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The Absolved
It’s 2036. Henri is a wealthy physician, husband, father, and serial philanderer. He is also one of the relatively few people to still have a job. Automation and other technological advances have led to unemployment so severe that many people are no longer expected to work and are now known as “The Absolved.”
Meanwhile, it’s election season, and a candidate from a radical fringe party called the Luddites is calling for an end to the “Divine Rights of Machines.” After Henri is displaced from his job, two Luddite sympathizers—whom Henri has befriended at his local bar—frame him for an anti-technology terrorist act. The prospect of Henri’s salvation comes at the cost of foregoing his guiding principles in life. This new vision for the world, after all, just might prove better than the technological advancements that, paradoxically, have “left humanity out in the cold.”
Meanwhile, it’s election season, and a candidate from a radical fringe party called the Luddites is calling for an end to the “Divine Rights of Machines.” After Henri is displaced from his job, two Luddite sympathizers—whom Henri has befriended at his local bar—frame him for an anti-technology terrorist act. The prospect of Henri’s salvation comes at the cost of foregoing his guiding principles in life. This new vision for the world, after all, just might prove better than the technological advancements that, paradoxically, have “left humanity out in the cold.”
290 pages, Paperback
First published December 4, 2018
33 people are currently reading
1154 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Binder
4 books66 followersMatthew Binder is the author of the novels Pure Cosmos Club, The Absolved, and High in the Streets. He's also a primary member of the recording project Bang Bang Jet Away.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 14, 2018
In the year 2036, self driving cars have replaced manual cars. It is the law. When Henri's car hits a streetlight, his insurance company faults him, until it is proven that the accident happened due to his software failing to properly update. Welcome to a techno dystopian world twenty years from now! Henri, our narrator, lives in a world where pens and paper are passe. Open your hologram, interact with society.
So many things are rapidly changing. Most decisions are based on Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence. Ask Henri, a prominent oncologist, an elitist among the top 1% wage earners. His boss Serena has written an algorithm she hopes will quantify the value of human life. (Human Life Valuation Tool) If medical decisions are made subjectively, not compassionately, spending will be cut saving trillions of dollars.
A new jobless social class, The Absolved, is exponentially growing. These members of society, unable to contribute to a high-tech work force, are provided with "Basic Income" that barely covers the cost of food, low income housing and healthcare. Self esteem is at an all time low and boredom is rampant. No wonder a Progressive group called the Luddites shout "Death to the Machines!" "Turn back the Hands of Time!"
Henri, a philanderer, as well as the other players in this tome of speculative fiction are unlikable wheeler dealers. The concept of displacement, one's livelihood usurped by robots and teaching machines, is very unsettling. Machine learning algorithms, rewriting themselves continually, can and do make mistakes as in the case of Henri's car accident. Henri was accused of making a modification to his car, a punishable felony when in fact, the incident was the result of a software glitch.
"The Absolved" by Matthew Binder was an uncomfortable read populated by underdeveloped, despicable characters. There are those readers who might find the novel to be darkly funny, but, this reader did not see much humor in this futuristic work.
Thank you Black Spot Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Absolved".
So many things are rapidly changing. Most decisions are based on Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence. Ask Henri, a prominent oncologist, an elitist among the top 1% wage earners. His boss Serena has written an algorithm she hopes will quantify the value of human life. (Human Life Valuation Tool) If medical decisions are made subjectively, not compassionately, spending will be cut saving trillions of dollars.
A new jobless social class, The Absolved, is exponentially growing. These members of society, unable to contribute to a high-tech work force, are provided with "Basic Income" that barely covers the cost of food, low income housing and healthcare. Self esteem is at an all time low and boredom is rampant. No wonder a Progressive group called the Luddites shout "Death to the Machines!" "Turn back the Hands of Time!"
Henri, a philanderer, as well as the other players in this tome of speculative fiction are unlikable wheeler dealers. The concept of displacement, one's livelihood usurped by robots and teaching machines, is very unsettling. Machine learning algorithms, rewriting themselves continually, can and do make mistakes as in the case of Henri's car accident. Henri was accused of making a modification to his car, a punishable felony when in fact, the incident was the result of a software glitch.
"The Absolved" by Matthew Binder was an uncomfortable read populated by underdeveloped, despicable characters. There are those readers who might find the novel to be darkly funny, but, this reader did not see much humor in this futuristic work.
Thank you Black Spot Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Absolved".
July 19, 2018
The Absolved by Matthew Binder is told through the eyes of Henri, an oncologist in the not-so-distant future where robots and other technological advances have taken over most of the world's jobs. I love the voice of Henri. He is a great narrator in this new world, being flawed and disillusioned and completely credible. If not for my love of this character and the incredible writing talent of Binder, I doubt I would have been able to finish this book. The story quickly falls flat and as interesting as Henri is as a character, he's not enough to carry the entire story.
I was provided an ARC of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided an ARC of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2018
When I started reading this novel, I was not sure if I wouldn’t stop reading it after a few pages. I don’t have any attraction for serial philanderers or men who hang out in bars rather than looking after their family while claiming that they love it immensely. And this is precisely the portrait that the author gives us of Henri, his MC and a wealthy physician, one of the exceptions who still have a job.
But that was before I realized that this novel is a social criticism in the form of a techno-dystopia. His MC’s flaws are intentional. They mirror those of the humankind. The author anticipates that, if we go on as we started, there will soon be only machines that will work (automation, artificial intelligence and other technological advancements) and most of us, humans, will have become the Absolved, those who aren’t forced to work because we'd be absolved of the citizen duty to contribute to the wealth and well-being of the nation, but who are consequently idle, poor and without a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment.
This novel reminded me a little of The Matrix, as in both stories the human species become entirely dependent on the Machine (computers, robots, etc.) to cater to all its needs and that only a few people are sufficiently conscious to understand that their "leisure society" is actually a society of depressive slaves, “victims to boredom and vice”, as Binder so aptly put it.
The author presents us with a funny version of the last American election; a candidate from a radical fringe party called the Luddites is calling for an end to the “Divine Rights of Machines.” And most of the Absolved believe to elect a savior, who will go back to old values and provide them with jobs, wealth and happiness.
Meanwhile, two Luddite sympathizers, whom Henri has befriended at his local bar, frame him for an anti-technology terrorist act. The prospect of Henri’s salvation comes at the cost of foregoing his guiding principles in life: not to rebel against the machine and risk to lose his job. He is given the opportunity to become a hero or villain. And it's where the funny, fast-paced action starts.
Henri hopes that this new (or old-time) world will prove better than the technological advancements that, paradoxically, led humanity to its decline.
As Binder said,
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book.
But that was before I realized that this novel is a social criticism in the form of a techno-dystopia. His MC’s flaws are intentional. They mirror those of the humankind. The author anticipates that, if we go on as we started, there will soon be only machines that will work (automation, artificial intelligence and other technological advancements) and most of us, humans, will have become the Absolved, those who aren’t forced to work because we'd be absolved of the citizen duty to contribute to the wealth and well-being of the nation, but who are consequently idle, poor and without a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment.
This novel reminded me a little of The Matrix, as in both stories the human species become entirely dependent on the Machine (computers, robots, etc.) to cater to all its needs and that only a few people are sufficiently conscious to understand that their "leisure society" is actually a society of depressive slaves, “victims to boredom and vice”, as Binder so aptly put it.
The author presents us with a funny version of the last American election; a candidate from a radical fringe party called the Luddites is calling for an end to the “Divine Rights of Machines.” And most of the Absolved believe to elect a savior, who will go back to old values and provide them with jobs, wealth and happiness.
Meanwhile, two Luddite sympathizers, whom Henri has befriended at his local bar, frame him for an anti-technology terrorist act. The prospect of Henri’s salvation comes at the cost of foregoing his guiding principles in life: not to rebel against the machine and risk to lose his job. He is given the opportunity to become a hero or villain. And it's where the funny, fast-paced action starts.
Henri hopes that this new (or old-time) world will prove better than the technological advancements that, paradoxically, led humanity to its decline.
As Binder said,
“The Absolved doesn’t purport to provide answers, only to detail the unsustainability of a system that does not work for the majority of the people it serves.”
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book.
July 27, 2018
When I started reading this novel, I was not sure if I wouldn’t stop reading it after a few pages. I'm not fond of serial philanderers or men who hang out all the time in bars, rather than looking after their family while claiming that they love it immensely. And this is precisely the portrait that the author gives us of Henri, his MC and a wealthy physician, one of the exceptions who still have a job.
But that was before I realized that this novel is a social criticism in the form of a techno-dystopia. His MC’s flaws are intentional. They mirror those of humankind. The author anticipates that, if we go on as we started, there will soon be only the machines that will work (automation, artificial intelligence and other technological advancements) and most of us, humans, will have become the Absolved, those who aren’t forced to work because we'd be absolved of the citizen duty to contribute to the nation's wealth and well-being, but who are consequently idle, poor and without a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment.
This novel reminded me a little of The Matrix, as in both stories the human species become entirely dependent on the Machine (computers, robots, etc.) to cater to all its needs and only a few people are sufficiently conscious to understand that their "leisure society" is actually a society of depressive slaves, “victims to boredom and vice”, as predicts Binder.
The author presents us with a funny version of the last American election; a candidate from a radical fringe party called the Luddites is calling for an end to the “Divine Rights of Machines.” And most of the Absolved thus believe to elect a savior, who will go back to old values and provide them with jobs, wealth and happiness.
Meanwhile, two Luddite sympathizers, whom Henri has befriended at his local bar, frame him for an anti-technology terrorist act. The prospect of Henri’s salvation comes at the cost of foregoing his guiding principles in life: not to rebel against the machine and risk to lose his job. He is then given the opportunity to become a hero or villain. And it's where the funny, fast-paced action starts.
Henri hopes that this new vision for the world will prove better than the technological advancements that, paradoxically, led humanity to its decline.
As Binder said, “The Absolved doesn’t purport to provide answers, only to detail the unsustainability of a system that does not work for the majority of the people it serves.”
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book.
But that was before I realized that this novel is a social criticism in the form of a techno-dystopia. His MC’s flaws are intentional. They mirror those of humankind. The author anticipates that, if we go on as we started, there will soon be only the machines that will work (automation, artificial intelligence and other technological advancements) and most of us, humans, will have become the Absolved, those who aren’t forced to work because we'd be absolved of the citizen duty to contribute to the nation's wealth and well-being, but who are consequently idle, poor and without a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment.
This novel reminded me a little of The Matrix, as in both stories the human species become entirely dependent on the Machine (computers, robots, etc.) to cater to all its needs and only a few people are sufficiently conscious to understand that their "leisure society" is actually a society of depressive slaves, “victims to boredom and vice”, as predicts Binder.
The author presents us with a funny version of the last American election; a candidate from a radical fringe party called the Luddites is calling for an end to the “Divine Rights of Machines.” And most of the Absolved thus believe to elect a savior, who will go back to old values and provide them with jobs, wealth and happiness.
Meanwhile, two Luddite sympathizers, whom Henri has befriended at his local bar, frame him for an anti-technology terrorist act. The prospect of Henri’s salvation comes at the cost of foregoing his guiding principles in life: not to rebel against the machine and risk to lose his job. He is then given the opportunity to become a hero or villain. And it's where the funny, fast-paced action starts.
Henri hopes that this new vision for the world will prove better than the technological advancements that, paradoxically, led humanity to its decline.
As Binder said, “The Absolved doesn’t purport to provide answers, only to detail the unsustainability of a system that does not work for the majority of the people it serves.”
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book.
July 14, 2018
It's the year 2036 in Matthew Binder's
The Absolved
and humanity is living a questionable existence, one where automation has rendered human labor nearly obsolete. The "Absolved" refers to the majority of humankind who no longer have jobs. Instead, they are given a minimum wage on which to live and provided a home, food, and minimal comforts.
The story is narrated by Henri, a wealthy oncologist who has yet to be absorbed by machinery. He has a beautiful wife, Rachel, and a young son. He also has a woman on the side named Taylor who hopes to attend medical school someday. Henri is shielded from the reality of the Absolved for the most part, but every now and then he gets a thrill by hanging out in a dive bar frequented by many of the Absolved.
I had a lot of hope for this book because I enjoy speculative fiction and the premise sounded promising, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. For one, 2036 really didn't feel that far off from today's society; it felt like an amplified version of it, but nothing too drastically different for me to feel as though I was in an entirely unfamiliar and new world. I expect speculative fiction to present creative twists on the world as we know it, especially when it is set only 20 years from today's society. This world, for me, was too close for comfort. For instance, healthcare is one of the few areas of life that are not dictated by machinery. However, healthcare mandates passed down by politicians have resulted in universal healthcare that is based upon cost-benefit analyses of human life. I'd say this practice is very much alive here in the United States, where insurance coverage often dictates the care a patient is able to obtain.
The characters also left me wanting. Henri is self-motivated and narcissistic, engaging and indulging in anything that pleasures him despite who it might hurt. His wife, who has some fairly odd behaviors (such as dressing up as Snow White??!), is also superficial, obsessed with her looks, decorating their house, and her son's education. The characters' self-worth is entirely wrapped up in their money.
I kept trying to figure out what the plot was and how the characters would transform, but I was disinterested by the time the author got to it. Henri does experience a moral reckoning, but those around him fail to experience the same transformation. I felt that women, in particular, were painted as one-dimensional characters who were out for themselves or as objects of sexual desire: there is so much more to humanity (and women!) than this.
Thank you to the author, Matthew Binder, the publisher, Black Spot Books, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of The Absolved.
For more of my book reviews visit me here:
Book Review Blog | Twitter | Instagram
The story is narrated by Henri, a wealthy oncologist who has yet to be absorbed by machinery. He has a beautiful wife, Rachel, and a young son. He also has a woman on the side named Taylor who hopes to attend medical school someday. Henri is shielded from the reality of the Absolved for the most part, but every now and then he gets a thrill by hanging out in a dive bar frequented by many of the Absolved.
I had a lot of hope for this book because I enjoy speculative fiction and the premise sounded promising, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. For one, 2036 really didn't feel that far off from today's society; it felt like an amplified version of it, but nothing too drastically different for me to feel as though I was in an entirely unfamiliar and new world. I expect speculative fiction to present creative twists on the world as we know it, especially when it is set only 20 years from today's society. This world, for me, was too close for comfort. For instance, healthcare is one of the few areas of life that are not dictated by machinery. However, healthcare mandates passed down by politicians have resulted in universal healthcare that is based upon cost-benefit analyses of human life. I'd say this practice is very much alive here in the United States, where insurance coverage often dictates the care a patient is able to obtain.
The characters also left me wanting. Henri is self-motivated and narcissistic, engaging and indulging in anything that pleasures him despite who it might hurt. His wife, who has some fairly odd behaviors (such as dressing up as Snow White??!), is also superficial, obsessed with her looks, decorating their house, and her son's education. The characters' self-worth is entirely wrapped up in their money.
I kept trying to figure out what the plot was and how the characters would transform, but I was disinterested by the time the author got to it. Henri does experience a moral reckoning, but those around him fail to experience the same transformation. I felt that women, in particular, were painted as one-dimensional characters who were out for themselves or as objects of sexual desire: there is so much more to humanity (and women!) than this.
Thank you to the author, Matthew Binder, the publisher, Black Spot Books, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of The Absolved.
For more of my book reviews visit me here:
Book Review Blog | Twitter | Instagram
April 18, 2019
I had a realization while reading this book: I hate reading about stupid characters. I can handle unlikable or flawed, which certainly both apply to The Absolved's Henri, but his sexism, egotism, and most of all his stupidity made this book an unpleasant read. Unnatural dialogue, unnecessary crudity, and an unfocused plot did the rest of the work.
I honestly had a lot of problems with the book. I felt at times it was almost trying to be an overt satire, but it didn't quite reach that level. The timeframe felt wrong to me - Henri was born in 1990, which means he would be 28 years old *now*, and his description of his childhood/young adult experiences didn't ring true. I had a sense of the author saying "Look what I can do!" every time another facet of society was revealed, showing how quirks of our current culture were taken to the extreme. But it wasn't realistic to me. A really good near-future dystopia should scare me when thinking how close we could be. This book didn't rise to the challenge.
Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing an advance copy for review.
I honestly had a lot of problems with the book. I felt at times it was almost trying to be an overt satire, but it didn't quite reach that level. The timeframe felt wrong to me - Henri was born in 1990, which means he would be 28 years old *now*, and his description of his childhood/young adult experiences didn't ring true. I had a sense of the author saying "Look what I can do!" every time another facet of society was revealed, showing how quirks of our current culture were taken to the extreme. But it wasn't realistic to me. A really good near-future dystopia should scare me when thinking how close we could be. This book didn't rise to the challenge.
Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing an advance copy for review.
November 30, 2018
THE ABSOLVED, by Matthew Binder, follows Henri, an oncologist, in near future dystopia where automation is overwhelming the world, particularly on the labor front. Most people live as the Absolved class of people, where jobs they can do are obsolete and they are given a government-issued income that is enough to survive on but leaving them aimless and unmotivated to do much of anything. Henri is among the elite, he still has a job, and one that pays well. He lives the decadent life, but as the book progresses, Henri come to find out there is more to life that money, power, and status.
Binder has created a world that is a plausible (although 2036 is a little sooner than I would think) reality that society will have to struggle with. Binder tackles issues of class, political division, automation vs humanity, amongst others and provides a thought-provoking look at where our world could be in the future. Using a heavily flawed elite member of this world was a shift from most dystopian novels, where the reader is attached to mostly the struggling class, and I found it refreshingly different. Henri, protagonist of the book, was hard to relate to though. Several times, I found myself thinking that I was supposed to feel sorry for him or agree with his travels toward his internal truths, but I just didn't find him likable enough. It didn't seem like he loved much of anything and resented almost everything. And maybe that's what Binder is hinting at, that if we are not careful, humanity's passion for life will be squashed too.
Binder's commentary on society is strong and clear and at the same leaves the reader wondering what they would want to see our society become. I enjoyed THE ABSOLVED and I am interested in reading Binder's other work.
Thank you to Black Spot Books, Matthew Binder, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Binder has created a world that is a plausible (although 2036 is a little sooner than I would think) reality that society will have to struggle with. Binder tackles issues of class, political division, automation vs humanity, amongst others and provides a thought-provoking look at where our world could be in the future. Using a heavily flawed elite member of this world was a shift from most dystopian novels, where the reader is attached to mostly the struggling class, and I found it refreshingly different. Henri, protagonist of the book, was hard to relate to though. Several times, I found myself thinking that I was supposed to feel sorry for him or agree with his travels toward his internal truths, but I just didn't find him likable enough. It didn't seem like he loved much of anything and resented almost everything. And maybe that's what Binder is hinting at, that if we are not careful, humanity's passion for life will be squashed too.
Binder's commentary on society is strong and clear and at the same leaves the reader wondering what they would want to see our society become. I enjoyed THE ABSOLVED and I am interested in reading Binder's other work.
Thank you to Black Spot Books, Matthew Binder, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
December 31, 2018
A fun read, and a clever satire, but you do have to suspend your disbelief quite frequently. For example, the idea that police officers would take the word of two black scalpers against a wealthy white doctor is a touch too absurd to make sense, especially since so much of the book is impressively on point. Trivializing hate crimes and the deadly racism within the police force goes too far, even in satire.
What I did appreciate about this book is that no one is truly safe. No political belief, no popular stance, no human failing is spared and, like any good satirist, Binder doesn't appear to take himself too seriously.
I enjoyed myself, I laughed a lot, and I asked myself searching questions about work, progress, and my own personal relationship to the technology that permeates every corner of my life. I could poke plenty of holes, but this book offers an entertaining thought experiment, if nothing else, and there's a lot to be said for that.
What I did appreciate about this book is that no one is truly safe. No political belief, no popular stance, no human failing is spared and, like any good satirist, Binder doesn't appear to take himself too seriously.
I enjoyed myself, I laughed a lot, and I asked myself searching questions about work, progress, and my own personal relationship to the technology that permeates every corner of my life. I could poke plenty of holes, but this book offers an entertaining thought experiment, if nothing else, and there's a lot to be said for that.
December 3, 2018
The Absolved is a darkly comedic glimpse into the near future of artificial intelligence and artifical humanity. While the premise might sound like your run of the mill scifi dystopia, the uniquely humorous voice of Mr. Binder makes it something else entirely. The protagonist Henri is the inevitable result of a child whose parents are steeped in the current social media world. Henri's shallow selfishness could be off putting to some readers but he is a wonderful vehicle for Mr. Binder's always humorous and biting commentary on the efficient yet soulless future of an automated America.
December 22, 2018
I have followed Binder for close to a decade. "The Absolved" is his most mature novel and piece of literature to date. If you want a better understanding of how the future will evolve and human behavior will decline then read this book. It isn't so much a cautionary tale or story of human triumph but rather a looking glass into our soon-to-be reality. Moreover, you will be entertained and want to turn the page. His writing style isn't fluffy and filled with unnecessary adjectives, so he may be a writing instructor along your reading journey. Buy the book and enjoy yourself!
Want to read
January 12, 2019I won a copy of this book from goodreads. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was captivated by it. I was never bored in parts. I started the book January 9th and finished January 11th. It is quick read and well worth your time. I highly recommend to any avid reader. Or just you sci-fi fans. Thank you Matthew Binder for a wonderful book. Debbie LaCoste
November 18, 2018
The Absolved by Matthew Binder is set in a new too distant future where technology has taken over so much of our lives, that most of society has no reason to work. It's upon this backdrop that the book's protagonist, an oncologist, tries to figure out his place in the world and what he wants for himself and his family.
I received a pre-publication copy of this book for review purposes. Overall, I enjoyed the book. Although the plot is linear, I had no idea where the book was going at any given time. When I look at where the book started and where the book ended, I definitely wouldn't have guessed where the author was heading. I enjoyed the majority of the book, but I do think the ending was a bit awkward and seemed to come almost out of left field (don't worry, no spoilers).
As far as writing, I found the book well written. I definitely think this book is a good read and would encourage it for anyone who likes reading about dystopian futures that are eerily way too close to where things could actually be heading.
I received a pre-publication copy of this book for review purposes. Overall, I enjoyed the book. Although the plot is linear, I had no idea where the book was going at any given time. When I look at where the book started and where the book ended, I definitely wouldn't have guessed where the author was heading. I enjoyed the majority of the book, but I do think the ending was a bit awkward and seemed to come almost out of left field (don't worry, no spoilers).
As far as writing, I found the book well written. I definitely think this book is a good read and would encourage it for anyone who likes reading about dystopian futures that are eerily way too close to where things could actually be heading.
Read
June 17, 2023Tragically realistic and cringingly close to home, Matthew Binder's near-dystopian sci-fi about an unlovable protagonist struggling to find his place when the human condition has reached its worse provides a sharp look into humanity's possible future--and a glimmer of hope that if someone like Henri can muddle his way through, then perhaps there is hope for all of us. Or perhaps not.
February 20, 2019
Matthew Binder deserves a lot of credit for what he has attempted to do with The Absolved. Like any good piece of speculative fiction, even though it takes place in the future (the near future), it is really more about what is happening today. And what is happening today is that we have an unlikely autocrat elected to the highest office in the land on the strength of a working class that feels it has been left behind by the socio-economic elite.
Using social satire and dark comedy, Binder envisions a near future where automation renders much of the population unemployed and unemployable, "absolved" of having to work by a government that then ensures that they have basic income, health care and the like -- everything except any sense of pride, self-respect, or self-fulfillment. Meanwhile, those that are still employed, like our main character Henri, an oncologist, and his boss Serena, a billionaire CEO, are privileged and wealthy beyond belief -- except that they too lack any sense of self-respect and are so bored out of their minds that they have nothing better to do than sleep around.
There are two problems, however, with Binder's dystopian vision, one just a minor quibble possibly unique to me, the other a major obstacle to anyone and everyone, at least according to some of the other reviews I've read. This big issue is that every character, especially Henri, is (in a word) detestable. I get that that's exactly the point, that Henri is so privileged and bored that he is, uh, detestable. But since we're in his head in the first-person present-tense, we have to live his detestable life in our mind's narration. That's difficult, it's not very much fun, it's a good reason to give up on this book in the early going.
I read it all the way through, since I agreed to do review it in exchange for the advance reader's copy I got from NetGalley. I'm glad I did, because it does get better, and it does come together -- although it comes together just barely, as there is in reality very little going on from start to finish other than Henri slowly and gradually bumbling his way out of his cushy life and into the life of the absolved. The ending is far-fetched (except in one important respect that reflects our present reality), but is nevertheless in line with the social satire.
The other problem that may be unique to me is that I've read this book before -- a dark satire of a world where automation has rendered the working class obsolete, segregated into their own slums and brimming with dissatisfaction and eventually rebellion, while the rich privileged class live a life of luxury in a world of their own, where the main character loses his life of privilege (and his beautiful wife) and joins the working class revolt. It's called Player Piano, and it was written by one Kurt Vonnegut in the 1950s -- I just reread it a few months ago. Kudos to Binder for trying, but that's too much for anyone to live up to.
There is an unexpected upside to the Player Piano parallel. Some of what Vonnegut was satirizing 60+ years ago has come to pass -- mainly, the economic inequalities that have wracked our nation for its entire history -- but not to the calamitous degree he envisioned. Vonnegut could not foresee that Luddite jobs rendered obsolete by industrial automation would be replaced by more rewarding tech jobs, and so we don't have large swaths of idle, rebellious working folks (only small pockets, which is a persistent problem, but on a much different scale).
Similarly, Binder's vision fails to imagine what may rise to take the place of jobs that may be rendered obsolete by robotics and AI. History teaches us that something always replaces the obsolete -- no one is mourning all the Kodak employees who became obsolete due to phone-based digital photography or the toll booth employees sidelined by EZPass, etc. (somehow, only coal workers, doing one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs ever, are lamented, but that's strictly political).
Especially since Binder's world has been ravaged by global warming (as may be our own). Notwithstanding that he doesn't delve into this problem as much as he attacks income inequality, what he really misses out on is that global warming will increasingly drive job creation as its effects increasingly require mitigation. In the world he envisions, especially in the United States, people are never going to be absolved of the need to work when there is that much work to be done just in combating global warming.
So there you see the virtue of The Absolved, it definitely gets you thinking about these issues. But having to get through the mind of an awful character like Henri is going to turn people off. I admire Binder for focusing his world-building and social satire through the lens of character -- unfortunately, the nature of his character makes that really difficult to take.
Using social satire and dark comedy, Binder envisions a near future where automation renders much of the population unemployed and unemployable, "absolved" of having to work by a government that then ensures that they have basic income, health care and the like -- everything except any sense of pride, self-respect, or self-fulfillment. Meanwhile, those that are still employed, like our main character Henri, an oncologist, and his boss Serena, a billionaire CEO, are privileged and wealthy beyond belief -- except that they too lack any sense of self-respect and are so bored out of their minds that they have nothing better to do than sleep around.
There are two problems, however, with Binder's dystopian vision, one just a minor quibble possibly unique to me, the other a major obstacle to anyone and everyone, at least according to some of the other reviews I've read. This big issue is that every character, especially Henri, is (in a word) detestable. I get that that's exactly the point, that Henri is so privileged and bored that he is, uh, detestable. But since we're in his head in the first-person present-tense, we have to live his detestable life in our mind's narration. That's difficult, it's not very much fun, it's a good reason to give up on this book in the early going.
I read it all the way through, since I agreed to do review it in exchange for the advance reader's copy I got from NetGalley. I'm glad I did, because it does get better, and it does come together -- although it comes together just barely, as there is in reality very little going on from start to finish other than Henri slowly and gradually bumbling his way out of his cushy life and into the life of the absolved. The ending is far-fetched (except in one important respect that reflects our present reality), but is nevertheless in line with the social satire.
The other problem that may be unique to me is that I've read this book before -- a dark satire of a world where automation has rendered the working class obsolete, segregated into their own slums and brimming with dissatisfaction and eventually rebellion, while the rich privileged class live a life of luxury in a world of their own, where the main character loses his life of privilege (and his beautiful wife) and joins the working class revolt. It's called Player Piano, and it was written by one Kurt Vonnegut in the 1950s -- I just reread it a few months ago. Kudos to Binder for trying, but that's too much for anyone to live up to.
There is an unexpected upside to the Player Piano parallel. Some of what Vonnegut was satirizing 60+ years ago has come to pass -- mainly, the economic inequalities that have wracked our nation for its entire history -- but not to the calamitous degree he envisioned. Vonnegut could not foresee that Luddite jobs rendered obsolete by industrial automation would be replaced by more rewarding tech jobs, and so we don't have large swaths of idle, rebellious working folks (only small pockets, which is a persistent problem, but on a much different scale).
Similarly, Binder's vision fails to imagine what may rise to take the place of jobs that may be rendered obsolete by robotics and AI. History teaches us that something always replaces the obsolete -- no one is mourning all the Kodak employees who became obsolete due to phone-based digital photography or the toll booth employees sidelined by EZPass, etc. (somehow, only coal workers, doing one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs ever, are lamented, but that's strictly political).
Especially since Binder's world has been ravaged by global warming (as may be our own). Notwithstanding that he doesn't delve into this problem as much as he attacks income inequality, what he really misses out on is that global warming will increasingly drive job creation as its effects increasingly require mitigation. In the world he envisions, especially in the United States, people are never going to be absolved of the need to work when there is that much work to be done just in combating global warming.
So there you see the virtue of The Absolved, it definitely gets you thinking about these issues. But having to get through the mind of an awful character like Henri is going to turn people off. I admire Binder for focusing his world-building and social satire through the lens of character -- unfortunately, the nature of his character makes that really difficult to take.
January 20, 2020
In most dystopian fiction, the story highlights how a single current trend might play out if its logic unfolded in a straight line into the future. For example, Kurt Vonnegut explores the absurdity of automation run wild in Player Piano. Margaret Atwood reveals the corruption at the heart of right-wing Christianity in The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World lampoons the potential of in vitro fertilization in a fascist society. And of course there are many other examples. Many fewer are grounded in the full range of contemporary ills. But Matthew Binder takes a crack at that approach in The Absolved. I wish I could say he succeeds.
In The Absolved, we witness the disintegration of the United States in 2036. Robotics and artificial intelligence have eliminated most gainful employment, driving even such protected professionals as oncologists out of work. Economic inequality has left all but a handful of employed and wealthy Americans on the dole (“Basic Income”), members of those who are Absolved from work — or, worse yet, the Futile, left to fend for themselves on the margins of society. The overwhelming majority of Americans spend eight hours every day mesmerized by the sports events and other entertainment they view on holograms projected from chips embedded in their fingers. And climate change has gone wild, leaving San Francisco sweltering in the 90s in the summer and no longer cold as Mark Twain’s allegedly insisted. All this might have been intriguing if it had been more thoughtfully illustrated.
A dystopian novel that runs off the rails
Unfortunately, The Absolved appears to be a satirical presentation of these circumstances rather than a serious one. I say “appears,” because I think I was supposed to laugh at the absurdly exaggerated portraits of the story’s principal characters. However, the book simply isn’t funny. In fact, I may have smiled once or twice, possibly even chuckled once. But nearly all Binder’s characters are odious human beings. Most of what they do and say provokes groans and grimaces, not laughter.
The author seems to have been reaching for insight. For instance, he writes about “An entire generation of people whose explicit aim is to never subject themselves to a genuine or authentic experience, only synthetic ones.” And, later, he notes, “The twenty-first century, with all its science and technology, has provided us with a maximum of choice and a minimum of meaning.” Which is all fine as far as it goes. But this story doesn’t convey anything like what I could consider meaning, and its characters don’t seek, much less realize, authentic experience. Too bad.
In The Absolved, we witness the disintegration of the United States in 2036. Robotics and artificial intelligence have eliminated most gainful employment, driving even such protected professionals as oncologists out of work. Economic inequality has left all but a handful of employed and wealthy Americans on the dole (“Basic Income”), members of those who are Absolved from work — or, worse yet, the Futile, left to fend for themselves on the margins of society. The overwhelming majority of Americans spend eight hours every day mesmerized by the sports events and other entertainment they view on holograms projected from chips embedded in their fingers. And climate change has gone wild, leaving San Francisco sweltering in the 90s in the summer and no longer cold as Mark Twain’s allegedly insisted. All this might have been intriguing if it had been more thoughtfully illustrated.
A dystopian novel that runs off the rails
Unfortunately, The Absolved appears to be a satirical presentation of these circumstances rather than a serious one. I say “appears,” because I think I was supposed to laugh at the absurdly exaggerated portraits of the story’s principal characters. However, the book simply isn’t funny. In fact, I may have smiled once or twice, possibly even chuckled once. But nearly all Binder’s characters are odious human beings. Most of what they do and say provokes groans and grimaces, not laughter.
The author seems to have been reaching for insight. For instance, he writes about “An entire generation of people whose explicit aim is to never subject themselves to a genuine or authentic experience, only synthetic ones.” And, later, he notes, “The twenty-first century, with all its science and technology, has provided us with a maximum of choice and a minimum of meaning.” Which is all fine as far as it goes. But this story doesn’t convey anything like what I could consider meaning, and its characters don’t seek, much less realize, authentic experience. Too bad.
June 7, 2019
Matthew Binder’s The Absolved is clearly a parable of what may lie ahead for humankind’s future.
In the not too distant future, at a time when machines are taking over and making humans increasingly obsolete, Henri is a wealthy physician, who has a comfortable life with his wife and son. Perhaps due to his elevated station, he’s flippant about everything, including his relationship. He’s a serial cheater, a bit obsessed with his current young mistress, Taylor.
Henri has always preferred things a la main, spending time outdoors, performing manual labor… but he’s so comfortable with the way things are that he hasn’t questioned humans' reliance on automation.
National Healthcare, and along with it a tool that puts a literal value on each human’s life, changes everything for him.
Henri is put on probation for having higher costs per patient than his colleague, and chooses to resign in exchange for a favor for Taylor. Now, having no job and no purpose, his relationship with his family becomes more tenuous.
Henri has joined the ranks of The Absolved, those who are no longer expected to work. They receive Basic Income and are reliant on the government for their existence, but this is not a life to aspire to. There is a general feeling of malaise in The Absolved, and having more time for the arts and creative pursuits isn’t cutting it.
To complicate matters further, it’s election season, and there is a movement to return to an age before machines, with one faction willing to resort to violence in their efforts. Henri is framed for a terrorist attack by this group shortly after he’s made redundant, and through the entire ordeal, he changes his perspective on the future.
This novel may be fictional, but it’s a thoughtful prediction of realistic healthcare and (so many other) current policy issues and how they will influence the future. Binder uses a witty plot — and a glib main character — to make readers consider these policies from a different perspective.
Overall, The Absolved is thoughtfully written and interestingly presented story that engages those readers who are willing to consider policy from all angles.
In the not too distant future, at a time when machines are taking over and making humans increasingly obsolete, Henri is a wealthy physician, who has a comfortable life with his wife and son. Perhaps due to his elevated station, he’s flippant about everything, including his relationship. He’s a serial cheater, a bit obsessed with his current young mistress, Taylor.
Henri has always preferred things a la main, spending time outdoors, performing manual labor… but he’s so comfortable with the way things are that he hasn’t questioned humans' reliance on automation.
National Healthcare, and along with it a tool that puts a literal value on each human’s life, changes everything for him.
Henri is put on probation for having higher costs per patient than his colleague, and chooses to resign in exchange for a favor for Taylor. Now, having no job and no purpose, his relationship with his family becomes more tenuous.
Henri has joined the ranks of The Absolved, those who are no longer expected to work. They receive Basic Income and are reliant on the government for their existence, but this is not a life to aspire to. There is a general feeling of malaise in The Absolved, and having more time for the arts and creative pursuits isn’t cutting it.
To complicate matters further, it’s election season, and there is a movement to return to an age before machines, with one faction willing to resort to violence in their efforts. Henri is framed for a terrorist attack by this group shortly after he’s made redundant, and through the entire ordeal, he changes his perspective on the future.
This novel may be fictional, but it’s a thoughtful prediction of realistic healthcare and (so many other) current policy issues and how they will influence the future. Binder uses a witty plot — and a glib main character — to make readers consider these policies from a different perspective.
Overall, The Absolved is thoughtfully written and interestingly presented story that engages those readers who are willing to consider policy from all angles.
March 28, 2019
I've long been fascinated by AI and the possibilities of robotics and technology of the future. Just in my lifetime, massive strides have been taken, and I can only imagine what the world will look like in another 20 or so years. I recently read "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" by Yuval Noah Harari, which is a study and look into the future of AI and the potential it has on our lives, jobs, personal lives, religions, etc. It was an incredibly interesting and anxiety-inducing read.
"The Absolved" felt to me like Harari's book put to fiction. Matthew Binder incorporated several of the elements that Harari mentioned, such as technology diagnosing medical patients rather than human doctors, or AI creating pop hits based on the chords studies show are most pleasing to our ears. It was cool to see some of this not-so-future world put into story-form. I just wish I had liked the main character at all.
Henri's a butt, plain and simple. His attitude about his marriage and his opinions on fidelity were pretty shady if I'm being honest. He claims that the dalliances that he has with other women strengthen his marital bond and renews his fidelity. Excuse me? If it renewed your fidelity so much, then why do you still feel the need to cheat on your wife?
I'm very a-sympathetic toward characters that are terrible or have affairs, so it was difficult for me to become invested or care about Henri at all. Simple as that.
An interesting look into a possible future, but the unflattering main character was a big blow.
An e-copy of this book was sent to me by Black Spot Books and Smith Publicity via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
"The Absolved" felt to me like Harari's book put to fiction. Matthew Binder incorporated several of the elements that Harari mentioned, such as technology diagnosing medical patients rather than human doctors, or AI creating pop hits based on the chords studies show are most pleasing to our ears. It was cool to see some of this not-so-future world put into story-form. I just wish I had liked the main character at all.
Henri's a butt, plain and simple. His attitude about his marriage and his opinions on fidelity were pretty shady if I'm being honest. He claims that the dalliances that he has with other women strengthen his marital bond and renews his fidelity. Excuse me? If it renewed your fidelity so much, then why do you still feel the need to cheat on your wife?
I'm very a-sympathetic toward characters that are terrible or have affairs, so it was difficult for me to become invested or care about Henri at all. Simple as that.
An interesting look into a possible future, but the unflattering main character was a big blow.
An e-copy of this book was sent to me by Black Spot Books and Smith Publicity via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
June 27, 2019
Disclosure: I received this book complimentary for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
I love a good dystopian novel. So, when I received an email from Black Spot Books’ PR person, giving me access to many of their books to review, I chose, without hesitation, The Absolved by Matthew Binder.
A dystopian novel set in the near future (2036), the story eerily foretells what the future could look like if we continued to develop technologies that replaced human occupations. In 2036, this has already happened. Through the main character Henri, we witness the consequences of our overreliance on technology, and it ain’t pretty.
Black Spot Books is an independent small press publishing house that focuses on printing speculative fiction by US-based authors.
MY THOUGHTS ON THE ABSOLVED
I had two reactions while reading this novel:
1 - the political dystopian world the author created is fantastic and foreboding
2 - character development is lacking in many ways.
The way this book was written reminded me of the type of stories that make great film noir movies, such as Sin City. It’s filled with pessimism and menace about our future, yet there is still a little inkling of humanity left.
What If Robots Actually Took Over?
“Unfortunately, there’s just no way to make a human as productive as a robot. It’s almost hard to remember now, but there was a time when a person could make a decent living doing all sorts of different things: construction worker, fireman, dog groomer. But the list of occupations that earn a livable wage is shrinking all the time”
Matthew Binder’s dystopian story is anxiety-ridden if you enjoy your freedom to do what you will with your life. At the beginning of the book, the main character, Henri, is lucky to be in one of the few occupations that haven’t been completely replaced by robots – oncology. For much of the rest of the population, they are unemployed and lost.
This sounds like a nightmare to me that a government, though fictional, would allow and promote this. Humanity is abandoned in the novel. Without purpose, a.k.a. work, humans became unhappy and discontented.
One group of people in the novel, known as The Futile, are the lowest of society. Before robots, they were the panhandlers of society, collecting bottles and cans to earn enough to get by. However, in the novel, they can’t even do that since robots collect recyclables and beggars are banned from the streets.
Is this a cautionary tale about the direction we’re going? I would argue yes.
A Post-Trump World
There are some instances in the novel that hint at the current political climate in the United States and its aftermath in 2036.
“Ten years ago, when The Wall came down, a surge of immigrants from Mexico and Central America poured across the border. Spanish is actually now the predominant language in more than fifty percent of California’s homes. And with this influx, many of the touchstones of Latin sports culture have also made their way to the States. The most welcome of these are the “sports songs” and “chants”. In perfect harmony, the entire metro is loudly singing one tune after the other. Julian knows every lyric, and sings delightful Spanish accent.”
This eerily reminds me of Donald Trump’s priority to build a wall to stop illegal immigration from Mexico. In the novel, by 2036, apparently the wall is down and Latin culture integrates with American culture. I can’t help but wonder if the author was putting a finger at Trump, or if it’s just a coincidence.
Change Gone too Far?
Oddly, it’s not just robots replacing jobs that are threatening humanity, it’s also the ignorance and laws put in place by their own government.
Throughout the novel, we see a competitive political climate between opposing parties, with divided support from the public. There is the party that supports the move to integrate more technology, which is unpopular with the lower public, and a party who wants to overthrow all robots.
It’s not surprising that there is political tension. In 2036, probably to promote the new era of technology, it is illegal for humans to do any labor.
“It’s not uncommon, in fact, for endangerment charges to be brought against any parent who exposes their child to labor, if there is so much as a modicum of danger involved”
Could you imagine? I know I wouldn’t be able to put up with a government who infringed on my life as strongly as this fictional one has.
Despite the residents’ objections towards technology encroaching into every aspect of their lives, the government moves forward with the way they want the new world to be.
I think the lesson here is that progress isn’t always positive, governments don’t always have their peoples interests in mind, and we need to put down our smartphones every so often to look around at the world and appreciate it.
Lack-Luster Characters
I mentioned earlier that one of the reactions I had to The Absolved was its underwhelming characters. If anything this book should be read for the story, the dystopian world the characters are set in, and not their development. The characters fell flat in my opinion, but it didn’t ruin the book for me.
MY RATING OF THE ABSOLVED
I gave The Absolved 3 out of 5 stars. The dystopian narrative was the best part of the novel, however, I didn’t fall in love with the characters, so it lost two stars.
As a book published by an independent publisher, I was surprised that I enjoyed it. I don’t normally read books by authors I’ve never heard of and this book has changed my opinion on that.
I love a good dystopian novel. So, when I received an email from Black Spot Books’ PR person, giving me access to many of their books to review, I chose, without hesitation, The Absolved by Matthew Binder.
A dystopian novel set in the near future (2036), the story eerily foretells what the future could look like if we continued to develop technologies that replaced human occupations. In 2036, this has already happened. Through the main character Henri, we witness the consequences of our overreliance on technology, and it ain’t pretty.
Black Spot Books is an independent small press publishing house that focuses on printing speculative fiction by US-based authors.
MY THOUGHTS ON THE ABSOLVED
I had two reactions while reading this novel:
1 - the political dystopian world the author created is fantastic and foreboding
2 - character development is lacking in many ways.
The way this book was written reminded me of the type of stories that make great film noir movies, such as Sin City. It’s filled with pessimism and menace about our future, yet there is still a little inkling of humanity left.
What If Robots Actually Took Over?
“Unfortunately, there’s just no way to make a human as productive as a robot. It’s almost hard to remember now, but there was a time when a person could make a decent living doing all sorts of different things: construction worker, fireman, dog groomer. But the list of occupations that earn a livable wage is shrinking all the time”
Matthew Binder’s dystopian story is anxiety-ridden if you enjoy your freedom to do what you will with your life. At the beginning of the book, the main character, Henri, is lucky to be in one of the few occupations that haven’t been completely replaced by robots – oncology. For much of the rest of the population, they are unemployed and lost.
This sounds like a nightmare to me that a government, though fictional, would allow and promote this. Humanity is abandoned in the novel. Without purpose, a.k.a. work, humans became unhappy and discontented.
One group of people in the novel, known as The Futile, are the lowest of society. Before robots, they were the panhandlers of society, collecting bottles and cans to earn enough to get by. However, in the novel, they can’t even do that since robots collect recyclables and beggars are banned from the streets.
Is this a cautionary tale about the direction we’re going? I would argue yes.
A Post-Trump World
There are some instances in the novel that hint at the current political climate in the United States and its aftermath in 2036.
“Ten years ago, when The Wall came down, a surge of immigrants from Mexico and Central America poured across the border. Spanish is actually now the predominant language in more than fifty percent of California’s homes. And with this influx, many of the touchstones of Latin sports culture have also made their way to the States. The most welcome of these are the “sports songs” and “chants”. In perfect harmony, the entire metro is loudly singing one tune after the other. Julian knows every lyric, and sings delightful Spanish accent.”
This eerily reminds me of Donald Trump’s priority to build a wall to stop illegal immigration from Mexico. In the novel, by 2036, apparently the wall is down and Latin culture integrates with American culture. I can’t help but wonder if the author was putting a finger at Trump, or if it’s just a coincidence.
Change Gone too Far?
Oddly, it’s not just robots replacing jobs that are threatening humanity, it’s also the ignorance and laws put in place by their own government.
Throughout the novel, we see a competitive political climate between opposing parties, with divided support from the public. There is the party that supports the move to integrate more technology, which is unpopular with the lower public, and a party who wants to overthrow all robots.
It’s not surprising that there is political tension. In 2036, probably to promote the new era of technology, it is illegal for humans to do any labor.
“It’s not uncommon, in fact, for endangerment charges to be brought against any parent who exposes their child to labor, if there is so much as a modicum of danger involved”
Could you imagine? I know I wouldn’t be able to put up with a government who infringed on my life as strongly as this fictional one has.
Despite the residents’ objections towards technology encroaching into every aspect of their lives, the government moves forward with the way they want the new world to be.
I think the lesson here is that progress isn’t always positive, governments don’t always have their peoples interests in mind, and we need to put down our smartphones every so often to look around at the world and appreciate it.
Lack-Luster Characters
I mentioned earlier that one of the reactions I had to The Absolved was its underwhelming characters. If anything this book should be read for the story, the dystopian world the characters are set in, and not their development. The characters fell flat in my opinion, but it didn’t ruin the book for me.
MY RATING OF THE ABSOLVED
I gave The Absolved 3 out of 5 stars. The dystopian narrative was the best part of the novel, however, I didn’t fall in love with the characters, so it lost two stars.
As a book published by an independent publisher, I was surprised that I enjoyed it. I don’t normally read books by authors I’ve never heard of and this book has changed my opinion on that.
Read
March 23, 2019Interview with Matthew up on https://bit.ly/2unj8O2
Review: Henri is a middle-aged doctor, one of the few employed people left in the U.S, though the reader suspect his job might be in danger. The hospital administrator, Serena, keeps reducing staff. A large sector of the population, the Absolved are freed from doing any work and receive a guaranteed minimum income. Their days are spent watching sports on TV, or like Henri’s wife, Rachel, staying productive with charity work. Another contingent of people can’t register for the guaranteed income; they’re known as the Futile.
Political upheaval results as another election draws near; the liberal president who promised jobs has been unable to deliver, and a demagogue throws his hat in the ring for the highest office. However, Henri remains an ironic observer of society; he is too preoccupied by his affair with a failed medical student, his demanding wife and his shots of whisky at a dive bar to engage. That is, until he sacrifices his own career for his mistress, and his life beings to unravel.
Review: Henri is a middle-aged doctor, one of the few employed people left in the U.S, though the reader suspect his job might be in danger. The hospital administrator, Serena, keeps reducing staff. A large sector of the population, the Absolved are freed from doing any work and receive a guaranteed minimum income. Their days are spent watching sports on TV, or like Henri’s wife, Rachel, staying productive with charity work. Another contingent of people can’t register for the guaranteed income; they’re known as the Futile.
Political upheaval results as another election draws near; the liberal president who promised jobs has been unable to deliver, and a demagogue throws his hat in the ring for the highest office. However, Henri remains an ironic observer of society; he is too preoccupied by his affair with a failed medical student, his demanding wife and his shots of whisky at a dive bar to engage. That is, until he sacrifices his own career for his mistress, and his life beings to unravel.
March 27, 2022
this was a random recommendation that i’m very glad i went with. there is a lot to like about this book. firstly, i found it interesting how flawed the main character was. maybe i need to branch out more with my reading, but i’m used to the main character being the good guy who then has to deal with everyone else. not the case with this book. at least he was honest about his flaws and mostly self-aware so i enjoyed reading his rationalization and though process.
the subtle futurism (set in 2045 i think) meant only subtle differences in technology but the author thought through how we as a society may evolve given the widespread adoption of these techs like autonomous cars and ‘wearable’ surgically infused technology.
then there’s the massive social commentary portion of how AI has restructured the world with a massive portion of the world population (the absolved) permanently made redundant yet given a cushy stipend and free healthcare.
very creative yet quite believable.
highly recommend this subtle slow burn. especially if you liked Fight Club.
the subtle futurism (set in 2045 i think) meant only subtle differences in technology but the author thought through how we as a society may evolve given the widespread adoption of these techs like autonomous cars and ‘wearable’ surgically infused technology.
then there’s the massive social commentary portion of how AI has restructured the world with a massive portion of the world population (the absolved) permanently made redundant yet given a cushy stipend and free healthcare.
very creative yet quite believable.
highly recommend this subtle slow burn. especially if you liked Fight Club.
December 31, 2018
In THE ABSOLVED, author Matthew Binder creates a dystopian future seemingly not far from our soon to be reality. Binder’s witty, and often laugh out loud prose leads the reader through a dark tale encompassing fear in the day-to-day, desire, and self-reflection of the protagonist Henri. Henri’s journey of errors will make you tear your hair out in frustration but also empathize and see yourself in his actions. Binder writes in the style of Martin Amis and leaves you wanting more.
This is not simply a novel about a privileged white male, but instead a social exploration in technology’s hold over society. THE ABSOLVED will leave you asking yourself many questions about your own reliance on technology and the fear that our future may look exactly like how it is described on these pages.
This is not simply a novel about a privileged white male, but instead a social exploration in technology’s hold over society. THE ABSOLVED will leave you asking yourself many questions about your own reliance on technology and the fear that our future may look exactly like how it is described on these pages.
October 2, 2019
While I have to agree with some commenters' aversion to Henri, it feels as though the author wants us to be as uncomfortable as we are with him as the book progresses. The Absolved does not have pleasant characters, much as it doesn't portray a pleasant future. The fact that we are forced to follow Henri along in this deeply unsettling not-too-distant future setting is a risky, but successful choice made by Binder here. The book does feel a bit rushed towards the end, but again, it seems like a stylistic choice made by Binder to convey the sense of urgency felt by Henri. I've not read a book quite like The Absolved, and while every book has its faults, I was continuously eager to turn the page.
January 20, 2019
I love Binder’s writing style. There’s an air of arrogance to his protagonists (as with High in the Streets) yet I can’t help but root for them. Henri is flawed but underneath there is some inherent good in him. The story terrified me in its eerie foreshadowing of the possible direction of our country. The ending may seem abrupt but it left me hopeful that with a bit of enlightenment society has a chance at salvation.
July 15, 2023
Although the writing is solid, the main character feels like one of those people on trains bemoaning how phones means nobody interacts with others anymore. Couple that with a philosophy that's similar to the Unibomber manifesto, that technology has made us weak.
This book certainly makes you think, whether or not the thoughts are actually worthwhile or the ideas explored are good, is ???? Your decisions.
This book certainly makes you think, whether or not the thoughts are actually worthwhile or the ideas explored are good, is ???? Your decisions.
May 30, 2019
Interesting read.it reminded me of futuristic novels like 1984. Because it was written much more recently the story was more relatable than last works of a similar type.the ideas of the relationship between Man and technology in the future is more relevant in this work because it was written much more recently.
November 16, 2021
I love speculative stories set in the future since high tech is almost always present. And yes, this story explored some “what if’s” regarding technology. However, I wasn’t impressed that the story took the easy, stereotypical, and emotionally charged stance of “the robots are taking away our jobs!” It felt cliché to me, but I’m sure some readers will enjoy the high stakes excitement.
August 20, 2018
While the plot of this book is entirely different from Matthew's previous book, High in the Streets, it is no less enjoyable to read. With AI taking off and technology threatening jobs, this book couldn't be more relevant. It's a fast paced fun read that serves as a wake-up call.
March 31, 2020
Quick, fun and scary read! This is not my usual genre by any means, but I was completely enthralled throughout! If you like dystopian novels, this is a great read. The author makes you feel every emotion on the spectrum, but mostly nervous laughter! I highly recommend this book.
January 16, 2021
The description of the setting was really good. But it took way too long to know what the conflict was and then the end was rushed. The main character is very annoying and the character development overall was poor. Easy and quick read though
April 1, 2020
I just couldn’t get through this book. The main character is annoying and stupid and I just couldn’t...
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