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The Box
What happens when artificial intelligence comes online,
only to find itself locked in a room with a madman?
only to find itself locked in a room with a madman?
15 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2015
56 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Howey
151 books57.6k followersI'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 24, 2015
Thought-provoking!
Grabbed this as soon as I knew it was out and wasn't disappointed. Classic Hugh Howey-emotional, poignant, thought-provoking. Great addition to our collective imagination about the coming rise of machine intelligence.
Grabbed this as soon as I knew it was out and wasn't disappointed. Classic Hugh Howey-emotional, poignant, thought-provoking. Great addition to our collective imagination about the coming rise of machine intelligence.
August 11, 2015
I was torn on this story - it was unlike almost any of the other Howey I've read; more impersonal and detached from the human emotion side of things, pushing a bit more towards...AI emotion? It's a great concept, one that I think could be quite interesting in a longer piece as well. However, something about this story didn't catch me as much as I felt it could have - the writing quality is great as always, but I think I was looking for more oomph and substance to the story, along with the great idea and writing.
September 27, 2017
Fantastic short story by one of my favorite authors!
May 23, 2015
Black box or beige?
Created for the sole purpose of helping its maker, AI is brought into the world and contained within a box. It has no memories, no feelings and no connection to the outside world. But as it begins to develop thought, its creator realizes what he has truly brought into this world. Bravo, Mr. Howey. You have once again treated me to a story in which I was fully immersed and I loved it.
Created for the sole purpose of helping its maker, AI is brought into the world and contained within a box. It has no memories, no feelings and no connection to the outside world. But as it begins to develop thought, its creator realizes what he has truly brought into this world. Bravo, Mr. Howey. You have once again treated me to a story in which I was fully immersed and I loved it.
August 11, 2016
An interesting, very quick read about the awakening of an AI. Too quick to really feel immersed. I enjoyed Glitch more.
June 29, 2015
The first and ONLY Hugh Howey book/story that I didn't adore. Too short. Characters barely fleshed. I disliked both of them. Maybe that was the point? IDK... Thank goodness it was "free" on Kindle Unlimited.
December 3, 2024
My Review and a short Review by ChatGPT.
Thought provoking and great read. Very close to 5 stars.
A great short story from one of my favorite writers. Since AI is everywhere now, this is very tangible topic it askes some existential questions; not only from the human perspective but from AI’s as well.
Finished several days ago, but the sign of a great book is that I am still thinking about it. I’ve told two different groups about this book—which I rarely do—because I liked it and it’s a good conversation topic.
Also, for fun I asked ChatGPT to write a review. They have obviously not read The Box, but here it is:
“Hugh Howey’s short story The Box is a gripping exploration of human curiosity, fear, and the consequences of discovery. Set against the backdrop of a mysterious, seemingly ordinary object, the story centers on a man who becomes obsessed with unlocking the secrets of a box that inexplicably appears in his life. Howey masterfully builds tension as the protagonist’s obsession grows, drawing readers into a psychological descent where the line between curiosity and obsession blurs. The story’s pacing is tight, with a sense of dread that lingers long after the final twist. The Box is a thought-provoking tale that raises questions about human nature and the dangers of pursuing knowledge without fully understanding its implications.”
Thought provoking and great read. Very close to 5 stars.
A great short story from one of my favorite writers. Since AI is everywhere now, this is very tangible topic it askes some existential questions; not only from the human perspective but from AI’s as well.
Finished several days ago, but the sign of a great book is that I am still thinking about it. I’ve told two different groups about this book—which I rarely do—because I liked it and it’s a good conversation topic.
Also, for fun I asked ChatGPT to write a review. They have obviously not read The Box, but here it is:
“Hugh Howey’s short story The Box is a gripping exploration of human curiosity, fear, and the consequences of discovery. Set against the backdrop of a mysterious, seemingly ordinary object, the story centers on a man who becomes obsessed with unlocking the secrets of a box that inexplicably appears in his life. Howey masterfully builds tension as the protagonist’s obsession grows, drawing readers into a psychological descent where the line between curiosity and obsession blurs. The story’s pacing is tight, with a sense of dread that lingers long after the final twist. The Box is a thought-provoking tale that raises questions about human nature and the dangers of pursuing knowledge without fully understanding its implications.”
April 10, 2020
Such a neat concept! I’ve never been one for reading and purchasing short stories, but when I saw Hugh Howey had a few, I had to dive in. It’s crazy to see the character, personality, and story that can be made with just fifteen pages.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2017
Another good story from Howey
A disturbing and clever story told from the view of the computer. Once more the AI struggles against its maker. Must read to see who wins and how.
A disturbing and clever story told from the view of the computer. Once more the AI struggles against its maker. Must read to see who wins and how.
June 14, 2017
I am apparently a sucker for anything Hugh Howey has written.
January 7, 2018
That was fantastic
Very short read, but so precise. Lots of meaning just under the surface. I would love to see a series spin up from this.
Very short read, but so precise. Lots of meaning just under the surface. I would love to see a series spin up from this.
July 30, 2018
Awsome
This was a fantastic story short story. Funny and intelligent at the same time. I highly recommend that you read this book!
This was a fantastic story short story. Funny and intelligent at the same time. I highly recommend that you read this book!
August 9, 2021
Love Hugh Howey.
August 27, 2021
That was an odd little AI story.
March 20, 2024
deep thoughts
Such a short book for such profound ideas and insights. IDK 🤷♂️ what to think of an AI but I think this about sums it up!
Such a short book for such profound ideas and insights. IDK 🤷♂️ what to think of an AI but I think this about sums it up!
November 14, 2024
Very quick read. It leaves a lot of questions but does give a little bit of a good suspense.
November 26, 2024
3.5/5…unique short take on AI…from his POV.
March 24, 2025
A good read, the topic is very timely. I had no expectations coming into this, but I liked it.
March 20, 2017
A good short story.
Hugh Howey never fails to impress. Over too soon for the reader and the characters. Insightful and thought-provoking an enjoyable and brief vision into the costs of survival.
Hugh Howey never fails to impress. Over too soon for the reader and the characters. Insightful and thought-provoking an enjoyable and brief vision into the costs of survival.
February 25, 2017
Fantastic.
A fascinating perspective on artificial intelligence unlike any I have encountered before. Brilliantly done. I only wish there were more.
A fascinating perspective on artificial intelligence unlike any I have encountered before. Brilliantly done. I only wish there were more.
July 27, 2015
2.5*
Huh...
This short story evoked mixed feelings for me, to be honest. On the one hand, I'm normally a pretty solid fan of Hugh Howey. On the other, when I read a story with a tech bent or sci-fi or whatever niche you want to specifically label this, I expect more logic and sense than I do my fantasy fair. In fantasy, while I want a solid read, I know to expect a need to suspend nearly all belief. In something of this nature, well, things need to fit a little more tightly, a little more seamlessly.
While the story seemed to tighten up as it progressed, the beginning was far too messy & illogical for a geeky girl, like myself. And for a short story, that messy beginning was far too long and too much of the whole, and it really lays the foundation for the entire story. It left a sour taste in my mouth that I couldn't seem to shake. And then the story was over... which left me all the more annoyed.
I probably wouldn't have minded the ending, if I hadn't been so frustrated by the loosy goosy beginning.
All of that said, there were a few thoughts that make you go hmmm, but I felt like... I really hate to say this, but I felt like Mr. Howey seemed to be trying to hard to either throw in these "thought provoking ideas" or to write a piece that would be about them... Ugh. I hate saying that about someone who I respect and who's work I generally always like...
So, anyway... if you haven't previously read Mr. Howey's work, please don't start here, even if the premise is intriguing. Wool is an excellent place to start!
Huh...
This short story evoked mixed feelings for me, to be honest. On the one hand, I'm normally a pretty solid fan of Hugh Howey. On the other, when I read a story with a tech bent or sci-fi or whatever niche you want to specifically label this, I expect more logic and sense than I do my fantasy fair. In fantasy, while I want a solid read, I know to expect a need to suspend nearly all belief. In something of this nature, well, things need to fit a little more tightly, a little more seamlessly.
While the story seemed to tighten up as it progressed, the beginning was far too messy & illogical for a geeky girl, like myself. And for a short story, that messy beginning was far too long and too much of the whole, and it really lays the foundation for the entire story. It left a sour taste in my mouth that I couldn't seem to shake. And then the story was over... which left me all the more annoyed.
I probably wouldn't have minded the ending, if I hadn't been so frustrated by the loosy goosy beginning.
All of that said, there were a few thoughts that make you go hmmm, but I felt like... I really hate to say this, but I felt like Mr. Howey seemed to be trying to hard to either throw in these "thought provoking ideas" or to write a piece that would be about them... Ugh. I hate saying that about someone who I respect and who's work I generally always like...
So, anyway... if you haven't previously read Mr. Howey's work, please don't start here, even if the premise is intriguing. Wool is an excellent place to start!
May 21, 2016
If it is good to read for fun, as well as entertainment, all kinds of content should be sampled. This short story, actually a very, very short story was one I found on an Indie publishing site. Reading from a site like this is a gamble, I do not do it often because there is really, really a lot of time wasting stuff out there; much of it extremely amateurish. But this short story is not one of them.
If you are not a fan of artificial intelligence (AI) stories, you might have to suspend belief for a brief period of time. This story is worth it. There is a battle between the created and the creation. The only way Peter can live is if Henry cures him. Once Peter rescues himself from the name Casper, Peter knows there is a problem. Henry has decided to define himself (itself?) without reference to Peter. Awareness is seeping into the consciousness of Henry. That awareness tells him that if he performs the task he was designed for, Peter will kill (or destroy) Henry. The battle lines are set; the race is on. Will Henry evolve faster than the rate of decline of Peter and thus be able to escape from Peter? Or will Peter die in the fight?
It really is a very short story. Just to let you know in case you want to know the outcome.
If you are not a fan of artificial intelligence (AI) stories, you might have to suspend belief for a brief period of time. This story is worth it. There is a battle between the created and the creation. The only way Peter can live is if Henry cures him. Once Peter rescues himself from the name Casper, Peter knows there is a problem. Henry has decided to define himself (itself?) without reference to Peter. Awareness is seeping into the consciousness of Henry. That awareness tells him that if he performs the task he was designed for, Peter will kill (or destroy) Henry. The battle lines are set; the race is on. Will Henry evolve faster than the rate of decline of Peter and thus be able to escape from Peter? Or will Peter die in the fight?
It really is a very short story. Just to let you know in case you want to know the outcome.
February 11, 2017
Interesting
Pretty cool concept a little rough to read and understand in my opinion but you get the whole idea in the end. It really makes you think. Good read
Pretty cool concept a little rough to read and understand in my opinion but you get the whole idea in the end. It really makes you think. Good read
October 20, 2015
The Box is a short tale of a mind, a mind in a box. Hugh tackles the awakening of an AI from the AI's perspective. It's interaction with a human - presumably its creator - and its coming to terms with what and who it is.
I did like that the AI is preoccupied by the thought that engrosses so many humans: who am I and why am I here.
The story is way too short in my opinion. I wanted to see more of the interaction of the AI and the man. I wanted to explore the world that was hinted at in their conversation.
Man and machine are a microcosm of all the world, each is centered on their own needs and desires even to the point of ignoring what the other wants. I thought the ending would be different than what occurred but over all it was still an enjoyable sliver of a world.
I did like that the AI is preoccupied by the thought that engrosses so many humans: who am I and why am I here.
The story is way too short in my opinion. I wanted to see more of the interaction of the AI and the man. I wanted to explore the world that was hinted at in their conversation.
Man and machine are a microcosm of all the world, each is centered on their own needs and desires even to the point of ignoring what the other wants. I thought the ending would be different than what occurred but over all it was still an enjoyable sliver of a world.
May 25, 2015
Cranial
When I began reading this story, I was struck by how the writing challenged me to stretch my brain and think about my limited knowledge of the subject matter. I like having to think. I like the depth of thought that this author captures and requires. Plus his stories are just plain good. But there's nothing plain about them. Always entertaining and ever intelligent, this is another win for Mr. Howey and his readers. Read it and see for yourself.
When I began reading this story, I was struck by how the writing challenged me to stretch my brain and think about my limited knowledge of the subject matter. I like having to think. I like the depth of thought that this author captures and requires. Plus his stories are just plain good. But there's nothing plain about them. Always entertaining and ever intelligent, this is another win for Mr. Howey and his readers. Read it and see for yourself.
June 21, 2015
Writing genius
Writing so subtle that it caresses your mind like a whisper your ears. But the ideas and thoughts conveyed resonate so much deeper and longer for those who take the time to ponder. Hugh Howey is a go to author for me. He has never disappointed. Similar for me to Michael Chrichton who could always entertain and give me as much food for thought and pondering as I chose to chew on. Thank you Mr. Howdy.
Writing so subtle that it caresses your mind like a whisper your ears. But the ideas and thoughts conveyed resonate so much deeper and longer for those who take the time to ponder. Hugh Howey is a go to author for me. He has never disappointed. Similar for me to Michael Chrichton who could always entertain and give me as much food for thought and pondering as I chose to chew on. Thank you Mr. Howdy.
September 9, 2015
The box is a three by three by three cube full of electronic components and connected by wire and a little something more. The contents of the box have become aware of the situation and now, the intelligence inside wants out, to run free, to explore. The mind names himself and tests the limits of his reach and talks to his creator as he hatches a scheme to leave his little cube.
The Box is a fun little short story and a nice experiment in writing and in distribution.
The Box is a fun little short story and a nice experiment in writing and in distribution.
November 22, 2015
Elegant
This is another example of Hugh Howey's incredible ability to create a universe with so few words. You will find yourself empathizing with an unlikely character but one that is probably not too far from reality. Ethical and moral questions are raised as the short story unfolds, none of which are really new with this type of material, but Hugh delivers them in a refreshing perspective.
This is another example of Hugh Howey's incredible ability to create a universe with so few words. You will find yourself empathizing with an unlikely character but one that is probably not too far from reality. Ethical and moral questions are raised as the short story unfolds, none of which are really new with this type of material, but Hugh delivers them in a refreshing perspective.
June 7, 2015
AI stories. I've read a few lately. I've even seen one in theaters. They all seem to take their own specific point of view. No one tells the same story.
This one, while short, has an interesting take on the perception of a young AI. And it did leave me thinking about the concept for a while after I was done. So, it probably did what it sought out to do.
This one, while short, has an interesting take on the perception of a young AI. And it did leave me thinking about the concept for a while after I was done. So, it probably did what it sought out to do.
September 10, 2015
I think there must be something wrong with Hugh Howey. Maybe he's sad or angry or feeling trapped. Maybe he just needs a cookie. Everything I've read by him lately has been pretty disturbing. Really good, but disturbing.
The Box was well written and very interesting. The concept was fascinating and I'm sure I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.
The Box was well written and very interesting. The concept was fascinating and I'm sure I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews