A review by librarianryan
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

 

You know, how some books just stay with you for a while.  This is one of those books.  It is a cross between Pinocchio and Steven Spielberg’s AI, but with a happy ending and a ton of heart.  Hap is the last living boy.  The world has been taken over by robots.  He survives out in the woods with his father Gio, with no knowledge that he is fully unique.  Upon accidently alerting the AI overlords that he is alive, dangerous adventure begins to find humanity within the metal and wires of artificial life.  

 

This is my first TJ Klune book.  I see why his stories are beloved.  This was engrossing.  And I didn’t mind when I had to listen to section repeatedly because I missed something.  Sometimes I listened to them again because they made me laugh.  There is tongue in cheek comedy like the vacuum that is named Rambo (probably a Rumba from our time), and the nursing box named Ms. Ratchet.  This book is just fun.  But it also makes you think.  Both at AI and what could happen, and at what it means to be human, especially when there are no other humans around to learn from. 

 

I loved this book.  I have many others by this author in my collection that I look forward to reading.  I know he is considered controversial to some, and I understand and respect those feelings.