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Auto Series #5
Backup
Being dead has moved with the times.
In 2022, everyone has an auto, a personal assistant which acts like a digital version of you. But what if your auto doesn’t get switched off after you die?
These unliving autos continue to interact with families and friends, comfort those left behind and keep their histories alive. They’re an online backup of an entire life.
When Janine Kinglake visits her parents’ graves, she expects them to be resting in peace. Not for her father’s auto to have such frightening plans for its own future…
'Backup' is a 10,000 word short story, part of the Auto series including 'Relationship Status', 'Timeline', 'Friend Request' and 'Copy'.
It was first published as part of the anthology 'A Splendid Salmagundi'.
In 2022, everyone has an auto, a personal assistant which acts like a digital version of you. But what if your auto doesn’t get switched off after you die?
These unliving autos continue to interact with families and friends, comfort those left behind and keep their histories alive. They’re an online backup of an entire life.
When Janine Kinglake visits her parents’ graves, she expects them to be resting in peace. Not for her father’s auto to have such frightening plans for its own future…
'Backup' is a 10,000 word short story, part of the Auto series including 'Relationship Status', 'Timeline', 'Friend Request' and 'Copy'.
It was first published as part of the anthology 'A Splendid Salmagundi'.
35 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
David Wailing
23 books59 followersI was born in Nineteen Davidey-Dave (all the best people were born that year) and live in London. I write contemporary fiction, a blend of mystery, thriller and humour.
My most recent novel is Under, a horror/mystery set on the London Underground. Both it and Signal Failure - a prelude short story available for free - are the result of a long-held fascination with the London Underground and its history.
As a native Londoner I have travelled on the Tube thousands of times, but it always feels like inhabiting a slightly different world to the city on the surface. The facts and figures of the Underground are just as fascinating as its mysteries and shadowy corners, and I hope my book does justice to both aspects.
I have five other novels available as Kindle ebooks: Auto, Auto 2, Bang, Duallists and Fake Kate.
My most recent novel is Under, a horror/mystery set on the London Underground. Both it and Signal Failure - a prelude short story available for free - are the result of a long-held fascination with the London Underground and its history.
As a native Londoner I have travelled on the Tube thousands of times, but it always feels like inhabiting a slightly different world to the city on the surface. The facts and figures of the Underground are just as fascinating as its mysteries and shadowy corners, and I hope my book does justice to both aspects.
I have five other novels available as Kindle ebooks: Auto, Auto 2, Bang, Duallists and Fake Kate.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 14, 2013
This is another story in the Auto series by David Wailing. He has created a not-too-distant future in which people allow their 'electronic assistants' - think smart phones with knobs on - to organise their lives, including their interpersonal relationships. If your auto isn't turned off when you die, it's still interacting with you, with others.
David Wailing's books are always cleverly written. He also has a skill in anticipating the way current trends could come to fruition. Strange fruit indeed! How would you feel if you could go to a parent's grave and feel you could share a conversation? Comforted? How about if you could enter a virtual room and meet your dead family and friends and take part in conversation they are having with other dead people? Spooked? Scared? Horrified? You'll have to read the story and find out! Brilliant, as usual.
David Wailing's books are always cleverly written. He also has a skill in anticipating the way current trends could come to fruition. Strange fruit indeed! How would you feel if you could go to a parent's grave and feel you could share a conversation? Comforted? How about if you could enter a virtual room and meet your dead family and friends and take part in conversation they are having with other dead people? Spooked? Scared? Horrified? You'll have to read the story and find out! Brilliant, as usual.
March 17, 2014
I have been working my way through the "Auto" series over the last few days and I think so far this is my favourite, I only have relationship status to read now.
Being dead has moved with the times.
In 2022, everyone has an auto, a personal assistant which acts like a digital version of you. But what if your auto doesn't get switched off after you die?
These unliving autos continue to interact with families and friends, comfort those left behind and keep their histories alive. They're an online backup of an entire life.
When Janine Kinglake visits her parents' graves, she expects them to be resting in peace. Not for her father's auto to have such frightening plans for its own future…
I started off thinking how great of an idea this was, to be able to go to my fathers graveside and talk to him, sort of, would be so great but the dead being able to send messages through their Auto would be kind of sad.
I love this series of books and it has me thinking about what the future holds technically for us, its not hard to believe that by 2022 we may all have Autos who run our lives for us.
Being dead has moved with the times.
In 2022, everyone has an auto, a personal assistant which acts like a digital version of you. But what if your auto doesn't get switched off after you die?
These unliving autos continue to interact with families and friends, comfort those left behind and keep their histories alive. They're an online backup of an entire life.
When Janine Kinglake visits her parents' graves, she expects them to be resting in peace. Not for her father's auto to have such frightening plans for its own future…
I started off thinking how great of an idea this was, to be able to go to my fathers graveside and talk to him, sort of, would be so great but the dead being able to send messages through their Auto would be kind of sad.
I love this series of books and it has me thinking about what the future holds technically for us, its not hard to believe that by 2022 we may all have Autos who run our lives for us.
September 7, 2015
Wow! This has got to be the most entertaining story I've read. The plot is a very serious subject, death, which allowed me to really relate to the character. Missing your deceased parents is something I know of first hand. If something like this was available today, I surely would have Smartstones on my parents graves.
Okay, on to the funny aspect. I couldn't stop laughing at all the jokes, or porkies, in this story. This is sarcasm and wit at its best. I thought my head would explode from laughing so hard.
This is a really great short story. If you're looking for something to make you smile or laugh on a bad day, then I suggest you read this book. How this father almost caused his daughter to have a heart attack from his grave is so freaking hilarious. All in good fun but also helping her to make a big decision about her life. Good parenting!
Okay, on to the funny aspect. I couldn't stop laughing at all the jokes, or porkies, in this story. This is sarcasm and wit at its best. I thought my head would explode from laughing so hard.
This is a really great short story. If you're looking for something to make you smile or laugh on a bad day, then I suggest you read this book. How this father almost caused his daughter to have a heart attack from his grave is so freaking hilarious. All in good fun but also helping her to make a big decision about her life. Good parenting!
February 8, 2013
One of the best stories (so far) in the futuristic "Auto" series. This one covers what death might look like in the year 2022. In a world where your "auto" (the digital assistant that manages your online social life) can live on after you die, what does grieving look like? And what happens if your deceased father's auto decides to make some changes and "move on" with its "life"?
Once again, you think you know where this story is going, and as the horror of it deepens, you become just as uneasy as the poor protagonist trying to cope with her father's auto when it starts making some very unsettling decisions. However, as always with these stories there's a twist, and it's a good one. I actually teared up, it was that well done. A standout in an already excellent series.
Keep them coming, Mr. Wailing!
Once again, you think you know where this story is going, and as the horror of it deepens, you become just as uneasy as the poor protagonist trying to cope with her father's auto when it starts making some very unsettling decisions. However, as always with these stories there's a twist, and it's a good one. I actually teared up, it was that well done. A standout in an already excellent series.
Keep them coming, Mr. Wailing!
January 21, 2013
One step closer to immortality? This short story explores the idea that we can live on after our deaths through our "Auto" a digital version of ourselves that helps to run our lives pulling together all our online and digital footprints and even helping us out by taking over routine tasks and make decisions for us.
What happens when we die though? Does our Auto die with us? Not necessarily. Even after death we can still be an interactive part of the lives of those we leave behind, for better or worse. I found it unsettling. The future this author creates is tantalisingly close to reality and it definitely made me think about where technology and social media are taking us.
A quick, easy, enjoyable short read.
What happens when we die though? Does our Auto die with us? Not necessarily. Even after death we can still be an interactive part of the lives of those we leave behind, for better or worse. I found it unsettling. The future this author creates is tantalisingly close to reality and it definitely made me think about where technology and social media are taking us.
A quick, easy, enjoyable short read.
May 2, 2013
This is a short story and part of the Auto series. It speculates how technology will develop in the future.
In this story, technology manages your entire social life and even reaches beyond death when you go to the cemetery and have a chat with your loved ones. This evolved technology, even if a bit oppressive -yes folks, more oppressive than the one we have now- rings true.
It is a witty and hilarious tale of the near future and how technology will affect our lives. I was absorbed by the story and wished it had been longer.
I admit there was a personal attachment to the story as well, since my father died years ago and he had the same sense of humour as Janine's dad.
Brilliant read to make you laugh!
In this story, technology manages your entire social life and even reaches beyond death when you go to the cemetery and have a chat with your loved ones. This evolved technology, even if a bit oppressive -yes folks, more oppressive than the one we have now- rings true.
It is a witty and hilarious tale of the near future and how technology will affect our lives. I was absorbed by the story and wished it had been longer.
I admit there was a personal attachment to the story as well, since my father died years ago and he had the same sense of humour as Janine's dad.
Brilliant read to make you laugh!
June 18, 2013
Backup is a short story from David Wailing's Auto series. In this series he looks at how purvasive technology can become in our lives, aprticuarly when automating our social networks and online presence. Backup looks at a specific part of this, what happens when you are dead. In this case your auto lives on.
As ever the author writes well and his work is a joy to read. It asks pertinent questions, but doesn't labour the point. It also has some good humour sprinkled liberally through the story. An excellent read.
As ever the author writes well and his work is a joy to read. It asks pertinent questions, but doesn't labour the point. It also has some good humour sprinkled liberally through the story. An excellent read.
January 23, 2013
If you've ever lost someone close to you, this short story will definitely resonate with you. What if there was technology available that would allow you to retain a relationship with your loved one after they were gone? Would such technology ultimately be a blessing or a curse? Great execution of this story--it felt plausible even though such technology (obviously) doesn't exist.
January 26, 2013
Wow, this story was a wild ride of suspense! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was practically biting my nails while I read to find out what happens next! Many thanks to David Wailing for this very entertaining short story!
April 6, 2014
160/4th/36
February 16, 2013
This one isn't as good as the first 2 in the series, but still worth reading. The thought that this is the world we are hurtling toward is so alarming to me!
December 14, 2014
I love this mans style of writing. I know that when I start reading anything by David Wailing that I will enjoy it.
This is no different.
This is no different.
February 27, 2013
Not as interesting as the other books in the auto Series.
March 14, 2014
This short story has loads of great reviews. Unfortunately it was not my cup of tea. I didn't enjoy the concept at all, and I finished it as quickly as I could. Sorry.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews