HUM by Helen Phillips

5 stars

In a compelling near future world of both high-tech robot AI’s and devastating climate change, May Webb, a beleaguered Mom who has lost her job to AI, decides to undergo an experimental face alteration surgery to get for money her family. The surgery is designed to evade all facial recognition software a camera infused world, where often your face is used both for identity and to conduct transactions. The surgery is performed by an AI robot, which shares a collective consciousness with all the other AI robots in this Earth. They have all been designed to present a soothing “hum” personality to all humans they interact with. Meanwhile, the hum robots keep getting more sophisticated, and arguably more human, in the process both supplanting humans in their jobs as well as developing the capacity for empathic relationships.

May’s husband Jem, working endless odd jobs to earn a living, is thrown off by her new face, her young son is fantasy and animal obsessed, and her daughter is constantly anxious about the levels of pollution and bad air quality. May decides to splurge with her surgery cash and purchases a three-day getaway to a pristine forest and botanical garden enclosed within the city. The idyllic escape, which reminds May of her childhood, starkly counters the harsh environs of the outside world. Aiming to bring her family closer together, the family faces fracture when their two kids find their way and get lost in the slums outside of the garden and May faces charges of irresponsibility.

Most striking of all in this high-tech world is the profound depth of technology dependence: all children wear wrist computers called “Bunnies” that entertain them while tracking all they do.  Both parents and kids retreat to self-enclosed womb-like tech chairs where they can experience anything they want in a full surround sound, virtual reality immersion. So much so that May and Jem seldom spend anytime sleeping together in their bed.

The novel presents a strikingly and believable bleak future, but also proves deeply heart-warming in the enduring strength of family relationships in the face of adversity and the emerging potential for AI-human empathic relations. The book ends with you craving more about this world.

Thanks to Simon Element, S & S and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.