A Strange and Brilliant Light: Winner of the Writers' Guild Best First Novel Award

Three women, Lal, Janetta, and Rose, are living in a time of flux where technological advance has brought financial rewards to those with power, but unemployment is high and discontent is rife. Lal is languishing in her role at a coffee shop and feeling overshadowed by her sister, Janetta, whose Ph.D. is focused on making auts empathetic. When vigilantes break in to the coffee shop and destroy their new coffee-making aut, it sets in motion a chain of events that will pull the three young women in different directions. A disquieting take on Big Tech's plans for the future of work, the book is a thoughtful, interior-focused story that will inspire many to think long and hard about what they want their future to be like.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2022
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

The AI future has arrived, and it is up to three remarkable women to shape its course. Lal, Janetta, and Rose find themselves living in a time of immense change and uncertainty. While technological advancements have brought immense financial rewards to those in power, they have also led to the displacement of large sections of the population, as artificial intelligence (auts) takes over many jobs. Unemployment rates soar, discontent simmers, and rumors circulate. Many feel robbed not only of their livelihoods but also of their dreams and aspirations for the future.

In this tumultuous context, Lal, a coffee shop employee, grapples with feelings of inadequacy compared to her sister, Janetta, a Ph.D. candidate focused on making auts empathetic. Even Rose, Lal's closest friend, finds purpose in charismatic up-and-coming politician Alek.

"The Mother Code" by Carole Stivers is a thought-provoking and introspective story that resembles the works of Ishiguro, such as "Klara and the Sun." It delves into the lives of these three young women as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving world.

When vigilantes break into the coffee shop and destroy their new coffee-making aut, it sets in motion a series of events that will propel them in different directions. The story offers a disquieting take on Big Tech's plans for the future of work, raising important questions about the impact of automation on society.

However, amidst the chaos, there is hope. If Rose, Lal, and Janetta can harness their burgeoning talents and work together, they have the potential to shape the course of history. Their combined efforts could lead to a new era of innovation, empathy, and progress.

"The Mother Code" is a poignant and inspiring tale that explores the complexities of human relationships, the power of technology, and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. It will undoubtedly resonate with readers, prompting them to contemplate the future they want to create and the role they can play in shaping it.

Weight: 216g
Dimension: 129 x 196 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529407747