Tor Books
In the Lives of Puppets
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A NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES AND INDIE BESTSELLER!
New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune invites you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.
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"An enchanting tale of Pinocchio in the end times." --P. Djèlí Clark
In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots--fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They're a family, hidden and safe.
The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labeled "HAP," he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio-a past spent hunting humans.
When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio's former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic's assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming.
Along the way to save Gio, amid conflicted feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic must decide for himself: Can he accept love with strings attached?
Inspired by Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio, and like Swiss Family Robinson meets Wall-E, In the Lives of Puppets is a masterful stand-alone fantasy adventure from the beloved author who brought you The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door.
★ "An epic quest of rescue and discovery [with] the author's trademark charm, heart, and bittersweetness." --Library Journal, starred review
Praise for TJ Klune's previous work: "Like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket." --V.E. SCHWAB - "Very close to perfect." --SEANAN McGUIRE - "Utterly absorbing." --GAIL CARRIGER - "It will renew your faith in humanity." --TERRY BROOKS - "It healed me." --CASSANDRA KHAW - "Compassionate." --RYKA AOKI
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Book Details
ISBN:
9781250217448
EAN:
9781250217448
Binding:
Hardcover
Pages:
432
Authors:
Tj Klune
Publisher:
Tor Books
Published Date: 2023-25-04
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I think this is my favorite book by TJ Klune. I love these characters and the humor throughout. The story is a very fun adventure-style fantasy in a science-fiction and post-apocalyptic setting.The Adventures of Pinocchio has never been one of my favorite stories, but this retelling, with its delightful & unique characters, made me love it.
The wit and humor, especially thru Nurse Ratchet, was my favorite aspect of the book. Rambo was entertaining as well. I don't want to insult, but I am amazed this book won awards as top sci Fi of the year, because that's why I bought it. I can see Mr. Clune is a capable writer, and I won't judge him on his talent since I've only read one book of his. But I wasn't impressed with the book as a superior Science Fiction to the runners-up.
The story was clever and the characters amusing. The conclusion didn't leave empty questions. I found the beginning elaborate with fine details. As it progressed, there was a obvious drop in details and humor. I would have preferred the originality continue even if it took time or needed to be made into volumes. Nonetheless, I was emotionally attached to the characters. There was even an unexpected faint glimmer of romance that would have been interesting to watch play out.
This is a story about what it is to exist and be a person, told through the lives of man and machine. This book had me laughing out loud and my heart aching with love and grief. Nurse Ratched is officially my favorite character ever.
I absolutely loved In the Lives of Puppets! TJ Klune masterfully blends fairy tale whimsy with sci-fi intrigue in this heartfelt story of Vic, the last human, and his quirky robot family—Gio, Rambo, and Nurse Ratched. Rambo’s neurotic hilarity and Nurse Ratched’s sharp wit had me laughing throughout, while the exploration of love and humanity left me deeply moved. Though the pacing slows at times, the unforgettable characters and emotional depth make this a must-read. This one’s officially on my “will read again” list!
