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The Jennifer Project
In 2096, Deever MacClendon creates Jennifer, the first proto-conscious cybernetic processor. It is hyper-intelligent, aware, and evolving. Deever wants to use his creation for the good of all, to help fix a broken world, but knowing what a powerful weapon it could be in the wrong hands, he hides it. When his secret is uncovered, he is forced to plunge into a high-tech morass of deception and treachery to avoid catastrophe and save a world where humans are no longer the most intelligent species.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2016
108 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Larry Enright
23 books75 followersLarry Enright is an award-winning and best-selling author. He lives on a farm where he grows his stories in peaceful climes.
Find him at larryenright.com
Find him at larryenright.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 10, 2017
The Jennifer Project by Larry Enright is an awesome sci-fi book that has great characters, plot, and my favorite, a fun AI. I enjoyed this story. A little different but that is just down my alley!
August 16, 2016
Okay, this a joke right? I mean this book - it is a prank, the author putting one over on us? Here is an actual sentence: 'City Center, a sprawling metropolis within the mega-city called North America'. Read that and explain how it makes any sense or narrows down the location to less than a thousand square miles. Yeah it's so creative and interesting! And that's just one minor example. At one point the characters go to a glorious seaside resort called, wait for it- the Seaside Resort. Boy somebody put a lot of thought into that one!
The rest of the book is all made up scientific sounding words to fool the reader. The author is supposed to have a degree and some programming experience, so you'd think he could come up with something better, hmm... I thought I was getting an interesting science fiction novel about a self aware processor, but what I got was a story too cutesy by a factor of 2, filled with completely made up junk 'science', and a main character named Deever who can't utter a single sentence without the word 'man' or 'dude' in it, and who is more irritating than any fingernails on a black board ever could be. And this sterling example of a pot smoking professor lies, cheats, and steals from whomever he comes in contact with, especially his employers, in his better - than - thou, self righteous manner. Note to author: the 60's was over 50 years ago, sorry you missed it but...
I basically hated this book from page 2 and it didn't get any better by page 422. This was an Amazon Scout winner???!!! I knew Amazon is not the shining star it once was, but this is just heartbreaking. Maybe it is a joke. The author showing what he could get away with and garner multitudes of 5 star reviews. Has to be. Doesn't it?
The rest of the book is all made up scientific sounding words to fool the reader. The author is supposed to have a degree and some programming experience, so you'd think he could come up with something better, hmm... I thought I was getting an interesting science fiction novel about a self aware processor, but what I got was a story too cutesy by a factor of 2, filled with completely made up junk 'science', and a main character named Deever who can't utter a single sentence without the word 'man' or 'dude' in it, and who is more irritating than any fingernails on a black board ever could be. And this sterling example of a pot smoking professor lies, cheats, and steals from whomever he comes in contact with, especially his employers, in his better - than - thou, self righteous manner. Note to author: the 60's was over 50 years ago, sorry you missed it but...
I basically hated this book from page 2 and it didn't get any better by page 422. This was an Amazon Scout winner???!!! I knew Amazon is not the shining star it once was, but this is just heartbreaking. Maybe it is a joke. The author showing what he could get away with and garner multitudes of 5 star reviews. Has to be. Doesn't it?
September 4, 2016
LOVED IT!
I was unable to put down "The Jennifer Project". First, Deever is a nerd and a geek. I not only come from nerds and geeks, but am mother and grandma to nerds and geeks. Secondly, the rest of the characters are so well drawn that you can't help but either love, or hate, them as the case may be (and the author intended). However, this book isn't just for those of us who want to get our geek on. It is very thoughtful and raises questions that we should all ask ourselves, and to which we should really have an answer It's also the best AI/robot story I've read in about 40 years. Obviously a MUST read! Thanks Mr. Enright for another wonderful story.
I was unable to put down "The Jennifer Project". First, Deever is a nerd and a geek. I not only come from nerds and geeks, but am mother and grandma to nerds and geeks. Secondly, the rest of the characters are so well drawn that you can't help but either love, or hate, them as the case may be (and the author intended). However, this book isn't just for those of us who want to get our geek on. It is very thoughtful and raises questions that we should all ask ourselves, and to which we should really have an answer It's also the best AI/robot story I've read in about 40 years. Obviously a MUST read! Thanks Mr. Enright for another wonderful story.
August 1, 2018
Good story of you can get through some issues
The Jennifer Project is a typical artificial intelligence tale of a human (Deever) and his increasingly powerful technology. My main struggle with this book was the character of Deever, who seems to be a pothead genius with a proclivity to use words spanning from "dude" to "unfortuitous." Though I had a hard time getting past this, I was able to suffer through in order to find plot points I enjoyed until the fascinating end. While this is certainly not a literary masterpiece, it is a quick and simple read with some positive elements in regard to the plot and bodybuilding.
The Jennifer Project is a typical artificial intelligence tale of a human (Deever) and his increasingly powerful technology. My main struggle with this book was the character of Deever, who seems to be a pothead genius with a proclivity to use words spanning from "dude" to "unfortuitous." Though I had a hard time getting past this, I was able to suffer through in order to find plot points I enjoyed until the fascinating end. While this is certainly not a literary masterpiece, it is a quick and simple read with some positive elements in regard to the plot and bodybuilding.
June 22, 2016
The Jennifer Project has an interesting and exciting plot, filled with a cast of well-drawn characters. The story focuses on two scientists beginning in the year 2096, and is told from the perspective of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) created by one of those scientists.
The novel touches on some of the moral, ethical, and security concerns of incorporating AI into daily life in a manner comparable to society's reliance on smart phones. A sharp contrast is drawn between the altruistic scientist who created Jennifer and the villain who aspires to world domination.
I was especially fond of the 1960's hippie lingo used throughout the book by the lead character, Deever. It served not only to entertain the reader, but also to lead other characters to underestimate his abilities.
I highly recommend this book to both avid and casual SciFi fans.
The novel touches on some of the moral, ethical, and security concerns of incorporating AI into daily life in a manner comparable to society's reliance on smart phones. A sharp contrast is drawn between the altruistic scientist who created Jennifer and the villain who aspires to world domination.
I was especially fond of the 1960's hippie lingo used throughout the book by the lead character, Deever. It served not only to entertain the reader, but also to lead other characters to underestimate his abilities.
I highly recommend this book to both avid and casual SciFi fans.
September 12, 2016
Meh. Interesting premise but a little juvenile in the execution. The main character was totally unbelievable to me.
April 7, 2018
The main character creates a matter transmuter that doesn't require huge amounts of energy, uses that to create a stable trans-uranic element that can "evolve", and uses that to create the first true AI. (All in the first couple of chapters, so no spoilers there.)
But he's also a 60's throwback hippie stoner, completely unbelievable as any kind of serious scientist, and so annoying that I almost quite reading after the second chapter. I simply couldn't take him seriously enough to believe he accomplish any of the above.
And I wish I had.
I'll be honest, though, without the stoner character of Deever, I'd have given the book another star because while it wasn't great, it wouldn't have been bad but for him.
But he's also a 60's throwback hippie stoner, completely unbelievable as any kind of serious scientist, and so annoying that I almost quite reading after the second chapter. I simply couldn't take him seriously enough to believe he accomplish any of the above.
And I wish I had.
I'll be honest, though, without the stoner character of Deever, I'd have given the book another star because while it wasn't great, it wouldn't have been bad but for him.
July 9, 2017
Deever is a geek a very intelligent one. He loves his weed. And talks like a stoner as well. He is a scientist and has found out how to turn lead into gold. He uses words 'like' and 'man' and 'dude' in a lot of his sentences. Deever and Jennifer or Dr Crane have known each other since 3rd grade and are actually in love with each other. He invents an AI and puts it into a watch and I will not tell more of the story but I did really like it. I found his stoner language a bit annoying at times for someone that intelligent.
October 21, 2018
Fascinating and scary concept
First things first... I couldn’t stand the personality of the lead character, Deever, which very nearly prompted me to give up on the book. He’s that annoying. But the overall concept of the book was interesting enough to move past that to get to the meat of the story. Not sure I’d recommend the book, since it takes fortitude to wade past Deever and his overuse of the word “fortuitous.”
First things first... I couldn’t stand the personality of the lead character, Deever, which very nearly prompted me to give up on the book. He’s that annoying. But the overall concept of the book was interesting enough to move past that to get to the meat of the story. Not sure I’d recommend the book, since it takes fortitude to wade past Deever and his overuse of the word “fortuitous.”
September 28, 2023
I couldn't finish this book. Got 25% through and decided to stop wasting my time with it. I assume that some people will like the style in which the book is told, but I do not.
The main characters seem flat to me, their every thought and dialogue is shared, even if it seems completely irrelevant, a scientific breakthrough happens early in the story but the way it is written about makes it sound less exciting than the least exciting thing you can think of.
The main characters seem flat to me, their every thought and dialogue is shared, even if it seems completely irrelevant, a scientific breakthrough happens early in the story but the way it is written about makes it sound less exciting than the least exciting thing you can think of.
November 25, 2016
A great read.
This book is an easy read with an interesting plot. Part mystery part science fiction. It has an interesting take on the super AI theme. I loom forward to exploring other work by Mr. Enright.
This book is an easy read with an interesting plot. Part mystery part science fiction. It has an interesting take on the super AI theme. I loom forward to exploring other work by Mr. Enright.
June 2, 2017
Intriguing read
Delightful read, if you enjoy futuristic AI books. Keeps you thinking and guessing at every turn, and I was thrilled the author didn't use the cliche of an all-powerful AI who determined the human race is obsolete. Give it a read, you won't be sorry.
Delightful read, if you enjoy futuristic AI books. Keeps you thinking and guessing at every turn, and I was thrilled the author didn't use the cliche of an all-powerful AI who determined the human race is obsolete. Give it a read, you won't be sorry.
January 24, 2018
Definitely an intriguing read!
The story took a little bit to get into (especially Deever’s “hippie speak” lol), but once I was in, I was IN. The idea is partially terrifying but equally interesting to fathom. Read it, you won’t regret it!
The story took a little bit to get into (especially Deever’s “hippie speak” lol), but once I was in, I was IN. The idea is partially terrifying but equally interesting to fathom. Read it, you won’t regret it!
November 15, 2020
Interesting, but not my favorite prose style. Felt more like a good comedy rather, rather than what I don't know, more classic I guess. Anyway, it is well written!
December 2, 2016
Did not finish. Not worth reading.
September 4, 2017
This was great tale of the birth of an artificial intelligence that brings up some interesting food for thought. One annoyance for me was the main character's speech patterns, like some stoner from the 60s. It especially bugged me because it didn't serve any purpose that I could fathom. Actually, it was annoying enough that it's a complement to the story that I came away with such a positive impression.
February 25, 2017
This is the first book by the author that I’ve read, and it won’t be the last. As a hugs Sci-Fi fan, I loved the layers throughout the story. We’re thrown into a futuristic world where a single company controls most of the world through their various enterprises. In many ways, it’s already a dystopian world, but there’s more to come.
As we’re introduced to Deever, a 1960s hippie throwback, we have the joy of watching one of the most intelligent people alive as well as probably the loosest cannon. While he wants nothing but the best for humanity, Deever continually outthinks himself or underestimates those wishing to own his newest creation: Jennifer.
Jennifer, an AI (Artificial Intelligence) created by Deever, is a unique combination of a highly intelligent creation (being?) with the understanding of a child about the world around her. It helped to add a comic undertone to the storyline and acted as a counterweight to Deever.
As the story progresses, we’re taken from one dystopian society to another, giving our hero the chance to shine despite his string of errors. That alone made the story for me as Deever is very flawed, despite all his intellectual gifts. While there were times I wanted to reach into the book and smack him, he was a lovable character, much like a goofy friend, that was the humanity within the story.
Overall, I think this is a great addition to any Sci-Fi fan’s library, whether they’re a hardcore fan or a casual reader.
As we’re introduced to Deever, a 1960s hippie throwback, we have the joy of watching one of the most intelligent people alive as well as probably the loosest cannon. While he wants nothing but the best for humanity, Deever continually outthinks himself or underestimates those wishing to own his newest creation: Jennifer.
Jennifer, an AI (Artificial Intelligence) created by Deever, is a unique combination of a highly intelligent creation (being?) with the understanding of a child about the world around her. It helped to add a comic undertone to the storyline and acted as a counterweight to Deever.
As the story progresses, we’re taken from one dystopian society to another, giving our hero the chance to shine despite his string of errors. That alone made the story for me as Deever is very flawed, despite all his intellectual gifts. While there were times I wanted to reach into the book and smack him, he was a lovable character, much like a goofy friend, that was the humanity within the story.
Overall, I think this is a great addition to any Sci-Fi fan’s library, whether they’re a hardcore fan or a casual reader.
July 24, 2016
Larry Enright is fabulous. "The Jennifer Project" fell into my hands by way of some Amazon algorithm. So random. Damn, I'm glad it did. Enright introduces his readers right away to Jennifer. She starts the story from her perspective, and Jennifer, in the tradition of Tanith Lee's Silver Metal Lover, is an artificial intelligence construct. A robot. Kind of. Jennifer is the haphazard creation of Deever MacClendon, a professor in the absent-minded genius tradition of Ned Brainard (Fred MacMurray), the creator of Flubber. He's brilliant. But Deever works for a research college more interest in bottom-line results than vision. In other words, idiots. They can't clue in that he's on the brink of something that will change the world. Enright must have some insight into that world. Seems crazy but understandable. Deever has consumed huge amounts of cash to create a device he calls "the wiggler," which, using very little energy, is able to rejigger the chemistry of known elements. A byproduct is he discovers a way to turn lead to gold like a mythical alchemist in the days of yore. What he's really after is an opportunity to create a new element that will enable him to create a thinking being. He doesn't get the chance. Professor MacClendon soon becomes unemployed MacClendon. And in this version of future history, there are far too many people and a huge income divide. He's forced to live in a soup kitchen/shelter and sweeps floors (or something like that) for his keep. Hardly the job he was born to complete. He loses access to the net. No phone. Not even his girlfriend, a brilliant scientist who specializes in the miniaturization of various electronic devices, can reach him. Then along comes a guy from a huge corporation interested in giving Deever a job. Turns out this corporation, perhaps the largest in the world, learned of his gold making. The company purchased the contents of his university lab and wants to put him to work, churning out gold. Deever, who talks like one of the hippies I grew up with (somewhat irritatingly), speculates that it's for the military industrial complex (listen to the Eisenhower speech). The suited man recruiting him admits as much. The gold will fuel an AI project of protectorbots. Deever says no then reconsiders when he reconnects with his girlfriend. She's the voice of reason. He needs this job. But Enright's got one amazing revelation after another up his writing sleeve. The guy is a throwback in the sci-fi world. His brain is wired like some of the best authors from the 1960s. He's a concept writer. At least here. And going along for the ride is a blast. Deever's character never slows down. He's a pain in the ass. He's frustrating. He's socially unacceptable. But he's brilliant. His mind bends around problems. Jen, the girlfriend, remains the straight type. The foil. But she's an important character too. Most of the second half of the novel is built around her character. And Deever can be an idiot. The smart one, the even keel, is Jennifer, the one referenced in the title. Her evolution is amazing. I gotta read more by this guy. And what I loved especially about the novel is that it is self-contained. No sequel. Like some of the best by Phillip K. Dick or Rod Serling. Not that I'd balk at a follow. Enright is a master at science speculation and its effects on the human condition. His take on free will is brilliant. I'll shut up now.
February 24, 2017
World peace would be great, wouldn't it? But what would be the cost? Deever thinks it could be achieved by removing the "bad fruit" -- eliminating evil options from the list of things we could do. His girlfriend, Jennifer, believes tampering with what makes us human something evil. This is the premise of The Jennifer Project. The author has set about an intricate plot that attempts to achieve Deever's dream. But it all apparently goes wrong when a evil man takes control. This was an interesting look into what would happen when free will is removed. Would it be good or evil?
My one problem with the story was it wasn't always easy to tell who was speaking. But I enjoyed the concept and story enough to give it five stars.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
My one problem with the story was it wasn't always easy to tell who was speaking. But I enjoyed the concept and story enough to give it five stars.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
August 25, 2016
There were so many, many things about this book that totally irritated me! First of all, it is set in the year 2096, so (currently) 80 years into our future. The author created a world where the power structure and living conditions were marginally different than now; but there will probably be more technological advances in the next six months than were displayed in the novel.
Probably the single most irritating part of the narrative, was that the main character, Deever, used hippie speak throughout the entire work. It was, like, so totally annoying, dude. How he could even pick up 130-year-old vernacular enough to make it part of his speech pattern is beyond me.
Deever supposedly creates all of these brilliant inventions that can do amazing things, but he has totally inane names for them, like “the Wiggler.” Also, the book goes into rather exhaustive detail about some of the technical aspects of various science related happenings. But on the topic of the creation of the main character – Jennifer – it is basically mum. Of course, you wouldn’t expect a writer to be able to explain how a more advanced species than humans is actually created, but something more of an attempt at it would have been appreciated.
If you could get past some of those negative aspects, the story itself and the main premises of this novel were very intriguing. There were a lot of twists and turns that I did not at all see coming. The juxtaposition between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human free will, what is right and what is wrong, and who gets to decide, were all very intriguing. The take-away-the-grape philosophy was quite brilliant.
Overall, I’d recommend this book as a good read for all, especially those interested in AI and sci-fi in general, not to mention exploration of how to interface those technologies with our human society. Just for me personally though, the negative aspects were almost too overwhelming for what would otherwise be a rather brilliant story.
As I nominated this book in Kindle Scout, when it was chosen as a winner, I was provided a free eBook copy, with the request to provide an honest review.
Probably the single most irritating part of the narrative, was that the main character, Deever, used hippie speak throughout the entire work. It was, like, so totally annoying, dude. How he could even pick up 130-year-old vernacular enough to make it part of his speech pattern is beyond me.
Deever supposedly creates all of these brilliant inventions that can do amazing things, but he has totally inane names for them, like “the Wiggler.” Also, the book goes into rather exhaustive detail about some of the technical aspects of various science related happenings. But on the topic of the creation of the main character – Jennifer – it is basically mum. Of course, you wouldn’t expect a writer to be able to explain how a more advanced species than humans is actually created, but something more of an attempt at it would have been appreciated.
If you could get past some of those negative aspects, the story itself and the main premises of this novel were very intriguing. There were a lot of twists and turns that I did not at all see coming. The juxtaposition between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human free will, what is right and what is wrong, and who gets to decide, were all very intriguing. The take-away-the-grape philosophy was quite brilliant.
Overall, I’d recommend this book as a good read for all, especially those interested in AI and sci-fi in general, not to mention exploration of how to interface those technologies with our human society. Just for me personally though, the negative aspects were almost too overwhelming for what would otherwise be a rather brilliant story.
As I nominated this book in Kindle Scout, when it was chosen as a winner, I was provided a free eBook copy, with the request to provide an honest review.
June 8, 2016
As I nominated this book and it was a Kindle Scout Winner, I was provided an Advanced Reader's Copy to read and provide an honest review.
This is a futuristic SciFi Techno-thriller with Dystopian undertones.
Deever is a mixture of hippie and scientist who would desires to leave the world a much better place. He makes a discovery that places his best friend/love of his life in danger. Will he put her ahead of the fate of the human race?
To me this story has elements of previous books I've read by Anthony J. Melchiorri, Mark Donovan, and J. C. Allen. I loved it not only for this combination but also because it was told from an unique viewpoint.
Warning: This is for Mature Audiences due to Violence and Adult Situations
This is a futuristic SciFi Techno-thriller with Dystopian undertones.
Deever is a mixture of hippie and scientist who would desires to leave the world a much better place. He makes a discovery that places his best friend/love of his life in danger. Will he put her ahead of the fate of the human race?
To me this story has elements of previous books I've read by Anthony J. Melchiorri, Mark Donovan, and J. C. Allen. I loved it not only for this combination but also because it was told from an unique viewpoint.
Warning: This is for Mature Audiences due to Violence and Adult Situations
August 2, 2016
I really enjoyed 2/3rds of this book. The last third was a little predictable and, probably because of that, felt very rushed and not 'cared for' like the first part. Part of the reason it was so predictable was because the author did such a good job introducing us to Jennifer (and the other characters), that we knew who she was and what she would do. The author attempted to do a 'don't look behind the curtain' believe what in front of you, but the entire first 2/3rd of the book was BEHIND the curtain, so we, the readers, can't ignore it, the author just spent 200 pages telling us about it.
Still even with the disappointing final third, I'd recommend it and it probably deserves 3.5 stars. He's an author I will read again.
Still even with the disappointing final third, I'd recommend it and it probably deserves 3.5 stars. He's an author I will read again.
August 1, 2016
A very good Read humor, future evelotion, romance, evil, mystery what more can a reader ask for
3.5 stars is more accurate but you all know the limit's. It is the type of story that has fun with the present NY projecting where we are headed under the path we appear to be on. I enjoyed the charters even the evil one. The verbiage used by Deever was from my past and provided me with a trip through my memory bank. I enjoyed it and now back to a
book that is a good storyline but o humor.
3.5 stars is more accurate but you all know the limit's. It is the type of story that has fun with the present NY projecting where we are headed under the path we appear to be on. I enjoyed the charters even the evil one. The verbiage used by Deever was from my past and provided me with a trip through my memory bank. I enjoyed it and now back to a
book that is a good storyline but o humor.
July 16, 2016
A refreshingly old-school take on the birth of what we shouldn't *just* call AI, with a hippy brilliant scientist to boot. I've seen it done cleaner and with perhaps tighter prose, but still enjoyable enough to qualify as a fun story.
July 29, 2016
This was not your typical AI book, which is nice to discover being that many AI storylines are so cliché and similar to things we'd read before. I loved every moment of this particular ride. A great new tale that is easy to believe.
October 4, 2016
The story line was fun and entertaining. It keeps your attention. Character development was very minimal though. I wanted to know more about the main characters and their background. Interesting social commentary on wearable technology and the potential risks of melding tech to our bodies.
July 8, 2016
Go Jennifer
A very adventurous effort. Lots of cool computer and sci fi talk. It raises an issue that we may have to deal with before 2096. AI is with us now
A very adventurous effort. Lots of cool computer and sci fi talk. It raises an issue that we may have to deal with before 2096. AI is with us now
November 13, 2016
Wow!!
Not my usual cup of tea, so to speak, all I can say is wow. Could not put this one down.
Not my usual cup of tea, so to speak, all I can say is wow. Could not put this one down.
September 3, 2016
The dialect used by one of the main characters bordered on absurdity.
March 13, 2017
Interesting. I was about to quit reading this after the first 5 pages or so. The plot kept me guessing right up to the end, and overall I enjoyed reading this book. On the other hand, the science is loose, even for SF, and although the philosophical questions are fascinating, the philosophy fails to consider some big questions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews