Challenge Corner discussion

A bold and inventive novel about real romance in the virtual workplace—​bringing Castillo's trademark wit and sharp cultural criticism to an irresistible story about the possible future of love.

Girlie Delmundo is the greatest content moderator in the world, and despite the setbacks of financial crises, climate catastrophe, and a global pandemic, she’s going places: she’s getting a promotion. Now thanks to her parent company Paragon’s purchase of Fairground—the world’s preeminent virtual reality content provider—she’s on the way to becoming an elite VR moderator, playing in the big leagues and, if her enthusiastic bosses are to be believed, moderating the next stage of human interaction.

Despite the isolation that virtual reality requires from colleagues, friends, and family, the unbelievable perks of her new job mean she can solve a lot of her family's problems with money and mobility. She doesn't have to think about the childhood home they lost back in the Bay Area, or history at all—she can just pay any debts that come due. But when she meets William Cheung, Playground’s wry, reticent co-founder (now Chief Product Officer) and slowly unearths some of his secrets, and finds herself somehow falling in love, she’ll learn that history might be impossible to moderate and the future utterly impossible to control.

My copy has not come off hold yet as expected. I am next in line! I may be late to this one but as soon as I get it, I will be here. I have the next five lol

oooh do you want me to wait until you have your copy? I own mine so I can wait!

keep me posted when you get it! I'll be here!

I received early this morning and ready to start it

In Ch 2-I know it is an early comment, but (view spoiler)[Does Girlie like her job? Its really hard to tell? I thought no at first, but now I think maybe she does? Also wonder if there are actually people doing this moderator job, I figured it had been AI for many many years now. Putting people in facebook jail (hide spoiler)]

In Chapter 3-(view spoiler)[I don't know why I thought Girlie was gay, but she seems to be crushing on William. Actually I got the impression, she wasn't interested in anyone. She just seems so hum-drum. The only things she has seemed to care about so far was not letting her younger cousin pay for the food? That has to be a major cultural thing, but other than that she just seems to have very little care or desire.

ok edit...she is bi-sexual and I think it must have already been discussed. I don't usually just assume (hide spoiler)]

I'm finishing another book up and then I'll start!!

Trisha wrote: "I'm finishing another book up and then I'll start!!"

What are you finishing? Any good?

In chapter 4-(view spoiler)[ should they not call the police when they see some of the things they do? If it is bad enough for moderators to commit suicide, should it not be reported? Just a thought. Kind of freaks me out that there probably really are things/jobs/issues like this. People can be so sick (hide spoiler)]

Carrie wrote: "Trisha wrote: "I'm finishing another book up and then I'll start!!"

What are you finishing? Any good?"

A Land So Wide - I enjoyed it!!

finally getting started! YAY!

2 chapters - jeez they are long chapters!

(view spoiler)[
that was quite the terrible beginning

but yeah, I'm confused too. I think it's a mix. it's nice to be good at your job - but I don't know if that's the same as enjoying your job, you know?

and now we know why - she has someone to support.

that broke my heart, all they lost in 2008. I worked in mortgage as a very young adult then - it was a soul crushing year and I left mortgage and never returned after that year!

but I do wonder - where is this story going?

and YES! there are absolutely people who do this job! There are definitely AI parts to it - flagging for certain words (especially during lives on FB, TikTok, and others) but also in the second look or the fighting a violation/non-monetization/taking down of videos.
(I had a friend who was doing a TikTok live and the AI thought her voice sounded too much like a kid and banned her from live until she could prove her age and that it was HER on the live! it was wild! she worked with a human after the AI first flagged her)

anyway, this world is wild but are we going to explore that more in the story? or her life? (hide spoiler)]

Only in ch 6/such really long chapters/ there’s been a change for sure/ absolutely loved (view spoiler)[ the scene where Maribel invited William to her party! At first it seemed annoying then I was laughing. She was relentless but got so much out of him and he seemed thrilled almost when Girlie confirmed the invitation (hide spoiler)] and how cool to learn to swim!

Well wasn't expecting that! It sure came on fast in her "fascinating" lol

ok so I finally got really into the book and it ended! Ugh lol

through Chapter 5 - yeah, it's written really dense and heavy. . .

(view spoiler)[
I really like the idea of learning something new in VR
but I don't want to have to jump

it makes sense that not everyone can do this job but I'm still not sure what the point is that we have Girlie's POV. she's a cog in a machine. Why not William's POV - he's seen more of the creation of this company and the starts and stalls. he's also clearly hiding some things - like the CEO killing himself by jumping off something high (something they made others do in VR)

why Girlie? We could have many POV or other POV. . . I'm hoping we get something more soon. her detachment and detailed ins and outs of her day aren't really pulling me in and are making these abnormally long chapters feel even longer (hide spoiler)]

Carrie wrote: "In chapter 4-[spoilers removed]"

I was telling my husband about their interview process - the first one where she had to identify if it was child abuse or not - and he said "isn't it a crime just to show her that video?"

I was like . . .Yes, yes it is. . . why are they doing that?

Exactly and the hire process continued if you didn’t pass out wow

Do you have a book to read before warm hands of ghosts? It’s very quick reading

I was going to start Hungerstone first but I can do Warm Hands first!

done and I did not love it

(view spoiler)[
so the point was. . .their romance? really?

we knew the company was probably doing something shady and had been doing something shady. . .but I found that so much more interesting than the connection between these 2. Did not feel the romance at all and wanted more plot about the service and the people. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "done and I did not love it


so the point was. . .their romance? really?

we knew the company was probably doing something shady and had been doing something shady. . .but I found that so much more..."

I was into it when they got into the virtual reality and boom that was done and it switched to the romance that did not feel natural and I didn't love it either

Trisha wrote: "I was going to start Hungerstone first but I can do Warm Hands first!"

either way, I am good