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House Arrest: A Story of Liberation
This is a story of post-nuclear-war America in 2098.
The country is in ruin. Three cities in the Sacramento Valley, with relatively intact infrastructure, are trying to survive in drastically different ways. One is organized by its AI quantum computer and its sophisticated robots. It automates everything for maximum efficiency and human beings are left with no role in their city’s welfare. That leads to problems - without jobs to keep them occupied, people get bored, restless and destructive. Omega 1500, their computer, has to temporarily lock them up to protect them from each other. Once their problems are solved, they’ll have to deal with the other two cities. The big question is whether they learned from the past and understand what human happiness depends on.
“High-quality science fiction has always had the disturbing characteristic of appearing increasingly less like fiction and more like projected reality. The readers of Francis Mont’s House Arrest will taste this aspect first-hand, in a narrative that describes a future the outskirts of which are already present. The descriptions are top-class, rendering highly realistic settings, and the characters often appear disturbingly much like people you already know. A highly recommended novel for fans of science fiction, and a must-read for anyone concerned with the future of our societies.”
- Chris Angelis PhD in English literature..
The country is in ruin. Three cities in the Sacramento Valley, with relatively intact infrastructure, are trying to survive in drastically different ways. One is organized by its AI quantum computer and its sophisticated robots. It automates everything for maximum efficiency and human beings are left with no role in their city’s welfare. That leads to problems - without jobs to keep them occupied, people get bored, restless and destructive. Omega 1500, their computer, has to temporarily lock them up to protect them from each other. Once their problems are solved, they’ll have to deal with the other two cities. The big question is whether they learned from the past and understand what human happiness depends on.
“High-quality science fiction has always had the disturbing characteristic of appearing increasingly less like fiction and more like projected reality. The readers of Francis Mont’s House Arrest will taste this aspect first-hand, in a narrative that describes a future the outskirts of which are already present. The descriptions are top-class, rendering highly realistic settings, and the characters often appear disturbingly much like people you already know. A highly recommended novel for fans of science fiction, and a must-read for anyone concerned with the future of our societies.”
- Chris Angelis PhD in English literature..
- GenresFiction
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2018
4 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Francis Mont
17 books53 followersFrancis Mont has been living in Canada for the past 50 years, after he emigrated from his native Hungary where he studied science and received a degree in Theoretical Physics. Over the years he did research, application and teaching in Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. He is interested in profound questions, both in science and in social philosophy. He is a 'big picture' person, focusing on fundamental principles and the defining essence of the topic at hand. He also pursues independence and self-reliance to the best of his abilities, as his solar power system and year-around greenhouse demonstrate. He writes poetry, plays classical violin, dabbles at wood carving and has not yet stopped building the house where he and his wife and (currently) five cats live.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 10, 2018
House Arrest is based around one central premise. It’s the year 2098, and in a post-apocalyptic world, an AI unit has taken over running one of the few intact cities that remain, Oroville, California. The AI sees to all its human’s needs, and it becomes concerned about the rising levels of violence in town. Finally, it puts all the humans into lockdown because that’s the only way it can see to solve the problem.
Trevor, a former computer engineer, convinces the AI that the violence is due to humans being frustrated due to lack of worthy occupation. He persuades a band of friends to join them, and they set out to rediscover farming, while the former city council tries to find meaningful jobs for the humans left behind in the city.
The story contained too much straight exposition for my tastes, but overall, it was a worthwhile read, if spec fic interests you. The world building was thorough, and I enjoyed many of the descriptive passages. If you enjoy puzzling over what might come to pass, House Arrest may fit the bill.
Trevor, a former computer engineer, convinces the AI that the violence is due to humans being frustrated due to lack of worthy occupation. He persuades a band of friends to join them, and they set out to rediscover farming, while the former city council tries to find meaningful jobs for the humans left behind in the city.
The story contained too much straight exposition for my tastes, but overall, it was a worthwhile read, if spec fic interests you. The world building was thorough, and I enjoyed many of the descriptive passages. If you enjoy puzzling over what might come to pass, House Arrest may fit the bill.
June 25, 2020
This is a timely topic that touches on what I'm sure many of us are dealing with now as we are locked down wondering what the world will and should look like when we emerge. I find it interesting that this was written well before there could have been any inkling of what was to come. I think that made the questioning and answering even more profound, pointing out these are the deeper ideas that are always in our core. Who are we? What do we need to feel satisfied even when our needs are met? I loved the broad approach to different types needing different things, it was refreshing compared to the narrow-minded agree with me or you are wrong attitudes being thrust around currently.
The characters were well painted as they explored meanings. Trevor is a great protagonist who is thoughtful and comes across real. The reason for the examination was different than what we face currently, and that by the way was brilliant. Let me pause to say that the plot based around technology knowing what is best humans and leading with such a tight grip in itself makes for a great and creative story and one I could see happening, especially now as people have moved toward distance work, learning, and socializing.
I enjoyed the story as well as the ideas and imagine I'll be pondering it for a while to come.
The characters were well painted as they explored meanings. Trevor is a great protagonist who is thoughtful and comes across real. The reason for the examination was different than what we face currently, and that by the way was brilliant. Let me pause to say that the plot based around technology knowing what is best humans and leading with such a tight grip in itself makes for a great and creative story and one I could see happening, especially now as people have moved toward distance work, learning, and socializing.
I enjoyed the story as well as the ideas and imagine I'll be pondering it for a while to come.
July 8, 2019
This book poses pointed and thought-provoking questions as to how we as a society ought to organize ourselves, govern ourselves, discern those tasks and life pursuits to which we ought set ourselves.
The book could do with at another round of copyediting if not two. The clumsy structure of the prose itself, punctuated with more than enough semicolons to draw unwelcome attention to themselves, detracts from poignant and important themes. As do numerous instances where the author tells the reader about character traits, motivations and experiences that this reader feels ought to have been shown in more subtle and interesting ways. Dialogue is usually one good way to do just that, but readers may tire quickly of page after page of "As you know, Joe..." Sprinkled among other passages of exposition passing itself off as dialogue, in which characters say things to one another in ways that real people simply would not employ while speaking to one another. Opportunity after opportunity squandered for drama, conflict, character development. This reader also found the extensive use of both first- and third-person POV jarring, especially those instances where third person POV was used for the main character (who was otherwise exposited using first person POV.)
Other things that may take a reader out of the story include temporal inconsistencies regarding technology and character attitudes. The book takes place in 2098, but printers employing actual dead tree paper are ubiquitous. This reader would have expected screens instead. And what business do these characters have knowing about such a curious historical oddity as an adding machine? When a character speaks of a "mid-century bungalow," which century are they referring to exactly? Further, the main character demonstrates beliefs regarding gender roles more in line with someone who had grown up in 1950s-60s America--ill-suited, in this reader's estimation, to a young man coming of age in a dystopian last half of the 21st Century. This reader's suspension of disbelief also evaporated upon several circumstances coming to pass toward the end of the book, in aggregate appearing far too coincidental. Not to mention the heroes' deliverance of one of their own from mortal peril coming way too easily.
Readers would do well to peruse the author's bio before purchasing or reading this book. Those who share the author's interests in various subject matters will appreciate the detailed exposition given same. Those who do not, however, may well come away non-plussed by such exposition slowing the story's pacing to a crawl.
The book could do with at another round of copyediting if not two. The clumsy structure of the prose itself, punctuated with more than enough semicolons to draw unwelcome attention to themselves, detracts from poignant and important themes. As do numerous instances where the author tells the reader about character traits, motivations and experiences that this reader feels ought to have been shown in more subtle and interesting ways. Dialogue is usually one good way to do just that, but readers may tire quickly of page after page of "As you know, Joe..." Sprinkled among other passages of exposition passing itself off as dialogue, in which characters say things to one another in ways that real people simply would not employ while speaking to one another. Opportunity after opportunity squandered for drama, conflict, character development. This reader also found the extensive use of both first- and third-person POV jarring, especially those instances where third person POV was used for the main character (who was otherwise exposited using first person POV.)
Other things that may take a reader out of the story include temporal inconsistencies regarding technology and character attitudes. The book takes place in 2098, but printers employing actual dead tree paper are ubiquitous. This reader would have expected screens instead. And what business do these characters have knowing about such a curious historical oddity as an adding machine? When a character speaks of a "mid-century bungalow," which century are they referring to exactly? Further, the main character demonstrates beliefs regarding gender roles more in line with someone who had grown up in 1950s-60s America--ill-suited, in this reader's estimation, to a young man coming of age in a dystopian last half of the 21st Century. This reader's suspension of disbelief also evaporated upon several circumstances coming to pass toward the end of the book, in aggregate appearing far too coincidental. Not to mention the heroes' deliverance of one of their own from mortal peril coming way too easily.
Readers would do well to peruse the author's bio before purchasing or reading this book. Those who share the author's interests in various subject matters will appreciate the detailed exposition given same. Those who do not, however, may well come away non-plussed by such exposition slowing the story's pacing to a crawl.
January 31, 2019
This book is the story of a future where war has ravaged the world. In a small town, an artificial intelligence now runs the lives of humans and has no concept of its charges need for purpose. Hence discontent and violence erupts leaving the machine with no choice but to lock-in the people. One man offers advice on this, and asks to be allowed to move out of the town to find a place where he is free to make choices about his day to day living. If he succeeds, then perhaps the A.I. will consider allowing humans more freedom. However, the man ends up with a lot more than he bargained for.
There were quite a few characters in this story, all done well. The writing was good and the plot flowed at a good pace.
There were quite a few characters in this story, all done well. The writing was good and the plot flowed at a good pace.
November 28, 2018
This book is a sort of long thought experiment on the consequences of AI, the breakdown of capitalism, and a post-apocalyptic world. It's pure SF, in the classic, good way: extrapolating our current world into the future, putting the heroes into jeopardy, and having them try to work/think their way forward. I enjoyed the thought puzzles the author introduces, and the complexity of having several relatively independent communities challenged in different ways.
I recommend this book to readers who like their sf with a large dollop of intellect.
I recommend this book to readers who like their sf with a large dollop of intellect.
December 1, 2018
House arrest was an interesting read. I loved the dialogue between the AI and the humans.
The story is heavy with exposition, and it was a slow start. It did however move along at a reasonable pace and nothing that happened was surprising. The concepts of the AI working with the humans to build a better world was a great concept for discussion. I did feel from time to time that some events were a little too convenient, but they did improve the story so there is no complaint from this avid reader.
The narration was complex mix of first-person direct narration from the main protagonist, and a mix of computer filled in story. What was interesting was that the omniscient narrator was the secondary narrator while the primary narrator was a flawed narrator. Character development was small but given that the time frame was limited to a few weeks the development was certainly linear.
I would recommend this story to people who want a good bed-time read that deals with complex problems and deals with them in a simple and relatable way.
The story is heavy with exposition, and it was a slow start. It did however move along at a reasonable pace and nothing that happened was surprising. The concepts of the AI working with the humans to build a better world was a great concept for discussion. I did feel from time to time that some events were a little too convenient, but they did improve the story so there is no complaint from this avid reader.
The narration was complex mix of first-person direct narration from the main protagonist, and a mix of computer filled in story. What was interesting was that the omniscient narrator was the secondary narrator while the primary narrator was a flawed narrator. Character development was small but given that the time frame was limited to a few weeks the development was certainly linear.
I would recommend this story to people who want a good bed-time read that deals with complex problems and deals with them in a simple and relatable way.
January 6, 2019
House Arrest is a futuristic, speculative novel about AI and its influence on man and then man’s relationship with work and the world itself. The author explores these themes in great detail! House Arrest will appeal to hard-core fans of sci-fi and follows on from other work written by the author. It is well written and moves on nicely, once you get through the first quarter. I’ve read some of the other reviews and do to some extent agree there’s probably a bit too much exposition and the dialogue does seem a bit off in places. But that said, it is a good choice for hard core fans of sci-fi. I give four stars and recommend to fans of the genre.
June 18, 2019
That rare beast - A Utopic post-apocalyptic novel
In a post-apocalyptic world, the town of Oroville is doing fine. The people turned the running of the town over to the AI system which controls the production and distribution of all that everyone needs. So why are people still miserable? It takes humans and AI working together to figure out the answer to that and to start on a road that might one day genuinely lead to universal wellbeing for all in the Sacramento Valley.
What I really liked:
The hope. In a time when our fiction - and real-world - diet is filled with dystopic and doom-laden visions of the future, it is delightful to find a book that challenges the inevitability of that.
The characters. All are well presented, real people. I will admit I disliked the sexism in the main character, but I love how he gets called on it. He is a bit of an emotional dinosaur and that probably means most men over the age of 30 will be able to identify with him, even if I didn’t.
The story. The gradual exploration and bringing in of other towns as the story progresses, each with a different solution to the post-apocalyptic problem and the final fight against human dictatorship - helped by the AIs.
What I struggled with:
Mixed points of view. I really disliked the way the author switched between first person for one character and third person for all the others. It was completely unecessary and the result, for me, was jarring and difficult to keep with.
Over Exposition. There is much too much attention to needless - and for me personally, rather dull - low-tech detail. Like how to build an out-house or make a charcoal burning engine run a tractor. Such things might intrigue other readers, but felt to me more like they belonged in a different post-apocalyptic book, one without a high-tech AI. It slowed the pace and had me wanting to skip pages to get back with the compelling story.
Overall Thoughts:
I read this book through KU, loved the concept and the positivity of the story and cared about the characters. Recommended for anyone who is interested in a different look at the future with AI from the usual dystopian one.
In a post-apocalyptic world, the town of Oroville is doing fine. The people turned the running of the town over to the AI system which controls the production and distribution of all that everyone needs. So why are people still miserable? It takes humans and AI working together to figure out the answer to that and to start on a road that might one day genuinely lead to universal wellbeing for all in the Sacramento Valley.
What I really liked:
The hope. In a time when our fiction - and real-world - diet is filled with dystopic and doom-laden visions of the future, it is delightful to find a book that challenges the inevitability of that.
The characters. All are well presented, real people. I will admit I disliked the sexism in the main character, but I love how he gets called on it. He is a bit of an emotional dinosaur and that probably means most men over the age of 30 will be able to identify with him, even if I didn’t.
The story. The gradual exploration and bringing in of other towns as the story progresses, each with a different solution to the post-apocalyptic problem and the final fight against human dictatorship - helped by the AIs.
What I struggled with:
Mixed points of view. I really disliked the way the author switched between first person for one character and third person for all the others. It was completely unecessary and the result, for me, was jarring and difficult to keep with.
Over Exposition. There is much too much attention to needless - and for me personally, rather dull - low-tech detail. Like how to build an out-house or make a charcoal burning engine run a tractor. Such things might intrigue other readers, but felt to me more like they belonged in a different post-apocalyptic book, one without a high-tech AI. It slowed the pace and had me wanting to skip pages to get back with the compelling story.
Overall Thoughts:
I read this book through KU, loved the concept and the positivity of the story and cared about the characters. Recommended for anyone who is interested in a different look at the future with AI from the usual dystopian one.
Read
November 23, 2018Goodreads keeps asking me to review this as it was won during a giveaway. I haven't reviewed it because I could not stick with it and did not make it far into the book before giving up. I think it needs an editor as it reads like a self published first time novel. I didn't want to give the author a hard time as writing is difficult and many great authors weren't that great when they started. The premise of the book is highly interesting. Maybe I'll give it another shot some day.
July 18, 2020
House Arrest: A Story of Liberation by Francis Mont was somewhat of a mixed bag for me. Although I really like the idea that drives this book (namely a post-apocalyptic world consisting of isolated and fractured cities controlled and dominated by robots and a man’s struggle to lead a normal life), at no point did I really get a feel that the characters were living in a post-apocalyptic world and combating the associated danger that should come with it.
I feel that the biggest issue with the opening of this book is the subject matter. The start of this book was a little dry, so much so that the deep dive into the current world status reminded me of a Cold War textbook rather than a fictional novel. We then move on to meeting our protagonist, Trevor, and there is an extended section on his likes and dislikes, as well as his hobbies, history and aspirations. This kind of felt like forced character building to me, almost like Mont wanted us to like him immediately and to get it out the way so that it didn’t need to be drip-fed throughout the rest of the book. Saying that, I do enjoy reading discussions on philosophy, so the discussions with Big Brain on why Trevor should leave Oroville was something I really enjoyed: it was well reasoned, grounded, and persuasive enough that I started to look forward to what came next. Furthermore, the themes or social division and class inequality that drive the story were consistent and dominant throughout, and the associated discussions were just as joyous to read.
The book opens up when Trevor and his small group leave their homes and the city of Oroville and head out to start a new life living on the land. This is where the novel picked up for me as I got a good feel for the looming adventure ahead. Whilst there were some good moments (such as meeting Scott and finding their new home), this was short-lived, as a lot of the mid-section deals with the associated chores that come with starting out from scratch. I get the idea that it is a tough life and the characters must adapt to survive, but sections on crop rotation, car repairs, felling trees, and digging trenches again returned me to that textbook feel I mentioned at the start of my review.
The novel switches tack someway through and we start to explore more stories from numerous POVs. Some of these characters were more interesting than the others (Jonathan being the one I was most interested in; the villains not so much - they too were a little faceless and dry) and the abrupt changes between first-person limited and third-person omniscient left me scratching my head. I think, in honesty, I would have preferred to stay with Trevor throughout the novel. I warmed greatly to him and really enjoyed how he rose to the challenge and lashed out towards the end.
Maybe I am gravely mistaken but everything felt a little too nice to really be called the apocalypse. A lot of this book felt like a survival guide for a nomadic lifestyle rather than the trials and tribulations that should come in this world. I enjoyed parts of this novel (especially the build-up in the later stages), however, it did not deliver the impact I was hoping for.
I feel that the biggest issue with the opening of this book is the subject matter. The start of this book was a little dry, so much so that the deep dive into the current world status reminded me of a Cold War textbook rather than a fictional novel. We then move on to meeting our protagonist, Trevor, and there is an extended section on his likes and dislikes, as well as his hobbies, history and aspirations. This kind of felt like forced character building to me, almost like Mont wanted us to like him immediately and to get it out the way so that it didn’t need to be drip-fed throughout the rest of the book. Saying that, I do enjoy reading discussions on philosophy, so the discussions with Big Brain on why Trevor should leave Oroville was something I really enjoyed: it was well reasoned, grounded, and persuasive enough that I started to look forward to what came next. Furthermore, the themes or social division and class inequality that drive the story were consistent and dominant throughout, and the associated discussions were just as joyous to read.
The book opens up when Trevor and his small group leave their homes and the city of Oroville and head out to start a new life living on the land. This is where the novel picked up for me as I got a good feel for the looming adventure ahead. Whilst there were some good moments (such as meeting Scott and finding their new home), this was short-lived, as a lot of the mid-section deals with the associated chores that come with starting out from scratch. I get the idea that it is a tough life and the characters must adapt to survive, but sections on crop rotation, car repairs, felling trees, and digging trenches again returned me to that textbook feel I mentioned at the start of my review.
The novel switches tack someway through and we start to explore more stories from numerous POVs. Some of these characters were more interesting than the others (Jonathan being the one I was most interested in; the villains not so much - they too were a little faceless and dry) and the abrupt changes between first-person limited and third-person omniscient left me scratching my head. I think, in honesty, I would have preferred to stay with Trevor throughout the novel. I warmed greatly to him and really enjoyed how he rose to the challenge and lashed out towards the end.
Maybe I am gravely mistaken but everything felt a little too nice to really be called the apocalypse. A lot of this book felt like a survival guide for a nomadic lifestyle rather than the trials and tribulations that should come in this world. I enjoyed parts of this novel (especially the build-up in the later stages), however, it did not deliver the impact I was hoping for.
November 22, 2018
A blog entry about Francis Mont’s “House Arrest” (see link below).
“A slightly different article for today. It’s not a review and it’s not an author interview. Yet in some deeper, symbolic way it is both, and it is neither; like the double-slit experiment of quantum mechanics – a simile that would perhaps make Francis Mont, a physicist, smile.
We’re not here to talk about physics however, but about literature. House Arrest, by Francis Mont, is a science-fiction novel taking place in a post-nuclear-war America in 2098.
Science fiction, is not fiction but rather a projected fact. This is precisely what Francis Mont explores in House Arrest in disturbingly accurate ways. There are many characters that will seem eerily familiar. Moreover, there are many events that will also seem highly likely.
In other words, although House Arrest explores a reality that is currently not present, this novel by Francis Mont is structured and presented in a way that renders it disturbingly likely.
Fans of the genre, rejoice. There are a lot of genre markers to keep you happy. More specifically, from artificial intelligence and the breakdown of society to team effort and building anew, there is something every fan of science fiction will feel familiar with.
One thing that readers should notice is the optimism infusing the story. Despite its bleak setting, House Arrest is not devoid of humanity. Indeed, if anything, Francis Mont seems to focus on finding the best in everything. A truly commendable effort indeed.”
https://blog.homeforfiction.com/2018/...
“A slightly different article for today. It’s not a review and it’s not an author interview. Yet in some deeper, symbolic way it is both, and it is neither; like the double-slit experiment of quantum mechanics – a simile that would perhaps make Francis Mont, a physicist, smile.
We’re not here to talk about physics however, but about literature. House Arrest, by Francis Mont, is a science-fiction novel taking place in a post-nuclear-war America in 2098.
Science fiction, is not fiction but rather a projected fact. This is precisely what Francis Mont explores in House Arrest in disturbingly accurate ways. There are many characters that will seem eerily familiar. Moreover, there are many events that will also seem highly likely.
In other words, although House Arrest explores a reality that is currently not present, this novel by Francis Mont is structured and presented in a way that renders it disturbingly likely.
Fans of the genre, rejoice. There are a lot of genre markers to keep you happy. More specifically, from artificial intelligence and the breakdown of society to team effort and building anew, there is something every fan of science fiction will feel familiar with.
One thing that readers should notice is the optimism infusing the story. Despite its bleak setting, House Arrest is not devoid of humanity. Indeed, if anything, Francis Mont seems to focus on finding the best in everything. A truly commendable effort indeed.”
https://blog.homeforfiction.com/2018/...
May 7, 2020
This is actually an expanded view of a short story I read into another of Francis Mont's works, "Meandering," which is a collection of short stories. True to form and I suppose from what I expected after reading the short story version of House Arrest... it's a little weird, a little jarring, but well written and enjoyable. Like meandering, there's something here for everyone, which might be a bit of a double-edged sword at times.
Fans of the post-apocalyptic (which tends to be a significant proportion of what I like to read) will either love the slant in this, or they won't. It's not everyday we explore a somewhat cheerful view of life after the apocalypse. I believe in spoiler-free reviews, so I'll keep things at the 30,000 view.
Mankind has reached arguably the pinnacle of technological achievement and social engineering. We want for little (granted, after a pretty brutal run for about a century), AI supports humanity and essentially automates all of our key services at the expense of our social freedoms.
But is a life of 'comfort' that satisfying?
It's a little odd at times, but the writing is clear and to the point. You'll find yourself flipping pages pretty quickly. Overall, it's a good read!
Fans of the post-apocalyptic (which tends to be a significant proportion of what I like to read) will either love the slant in this, or they won't. It's not everyday we explore a somewhat cheerful view of life after the apocalypse. I believe in spoiler-free reviews, so I'll keep things at the 30,000 view.
Mankind has reached arguably the pinnacle of technological achievement and social engineering. We want for little (granted, after a pretty brutal run for about a century), AI supports humanity and essentially automates all of our key services at the expense of our social freedoms.
But is a life of 'comfort' that satisfying?
It's a little odd at times, but the writing is clear and to the point. You'll find yourself flipping pages pretty quickly. Overall, it's a good read!
December 17, 2018
I know. I know. I'm not quite done. I've got the equivalent of about 30 pages left, but I'm reviewing anyway. I'll update if I need.
No matter what, I thank Goodreads for the free book, even if it is kindle.
I'm slowly getting used to E books...
In this case, the premise is good, the story is good, the writing is... Juvenile. I'm not saying I could do better, but for the love, people don't talk like this.
The plot, I can forgive. The likelihood of these events being concurrent.... Unlikely. But if you want to describe a world with as few examples a possible, this did it. The author showed the alternatives as concisely as possible.
Again, my biggest complaint: nobody talks like that.
Still a good plot. Read it.
*****
Finished. Still thinks it's a worthwhile read. Still think the dialogue needs work. Still think you should read it.
No matter what, I thank Goodreads for the free book, even if it is kindle.
I'm slowly getting used to E books...
In this case, the premise is good, the story is good, the writing is... Juvenile. I'm not saying I could do better, but for the love, people don't talk like this.
The plot, I can forgive. The likelihood of these events being concurrent.... Unlikely. But if you want to describe a world with as few examples a possible, this did it. The author showed the alternatives as concisely as possible.
Again, my biggest complaint: nobody talks like that.
Still a good plot. Read it.
*****
Finished. Still thinks it's a worthwhile read. Still think the dialogue needs work. Still think you should read it.
November 25, 2019
There’s a dropped word in the very first line of the novel, which made me a bit uneasy going forward. While the book could benefit from another round of proofreading, I will say most of the text is error-free and easy to follow, as it turns out.
House Arrest is a dystopian future novel, but it does offer something different to the genre. The story’s based on optimism, presenting a world where agrarian expertise and basic survival skills counteract the advance of unfeeling AI. The author’s also careful to give his characters believable personalities, and confident enough to make the lead unlikable in certain ways. This adds an element of realism, preventing the book from turning into a simple lecture from the author. Fans of this genre should consider giving this a shot.
House Arrest is a dystopian future novel, but it does offer something different to the genre. The story’s based on optimism, presenting a world where agrarian expertise and basic survival skills counteract the advance of unfeeling AI. The author’s also careful to give his characters believable personalities, and confident enough to make the lead unlikable in certain ways. This adds an element of realism, preventing the book from turning into a simple lecture from the author. Fans of this genre should consider giving this a shot.
February 11, 2019
Set in a war ravaged near future, intelligent machines now run the world and take care of everyone’s needs, but will people be happy with this arrangement?
The positives for this story were that the plot was original, the world felt real (in terms of interactions between the characters and technology and also the ‘grabs’ for power), there was a host of believable characters, both human and AI, and the writing was straightforward. The items that didn’t sit well with me were there was a bit too much exposition and the dialogue didn’t flow in places.
Worth reading if you enjoy Sci-Fi books, such as those by Philip K. Dick.
The positives for this story were that the plot was original, the world felt real (in terms of interactions between the characters and technology and also the ‘grabs’ for power), there was a host of believable characters, both human and AI, and the writing was straightforward. The items that didn’t sit well with me were there was a bit too much exposition and the dialogue didn’t flow in places.
Worth reading if you enjoy Sci-Fi books, such as those by Philip K. Dick.
July 1, 2020
Reminiscent of T. C. Boyle's The Terranauts, in which a group of scientists take part in a grand ecological experiment (albeit one that falls apart spectacularly), House Arrest deviates from the doom and gloom narratives so inherent to post-apoc/dystopian/speculative lit and presents "this crazy idea of finding bliss by digging in dirt and building outhouses", as one character puts it. That is, until a blustering, power-hungry public servant called Donald (!) Mouch tries to strangle it out of existence. Not too speculative, then. Part Walden, part On the Beach (in the sense that most of the characters, despite being in a post-apoc world are super well mannered, listen to each other and tackle all challenges together), this is a novel that has a lot going on and genuinely had me sitting back at times and wondering how I'd cope with my non-existent survival skills in the rebuilding/new dawn situation that half the characters find themselves in.
I am very much into narratives and theories on human dependence on AI at the moment, so this was a well-timed read for me. The initial idea that an intelligence called Big Brain would lock everyone in their homes because it was the logical thing to do following public unrest, before going on to grapple with various metaphysical notions for which there are no concrete answers, is pretty chilling. Guarantee that's going to happen at some point, and it's not like we haven't had 50 years of HALs and Skynets and Big Brains to clue us in. Still, the AI goes on to do what it can to help the humans throughout the book, so perhaps I'm being too harsh on our robot overlords.
One chapter that stood out was when Chris calls Morgan out on his manifesto on their settlement's future, which I'm going to quote in full because I liked it very much:
"We have this opportunity, for the first time in two years, to bring about some changes in our lives and in the direction our town is going. All we seem to be concerned with is survival and comfort and liberty to be individuals again.”
“What’s wrong with survival, comfort and individuality?” Morgan exclaimed.
“Nothing at all. But is it enough?” Chris almost shouted. “Is that all we are? Is that all we ever want to be? We used to have a country, we used to have universities with active research into new areas of science. We used to have a space program and were on the verge of colonizing Mars, for crying out loud! Now we'are happy to burrow into the hills with our individualistic homes and dig around in gardens. Nothing wrong with either of those, of course, but is that as far as our vision can see the future? We should at least attempt to start something a little less prosaic and more inspiring!”
That's pretty much what it's all about: a robot can establish the conditions for our survival, but survival isn't enough to satisfy us. We're not simply beings; we're human beings, and that human part requires constant spiritual, academic, physical and intellectual nourishment. The novel is peppered with exchanges like this; a typical sci-fi adventure novel it is not.
One thing: The switch from first person to third person kind of worked for me, though for some reason I found it a little jarring only when a first-person chapter followed a third-person one. Also, the prose could be pared down to make it more punchy.
I am very much into narratives and theories on human dependence on AI at the moment, so this was a well-timed read for me. The initial idea that an intelligence called Big Brain would lock everyone in their homes because it was the logical thing to do following public unrest, before going on to grapple with various metaphysical notions for which there are no concrete answers, is pretty chilling. Guarantee that's going to happen at some point, and it's not like we haven't had 50 years of HALs and Skynets and Big Brains to clue us in. Still, the AI goes on to do what it can to help the humans throughout the book, so perhaps I'm being too harsh on our robot overlords.
One chapter that stood out was when Chris calls Morgan out on his manifesto on their settlement's future, which I'm going to quote in full because I liked it very much:
"We have this opportunity, for the first time in two years, to bring about some changes in our lives and in the direction our town is going. All we seem to be concerned with is survival and comfort and liberty to be individuals again.”
“What’s wrong with survival, comfort and individuality?” Morgan exclaimed.
“Nothing at all. But is it enough?” Chris almost shouted. “Is that all we are? Is that all we ever want to be? We used to have a country, we used to have universities with active research into new areas of science. We used to have a space program and were on the verge of colonizing Mars, for crying out loud! Now we'are happy to burrow into the hills with our individualistic homes and dig around in gardens. Nothing wrong with either of those, of course, but is that as far as our vision can see the future? We should at least attempt to start something a little less prosaic and more inspiring!”
That's pretty much what it's all about: a robot can establish the conditions for our survival, but survival isn't enough to satisfy us. We're not simply beings; we're human beings, and that human part requires constant spiritual, academic, physical and intellectual nourishment. The novel is peppered with exchanges like this; a typical sci-fi adventure novel it is not.
One thing: The switch from first person to third person kind of worked for me, though for some reason I found it a little jarring only when a first-person chapter followed a third-person one. Also, the prose could be pared down to make it more punchy.
December 4, 2018
Written as a science-fiction book, some may find House Arrest eerily prophetic in nature. The novel takes place in futuristic America, two years after a catastrophic war that has disrupted the entire government, economy and infrastructure of the nation. The book centers around one small area of the country, the Sacramento Valley; and a cluster of three cities who once depended on each other but are now uncertain of the fate of the world outside of their own borders.
The prologue of the novel sets up the circumstances of the story and pretty much reads as a cautionary tale considering the political climate of the United States today. It takes historical and current events and expands them out into a logical progression of things that could (and in my opinion will likely) take place in the not so distant future.
Without giving away too much, the themes examined are primarily the ideas of various governmental structures and human dependence on artificial intelligence. It examines how human dependence on technology can both harm the future of humanity, but unlike some sci-fi novels that can come across as anti-technology, it also shows how technology can be humanity’s salvation. Another theme is the idea of human needs. Often times we focus the first four of Maslow’s hierarchy and can forget the importance of self-actualization, the idea of having something to work for, to feel useful. We also do not realize the strong connection actualization has to esteem. The humanity component of the story is truly centered around this concept, and watching this component unfold is both fascinating and endearing.
There are several characters we are introduced to, but we first me Trevor, a former computer programmer who is left without a career due to the autonomous advancement of technology. After a lockdown initiated by the quantum super-computer named “Big Brain” or “BB” caused by public unrest, despite having all of their physical needs met by a egalitarian system, Trevor takes the initiative to explain to the computer the concept of the human need to be productive to find happiness. This brings us to the main split into the story, how such happiness can be achieved. Trevor leads a homestead initiative combined of several people who want to make a life for themselves without the required dependence on technology. Meanwhile the other citizens in Oroville find their own happiness taking marching orders from BB to better their communities within the current structure. While the citizens of the city are just happy to be put to work, BB is using this willingness to work towards the goal of reconnecting with the super computers in Sacramento & Yuba City, due to the desperate need to resume sharing the resources they once did pre-war times. However, things take a turn when we discover that Sacramento is under the thumb of an oppressive regime, who wants nothing more than to consolidate all of the power of the city, and ultimately the area. The resultant conflict makes for a gripping tale that I truly believe others will enjoy.
House Arrest is unlike any other sci-fi book I’ve ever read. To me it reads more of a fiction novel with scientific components due to the realistic themes and an environment that is foreshadowing in nature. The book feels more of a case study in how to handle what could eventually be our future in an effective way, and how to avoid the pitfalls of the past.
The prologue of the novel sets up the circumstances of the story and pretty much reads as a cautionary tale considering the political climate of the United States today. It takes historical and current events and expands them out into a logical progression of things that could (and in my opinion will likely) take place in the not so distant future.
Without giving away too much, the themes examined are primarily the ideas of various governmental structures and human dependence on artificial intelligence. It examines how human dependence on technology can both harm the future of humanity, but unlike some sci-fi novels that can come across as anti-technology, it also shows how technology can be humanity’s salvation. Another theme is the idea of human needs. Often times we focus the first four of Maslow’s hierarchy and can forget the importance of self-actualization, the idea of having something to work for, to feel useful. We also do not realize the strong connection actualization has to esteem. The humanity component of the story is truly centered around this concept, and watching this component unfold is both fascinating and endearing.
There are several characters we are introduced to, but we first me Trevor, a former computer programmer who is left without a career due to the autonomous advancement of technology. After a lockdown initiated by the quantum super-computer named “Big Brain” or “BB” caused by public unrest, despite having all of their physical needs met by a egalitarian system, Trevor takes the initiative to explain to the computer the concept of the human need to be productive to find happiness. This brings us to the main split into the story, how such happiness can be achieved. Trevor leads a homestead initiative combined of several people who want to make a life for themselves without the required dependence on technology. Meanwhile the other citizens in Oroville find their own happiness taking marching orders from BB to better their communities within the current structure. While the citizens of the city are just happy to be put to work, BB is using this willingness to work towards the goal of reconnecting with the super computers in Sacramento & Yuba City, due to the desperate need to resume sharing the resources they once did pre-war times. However, things take a turn when we discover that Sacramento is under the thumb of an oppressive regime, who wants nothing more than to consolidate all of the power of the city, and ultimately the area. The resultant conflict makes for a gripping tale that I truly believe others will enjoy.
House Arrest is unlike any other sci-fi book I’ve ever read. To me it reads more of a fiction novel with scientific components due to the realistic themes and an environment that is foreshadowing in nature. The book feels more of a case study in how to handle what could eventually be our future in an effective way, and how to avoid the pitfalls of the past.
July 2, 2020
“House Arrest” opens by placing the reader in a future post-nuclear war world. The fiction events that led to this situation could feel a bit confusing but giving more explanations would have been too long for a Prologue and the warning about the real political and environmental situation of the twenty-first century was terrific.
When the story starts, it immediately pulls you in. People in Oroville don’t need to work or money anymore, their quantum computer―alias Big Brain―was put in charge of all the administration, services, and production when the City Council was overwhelmed by the crisis and the affluence of refugees that moved to the cities that hadn’t been destroyed by the war. That was a brilliant move by the people in charge, as Big Brain managed all the available resources in an egalitarian and efficient way for the best interest of the citizens.
The problem? Some people felt lost without a life purpose other than pursuing their hobbies, and it resulted in street fights. Big Brain decides to lockdown the population for their own safety until a solution comes up.
I liked very much that the author didn’t pick a unique solution for all. People are different and basically, three options were offered. A reduced group of people started a homestead, other citizens started community projects to improve the city, and others continued with their lives joining none of these initiatives.
Sometimes it’s crossed my mind―when I get disappointed by society―to join a group of like-minded people, live close to nature, and become as self-sustaining as possible. So I enjoyed following the story of the homestead group.
The city community projects were also very interesting, so much that it makes you think how come no one thought of doing some of these projects before the lockdown. I liked the way people got creative to achieve their goals as Big Brain couldn't allocate their limited resources to non-essential activities.
The most thrilling part of the book comes when two other cities enter the scene
The character I liked the most was Big Brain because it's different from the characters I'm used to reading and it has been genuinely crafted. I also enjoyed Trevor's and Mike's philosophical thoughts. Well ahead in the book, I noticed that although there were competent and intelligent female characters, all the leaders were men and I guess I was hoping for such an advanced future to be more equal (if you have a few leaders and they are all men, it could be a coincidence, but there were plenty of them). Happily, I found about 60% of the book that the mayor of Yuba City was a woman.
In conclusion, it is a great story that explores our inner selves and makes us think about how we live, and as always, Francis Mont highlights the danger of corrupt governments and mismanagement of the environment. I recommend it!
When the story starts, it immediately pulls you in. People in Oroville don’t need to work or money anymore, their quantum computer―alias Big Brain―was put in charge of all the administration, services, and production when the City Council was overwhelmed by the crisis and the affluence of refugees that moved to the cities that hadn’t been destroyed by the war. That was a brilliant move by the people in charge, as Big Brain managed all the available resources in an egalitarian and efficient way for the best interest of the citizens.
The problem? Some people felt lost without a life purpose other than pursuing their hobbies, and it resulted in street fights. Big Brain decides to lockdown the population for their own safety until a solution comes up.
I liked very much that the author didn’t pick a unique solution for all. People are different and basically, three options were offered. A reduced group of people started a homestead, other citizens started community projects to improve the city, and others continued with their lives joining none of these initiatives.
Sometimes it’s crossed my mind―when I get disappointed by society―to join a group of like-minded people, live close to nature, and become as self-sustaining as possible. So I enjoyed following the story of the homestead group.
The city community projects were also very interesting, so much that it makes you think how come no one thought of doing some of these projects before the lockdown. I liked the way people got creative to achieve their goals as Big Brain couldn't allocate their limited resources to non-essential activities.
The most thrilling part of the book comes when two other cities enter the scene
The character I liked the most was Big Brain because it's different from the characters I'm used to reading and it has been genuinely crafted. I also enjoyed Trevor's and Mike's philosophical thoughts. Well ahead in the book, I noticed that although there were competent and intelligent female characters, all the leaders were men and I guess I was hoping for such an advanced future to be more equal (if you have a few leaders and they are all men, it could be a coincidence, but there were plenty of them). Happily, I found about 60% of the book that the mayor of Yuba City was a woman.
In conclusion, it is a great story that explores our inner selves and makes us think about how we live, and as always, Francis Mont highlights the danger of corrupt governments and mismanagement of the environment. I recommend it!
March 30, 2019
The book starts off with a great premise: the protagonist and everyone else in his town locked up in their apartments by a powerful computer that wants to reign in a rapid deterioration of law and order. What follows next is not your typical man vs. machine story, but rather a well-thought-out and realistic tale in which AI and humans work together to try and build a functioning society in a post-apocalyptic world.
First, the good stuff. The prose is clean and competent; the descriptions and world building are good; the dialogue, while a bit clunky in the beginning, gets better as you go along.
The author knows his subject matter well and does not resort to hand-waving like so many sci-fi writers. While the book is not hard sci-fi, it remains grounded at all times and does not test the reader’s credulity. Whether it’s talking about homesteading in the wilderness, or constructing a wood-gas furnace, or organizing education systems, or the merits and demerits of Maslow’s pyramid, or the centralized planning of an economy, the ideas are fleshed out and intended to set you thinking. There’s plenty to unpack here. At its heart, the book is a manual for restarting civilization; it does this by comparing and contrasting three different cities – an AI-controlled imperfect utopia, a human-controlled despotic regime, and a communal society that has had to rely on co-operation rather than technology to survive. I don’t want to spoil the ending, so you’ll have to read the book to find out which system emerges on top.
My biggest problem with the book is the near absence of any narrative tension. For most of the book, the central characters are never in any real danger; their plans are never really thwarted; and most of their conversations involve them agreeing with each other in the end. Everything just falls into place. What seems to be missing is the engine of a compelling plot to keep the reader wanting more. The book needs more conflict. As for the characters, they have some history and background to them, but lacking any real flaws, just aren’t interesting enough in and of themselves; a lot of the time, they serve as nothing more than sounding boards and echo chambers for each other. Also puzzling is the author’s decision to use both first-person and third-person point of views; it doesn’t serve any purpose and the effect is jarring. There are multiple story arcs with different characters, so the author could have just used third-person throughout.
All in all, a nice read if you like slow-burning, idea-oriented, big-picture sci-fi. Just don’t expect thrills and gasps.
First, the good stuff. The prose is clean and competent; the descriptions and world building are good; the dialogue, while a bit clunky in the beginning, gets better as you go along.
The author knows his subject matter well and does not resort to hand-waving like so many sci-fi writers. While the book is not hard sci-fi, it remains grounded at all times and does not test the reader’s credulity. Whether it’s talking about homesteading in the wilderness, or constructing a wood-gas furnace, or organizing education systems, or the merits and demerits of Maslow’s pyramid, or the centralized planning of an economy, the ideas are fleshed out and intended to set you thinking. There’s plenty to unpack here. At its heart, the book is a manual for restarting civilization; it does this by comparing and contrasting three different cities – an AI-controlled imperfect utopia, a human-controlled despotic regime, and a communal society that has had to rely on co-operation rather than technology to survive. I don’t want to spoil the ending, so you’ll have to read the book to find out which system emerges on top.
My biggest problem with the book is the near absence of any narrative tension. For most of the book, the central characters are never in any real danger; their plans are never really thwarted; and most of their conversations involve them agreeing with each other in the end. Everything just falls into place. What seems to be missing is the engine of a compelling plot to keep the reader wanting more. The book needs more conflict. As for the characters, they have some history and background to them, but lacking any real flaws, just aren’t interesting enough in and of themselves; a lot of the time, they serve as nothing more than sounding boards and echo chambers for each other. Also puzzling is the author’s decision to use both first-person and third-person point of views; it doesn’t serve any purpose and the effect is jarring. There are multiple story arcs with different characters, so the author could have just used third-person throughout.
All in all, a nice read if you like slow-burning, idea-oriented, big-picture sci-fi. Just don’t expect thrills and gasps.
February 14, 2019
House Arrest is science fiction of a type that was more commonly seen in the mid-twentieth century. The protagonists are rational and benevolent actors with big problems to solve and the antagonists are irrational, selfish, and violent actors who get in their way. Character development is secondary to following each thinker’s progression through the big problems; the story has been crafted to explore the question of how humans should act rather than to scrutinize the experience of being human.
We are introduced to a setting where it is the nuclear apocalypse once again, only this time the use of fusion bombs has spared the world from the disastrous consequences of mass radiation poisoning. Prior to this interruption, first-world civilization had achieved automated, AI-directed production of most goods and services, and these technologies allow a small city in the Sacramento valley to thrive as a socialist utopia, isolated from the rest of America. Little thought has been given to human needs beyond the material, however, and the ‘utopia’ is quickly found unsatisfactory and begins to destabilize. The challenge of devising a system wherein humans can achieve a high quality of life without the organizing impetus of work constitutes big question number one, and this is both relevant and interesting. While we could do without the nuclear war, an AI-powered future with increased automation is likely heading our way. New cities that have evolved along different vectors according to their access to resources and modes of governance are then introduced, and the second big question is a rather blunt exploration of whether a utopia can survive in a world where assholes exist.
Regarding the writing, there is little to be said. It is clean, efficient, and to the point. There is nothing wrong with it and nothing particularly innovative about it and that’s the way it should be. We are here for the ideas, not a writing exhibition. This is not science fiction in the sense that the plot hinges on scientific theories or discoveries, but it is a novel that has been written with a scientific attitude.
The power of reason compels you. 4/5
We are introduced to a setting where it is the nuclear apocalypse once again, only this time the use of fusion bombs has spared the world from the disastrous consequences of mass radiation poisoning. Prior to this interruption, first-world civilization had achieved automated, AI-directed production of most goods and services, and these technologies allow a small city in the Sacramento valley to thrive as a socialist utopia, isolated from the rest of America. Little thought has been given to human needs beyond the material, however, and the ‘utopia’ is quickly found unsatisfactory and begins to destabilize. The challenge of devising a system wherein humans can achieve a high quality of life without the organizing impetus of work constitutes big question number one, and this is both relevant and interesting. While we could do without the nuclear war, an AI-powered future with increased automation is likely heading our way. New cities that have evolved along different vectors according to their access to resources and modes of governance are then introduced, and the second big question is a rather blunt exploration of whether a utopia can survive in a world where assholes exist.
Regarding the writing, there is little to be said. It is clean, efficient, and to the point. There is nothing wrong with it and nothing particularly innovative about it and that’s the way it should be. We are here for the ideas, not a writing exhibition. This is not science fiction in the sense that the plot hinges on scientific theories or discoveries, but it is a novel that has been written with a scientific attitude.
The power of reason compels you. 4/5
November 29, 2018
House Arrest, by Francis Mont, is a dystopian science-fiction novel that will gives readers a creepy sense of what may come to be. Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth in 2098, its prologue depicts a picture of economic, political and environmental demise that began with a dark part of our history that many readers will remember vividly: the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In straight-forward prose that doesn’t mince words - this is a story for the thinking reader as much as for sci-fi fans.
After governmental collapse and nuclear war, the United States has become a series of independent city-states. One of those cities is Oroville, California - is where the story’s protagonist, Trevor, lives and works as a software engineer on the city’s central computer - nicknamed the “Big Brain.” But though the city survives through automation - with everything from food to medical services to communication channels being provided through robots - the increase of AI, and the work that Trevor is doing - proves to have dangerous consequences for humans.
This is a novel that will likely give readers an eerie feeling of a possible future, given the tremulous state of economic, political and environmental affairs in our world today. House Arrest presents itself as a story not to be taken lightly, and will likely spark intellectual discussions amongst readers. Such an accomplishment is unique to other science-fiction novels I’ve read, and therefore it will stay in my memory. Perhaps hauntingly so, but nevertheless - this is a book that paints a vivid picture worthy of contemplation.
After governmental collapse and nuclear war, the United States has become a series of independent city-states. One of those cities is Oroville, California - is where the story’s protagonist, Trevor, lives and works as a software engineer on the city’s central computer - nicknamed the “Big Brain.” But though the city survives through automation - with everything from food to medical services to communication channels being provided through robots - the increase of AI, and the work that Trevor is doing - proves to have dangerous consequences for humans.
This is a novel that will likely give readers an eerie feeling of a possible future, given the tremulous state of economic, political and environmental affairs in our world today. House Arrest presents itself as a story not to be taken lightly, and will likely spark intellectual discussions amongst readers. Such an accomplishment is unique to other science-fiction novels I’ve read, and therefore it will stay in my memory. Perhaps hauntingly so, but nevertheless - this is a book that paints a vivid picture worthy of contemplation.
July 30, 2019
House Arrest is slick, engaging S.F with some highly compelling ideas. It opens with a lengthy infoburst which some could argue was a little on-the-nose but nevertheless orientates the reader very effectively and presents a plausible if somewhat nightmarish near future scenario. I appreciated the clarity of language throughout and the descriptive work was excellent. I found the use of exposition as dialogue a little fatiguing at times, but the dialogue between human and AI characters was handled really well. The book's flaws are largely cosmetic - the story presents a unique and engrossing take on the human/AI relationship which is sure to engross any lover of intelligent sci-fi.
March 11, 2019
Very interesting plot. It’s refreshing to see a sci-fi plot involving an apocalyptic event and A.I, where the A.I is not evil and intent on eradicating human lives.
In this novel, the author turns the usual storyline on its head and the A.I looks after mankind even if mankind is bent on their own destruction.
It is a very interesting take on humanity’s future: we reach the pinnacle of technological advancement and we invariably cast aside the true purpose of our lives in the process.
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