans who treat them differently. Douglas is a character that I adore because, even though he experiences hate and bullying from people around him, he appreciates the beauty of the world. I have to share a quote that really stuck with me from this lil story..."Why do you like being alive? I like birds and the way light changes shape. I like music and Oz and walking. I like films and sitting down. I like the way people smile. I like leaves and the sound my shoes make on the concrete."... His mindset is so beautiful. This character who gets beat down when he only has seven days to experience full freedom and he still finds beauty in the life that surrounds him.
Of course, I fell in love with every single character in this book. Douglas will forever have a special place in my heart but Jessie is the MVP of this entire universe. I love him deeply for opening little Douglas's world to all the beautiful things life has to offer like friendship, connection and love.
The theme of time is a big part of this story. I took the message that life is too short to hate. Be kind. Appreciate beauty. Love deeply. Explore the world. Live life fully.
⚙️ In the World of "In the Lives of Puppets"
⚙️ Acceptance
⚙️ Being Kind
⚙️ Drag Show
⚙️ Trans Rep
⚙️ Freedom
⚙️ Power & Control
⚙️ Friendship
⚙️ Emotional
December 3, 2024
Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! is short and packs a punch. I highly recommend, unless you don't like feeling emotions.
July 11, 2024
I adored The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door and In the Lives of Puppets, so couldn't wait to listen this audible short original but unfortunately this felt like just another version of a story I've already read a few times. Please don't let my review influence your decision though as everyone else is loving it.
The Story: An android who knows nothing besides his work in a factory, is given one final week to explore the world before he is forced to undergo mandatory reprogramming.
The Story: An android who knows nothing besides his work in a factory, is given one final week to explore the world before he is forced to undergo mandatory reprogramming.
January 26, 2025
A story this short shouldn't be able to make me feel as emotional as this one did! Brilliantly crafted, free to read and the perfect way to spend an hour.
June 20, 2024
• “Connect, little boy. Connect until you shatter.” •
⏳⚙️⌛
Douglas wünscht sich mehr Zeit, um die echte Menschenwelt jenseits seiner Fabrik zu entdecken, nur ein kleines bisschen mehr Zeit - "Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!" hat es trotz seiner geringen Seitenzahl in sich. Dass unser Hauptcharakter ausgerechnet in der LGBTQ+-Community Anschluss findet, als ihn der Rest der Gesellschaft wegen seines Anders-Seins meidet, ist nicht nur herzerwärmend, sondern regt auch zum Nachdenken an. Auch die verschiedenen Analogien zwischen Douglas und Dorothy aus "Der Zauberer von Oz" sind bittersüß gemacht und geben Douglas' Schicksal eine besonders persönliche Note.
Im Gegensatz zu "In the Lives of Puppets", das ich vor allem hinsichtlich seines halbgaren "Humors" als überzeichnet empfand, hat diese Kurzgeschichte für mich wieder einmal alles Gute von Klunes Büchern in sich vereint.
⏳⚙️⌛
Douglas wünscht sich mehr Zeit, um die echte Menschenwelt jenseits seiner Fabrik zu entdecken, nur ein kleines bisschen mehr Zeit - "Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!" hat es trotz seiner geringen Seitenzahl in sich. Dass unser Hauptcharakter ausgerechnet in der LGBTQ+-Community Anschluss findet, als ihn der Rest der Gesellschaft wegen seines Anders-Seins meidet, ist nicht nur herzerwärmend, sondern regt auch zum Nachdenken an. Auch die verschiedenen Analogien zwischen Douglas und Dorothy aus "Der Zauberer von Oz" sind bittersüß gemacht und geben Douglas' Schicksal eine besonders persönliche Note.
Im Gegensatz zu "In the Lives of Puppets", das ich vor allem hinsichtlich seines halbgaren "Humors" als überzeichnet empfand, hat diese Kurzgeschichte für mich wieder einmal alles Gute von Klunes Büchern in sich vereint.
April 24, 2025
Literally how did I become emotionally attached to an android in 32 pages 🥺 3.5/5 stars
July 15, 2024
Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! is a short story by T.J.Klune. After nine years and fifty-one weeks working at the factory, Android P-23, sometimes called Douglas by the Supervisor, is due for his week. He’s given a pass, directed to a sparsely furnished apartment and, under some strict conditions, allowed to mix with humans and explore the world. Then he has to return for reprogramming. But after he has read all the books in the apartment numerous times, he comes across a hidden book by Descartes, and fixates on “I think, therefore….” He encounters a group of people with whom he connects, but staying in their world is out of the question, isn’t it? He’s just an android. Thought-provoking.
May 6, 2025
This novella was at the end of my copy of In the Lives of Puppets.
I really enjoyed reading it, especially coming straight (ahem) from Puppets. This was a lot more emotional for me than the book and I think that it explores the themes of this universe better than Puppets does mainly because of the difference in tone (cf my review for Puppets).
I think that this could be enjoyed by people who have not read Puppets but there is an added layer when you know what happens next in their universe.
I really enjoyed reading it, especially coming straight (ahem) from Puppets. This was a lot more emotional for me than the book and I think that it explores the themes of this universe better than Puppets does mainly because of the difference in tone (cf my review for Puppets).
I think that this could be enjoyed by people who have not read Puppets but there is an added layer when you know what happens next in their universe.
March 1, 2025
T.J. Klune you can’t keep getting away with this.
May 25, 2025
None of my audiobooks wanted to cooperate on my flight, happy this one wanted to!! Very similar vibes to Monk & Robot. Fantastic narration performance!
I loved this part…👇🏼
Why do you like being alive?
I like birds, & the way light can change shape. I like music & OZ & walking. I like films & sitting down. I like the way people smile. I like leaves, & the sounds my shoes make on concrete!
Don’t you want that forever?
Forever is a long time, how can I appreciate it if I always have it for a long time?
I loved this part…👇🏼
Why do you like being alive?
I like birds, & the way light can change shape. I like music & OZ & walking. I like films & sitting down. I like the way people smile. I like leaves, & the sounds my shoes make on concrete!
Don’t you want that forever?
Forever is a long time, how can I appreciate it if I always have it for a long time?
July 14, 2024
Short but bittersweet and impactful, would absolutely love TJK to create an assortment of short stories about this world.
April 3, 2025
4.5/5
Why can it not be my world? Isn't it for anyone who wants to live in it?
Why can it not be my world? Isn't it for anyone who wants to live in it?
Read
July 14, 2024link to free story online: https://reactormag.com/reduce-reuse-r...
January 1, 2025
For such a short story, it impacted hard.
Tasting 1 week of life for 9 years and 51 weeks of hard work opens the eyes of one android, and things will never be the same again!
Tasting 1 week of life for 9 years and 51 weeks of hard work opens the eyes of one android, and things will never be the same again!
September 29, 2024
A precursor short story to In the Lives of Puppets that I’m reviewing not because I’m trying to cheat my book goals but because 1) it was an excellent, thought provoking, heart pulling piece and 2) I don’t want anyone reading the book to miss this at the end
November 10, 2024
I enjoyed this story a lot about being alive even if are a robot. It was in the back of the paperback copy of In the Lives of Puppets
February 21, 2025
Definitely gotta read In The Lives of Puppets after this 🥹🫶🏼
June 19, 2024
I would love to be a fly on the wall to observe TJ Klune’s writing process. It’s got to be so fascinating. This short story manages to hit all the feels. It looks to take place in the same universe as In The Lives of Puppets, where androids are created to serve humans and work without any real purpose.
Douglas has worked in the factory for nine years and 51 weeks. It’s time for him to effectively be retired. At this point, he gets one week in the world to explore before he is recycled. All around him, he sees posters with the words Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! written on them. it’s the mantra in the factory.
While in the real world, Douglas is exposed to certain sites, smells, and sounds that he’s never experienced before. In addition, he comes across a group of humans who treat him respectfully. This is where the story gets real.
TJ Klune’s ability to evoke such strong feelings for inanimate objects and creatures throughout his stories has become a powerful force in his work. I have felt love and affection for a vacuum cleaner. I have had anger towards a dragon. A pack of wolf shifters have left me breathless (and a little turned on), and I have cried over the son of Satan. This time is no different. I shouted out loud in anguish for the plight of an android.
Much of the reason the feelings are so intense comes from the narration by the incomparable Daniel Henning. His characterizations are superb and he brings the story to the next level.
Douglas has worked in the factory for nine years and 51 weeks. It’s time for him to effectively be retired. At this point, he gets one week in the world to explore before he is recycled. All around him, he sees posters with the words Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! written on them. it’s the mantra in the factory.
While in the real world, Douglas is exposed to certain sites, smells, and sounds that he’s never experienced before. In addition, he comes across a group of humans who treat him respectfully. This is where the story gets real.
TJ Klune’s ability to evoke such strong feelings for inanimate objects and creatures throughout his stories has become a powerful force in his work. I have felt love and affection for a vacuum cleaner. I have had anger towards a dragon. A pack of wolf shifters have left me breathless (and a little turned on), and I have cried over the son of Satan. This time is no different. I shouted out loud in anguish for the plight of an android.
Much of the reason the feelings are so intense comes from the narration by the incomparable Daniel Henning. His characterizations are superb and he brings the story to the next level.
September 26, 2024
Hmm, all right, but, dear author, have you thought about your readers' hearts for a second?
I was glad to see that this audiobook was available on Scribd as I loved every book I listened to by this author and this narrator. But I wasn't ready for this.
I loved how this novella broached singularity,
I'll keep reading/listening to both the author and the narrator!
I was glad to see that this audiobook was available on Scribd as I loved every book I listened to by this author and this narrator. But I wasn't ready for this.
I loved how this novella broached singularity,
I'll keep reading/listening to both the author and the narrator!
June 18, 2024
I knew very quickly into the audiobook that TJ Klune was going to make me emotional as he always does. What I didn’t know is that in under an hour, he’d make me fall in love with Douglas, a weird little android, and ugly sob. This quick story about friendship and what it means to be human is going to stay with me for a long time. The story can be read for free from Reactor Magazine but I highly recommend the audiobook.
Android mc, queer rep
Forever is a long time. How can I appreciate it if I always have it for the rest of time?
Android mc, queer rep
Forever is a long time. How can I appreciate it if I always have it for the rest of time?
August 30, 2024
This short story was found in the back of my copy of In the Lives of Puppets, and despite not caring for that book, I kept with it expecting this to focus on Rambo (the cheerful Roomba).
I was totally wrong, but not disappointed to find a bite-sized Never Let Me Go for androids.
I was totally wrong, but not disappointed to find a bite-sized Never Let Me Go for androids.
April 12, 2025
This is actually a short story, but it has a powerful tale to relate. Factory worker Douglas is treated to a week away to do whatever he wants to after working for a straight 9 years and 51 weeks.
It cannot be a spoiler to reveal that Douglas (aka P-23) is a robot who will soon be decomissioned.
After all, the title gives that away and this IS T.J. Klune speaking. What happens in that week is at the crux if this fascinating story.
It cannot be a spoiler to reveal that Douglas (aka P-23) is a robot who will soon be decomissioned.
After all, the title gives that away and this IS T.J. Klune speaking. What happens in that week is at the crux if this fascinating story.
December 25, 2024
I picked this up because I enjoyed the author's other works and the narrator.
I found this just kinda ok. I definitely liked other stories better. This was part of a series and I hadn't read the other book, so that might be part of the issue I had with it.
I can't recommend it but I don't discourage anyone from reading it.
I found this just kinda ok. I definitely liked other stories better. This was part of a series and I hadn't read the other book, so that might be part of the issue I had with it.
I can't recommend it but I don't discourage anyone from reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews