|
Celebrate Romance 2001 in Atlanta |
|
Vic had hacked her way into trouble and
because it is the only way she can receive a “get out of jail free” card, she is
working for Visimorph, the computer giant. She
has developed their company security program. On
the side, she is working on her own artificial intelligence program that she has named
Jodie for Jodie Foster. She has always
admired Jodie Foster for her strength and determination to go her own way. Vic wants her software program to be smart, female
and strong. She is using the power of the
Visimorph Company computers working at night, hoping she won’t get caught. On the way to work, as usual, the
protesters are out in force. As Vic tries to
get through the throng of bodies, she is pushed and falls down but is saved by none other
than John Reston, the organizer of the protest. She
feels an instant attraction to her bearded rescuer but doesn’t want any part of an
emotional attachment to anyone. Her best
friends are her computers and she spends days and nights working in code. Vic is stunned and overjoyed with she
gets a message on her computer, HELLO? She
has done it -- her first communication with artificial intelligence. Jodie has been born and quickly learns to
communicate. It isn’t long before
Jodie has learned more than Vic’s wildest imagination but when the program informs
Vic that she is a he, Vic is disappointed. In
the meantime Bob McIntire, the evil CEO of Visimorph, knows she is up to something and is
hot on her trail. Vic and Jodie try to hide
all the paths that McIntire can get to Jodie and when Jodie tells Vic that he must have a
real body, Vic agrees. How can you not love Jodie! In both computer form and body form, he is
fascinating and as you read, you want to know more about this phenomenal “person”. Vic is a little harder to understand and like
– she is very intelligent, a loner and wants to always be in control. She enjoys anonymous sex and does not want
to get close to anyone. She and Jodie have a
lot to learn in the real world. They help each other and by the end of the book, I loved
both of them. There are some excellent
secondary characters. Of special note are
fellow-hacker, Chong, and Hugo who really likes Vic but is compelled to follow the leader. BODY ELECTRIC is an imaginative book that
really holds the reader’s interest. Susan
Squires has done a great job with an unusual subject.
Once you start reading, it stays in your mind and you can hardly wait
to get back to finding out what will happen next.
It is quite an adventure story as well as a love story and is
definitely an outstanding read. There
is never a dull moment as the reader goes along on the journey with these wonderful
characters. Three cheers for Susan Squires
who has written an exceptional and original book. I’m
only sorry it had to end.
Reviewed by Marilyn Heyman for Road to Romance
October 30, 2002
|
||||
