'Machine Man' by Max Barry is a darkly funny and clever novel that follows the story of Charlie Neumann, a misfit mechanical engineer who loses his leg in an accident and decides to build his own replacement. Thrilled with the result, Charlie becomes obsessed with replacing more and more of his body with superior mechanical parts, leading to unforeseen consequences. The book satirizes society's dependence on technology and explores the ethical dilemmas of enhancing the human body to extremes, all while maintaining a quirky and introspective writing style that keeps the reader engaged.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Machine Man include body horror, themes of addiction (to technology), and mental health issues.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance in Machine Man, primarily represented by the relationship between Charlie and Lola.
From The Publisher:
Scientist Charles Neumann loses a leg in an industrial accident. It's not a tragedy. It's an opportunity. Charlie always thought his body could be better. He begins to explore a few ideas. To build parts. Better parts.
Prosthetist Lola Shanks loves a good artificial limb. In Charlie, she sees a man on his way to becoming artificial everything. But others see a madman. Or a product. Or a weapon.
A story for the age of pervasive technology, Machine Man is a gruesomely funny unraveling of one man's quest for ultimate self-improvement.
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Want To Read (5) | |
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Machine Man?
About the Author:
Max Barry is the author of numerous novels, including Company, Machine Man, and Lexicon. He is also the developer of the online nation simulation game NationStates. Prior to his writing career, Barry worked at tech giant HP. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, with his wife…
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