Book Review: Bulb

Title: Bulb

Author: Bradley Wind

Narrator: Christopher Lawson

Link: https://www.audible.com/pd/Bulb-Audiobook/B088HFQP1Y

 

Summary

If light records everything we do, can even shadows hide our secrets? 

Imagine your entire life is available for review. Imagine, each day, any event can be watched over and over again – your birth, your first kiss, your recent shower, that private itch – all replayable from any angle. Now, imagine these can be viewed by anyone at any time.

Is a world where there is far less ego, little crime, and even the smallest moments are recorded and available publicly through the “Grand Archive” an utopia or a dystopia?

Traumatized by memories he does not want to recall, artist Ben Tinthawin is recruited by the enigmatic Grand Archive creator Dr. Mamon, who seeks help for his next-gen designs to enhance the world. Ben stumbles across a secret revealing the doctor’s true scheme in all its surreal splendor and questions whether the doctor really is the benevolent soul he claims to be.

As the paths of a broken man and a brilliant revolutionary cross, the world shifts, and cracks start to appear. Even our most fundamental codes can be encrypted or corrupted.

If the wrong information is discovered, more than Ben’s life will be in danger of total shut down.

 

 

My Review

4/5 Stars

In the future, everything is accessible via “archives.” These are files of people’s brains that allow outsiders to see into every moment of their life if they wish. Ben doesn’t understand the fascination. He has memories that he would never like to see again. In the midst of coping with his tragic past, he’s recruited by archive scientist Dr. Mamon for a special project. Ben isn’t sure at first, but when he sees the doctor has a secret, a potential dark motive for his new project, he must do what he can to stop him.

This was different.

That’s my first thought after finishing this story. It wasn’t bad, per se, but it was very hard to follow. The worldbuilding is phenomenal with all kinds of scientific advancements in a progressed society. This was what I loved the most about the book. However, the book had sporadic pacing and random events that made it hard to follow at times.

For the most part, I liked Ben. In the midst of recovering from his own tragedies, he’s a force to be reckoned with. At times, I wanted to root for him, but other times, I wanted to strangle him. All in all, this wasn’t a bad read. Just be prepared to possibly listen to the story twice. That’s what I did to gain the necessary clarity to really enjoy the prose.

Narration was well done.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.