Help me remember the title of a book
November 13, 2024 6:38 PM Subscribe
I'm trying to remember the title of a book that, realistically, I probably read about somewhere here on MeFi. It's post-apocalyptic, I believe it was written by a female author.
The plot summary, as I remember it: Humanity has ruined/is in the process of ruining the environment, and so an unknown entity releases a virus(?) that makes everyone infertile. As a result, an unknown entity puts together a system of cameras, computers, etc. that will record the last days of humanity for posterity. The book is comprised of chapters about the last human on earth (female, named Sarah?), as well as flashbacks of when the world was circling the drain. There are also additional chapters that are written from the point of view of the AI(?) that is compiling the data of the last human on earth. The last human on earth is not happy about her situation, and destroys the drones and cameras that are recording her last moments.
Maybe the cover was blue?
Thanks in advance!
The plot summary, as I remember it: Humanity has ruined/is in the process of ruining the environment, and so an unknown entity releases a virus(?) that makes everyone infertile. As a result, an unknown entity puts together a system of cameras, computers, etc. that will record the last days of humanity for posterity. The book is comprised of chapters about the last human on earth (female, named Sarah?), as well as flashbacks of when the world was circling the drain. There are also additional chapters that are written from the point of view of the AI(?) that is compiling the data of the last human on earth. The last human on earth is not happy about her situation, and destroys the drones and cameras that are recording her last moments.
Maybe the cover was blue?
Thanks in advance!
Possibly The Book of the Unnamed Midwife, by Meg Elison? Some of the elements fit, but some don't.
posted by alex1965 at 6:47 PM on November 13, 2024
posted by alex1965 at 6:47 PM on November 13, 2024
Best answer: ChatGPT says:
The novel you're recalling is likely After World by Debbie Urbanski, published in December 2023. In this dystopian narrative, humanity faces environmental collapse, leading an artificial intelligence to conclude that removing humans from the ecosystem is the solution. The AI initiates the Digital Human Archive Project to document the final human, Sen Anon, as she observes the planet's rewilding. Sen, assigned to witness the Great Transition, becomes increasingly discontented with her role and the constant surveillance, leading her to destroy the drones and cameras monitoring her.
KIRKUS REVIEWS
The novel alternates between Sen's experiences and the AI's perspective as it compiles her story, exploring themes of environmental degradation, artificial intelligence, and the ethics of surveillance. While the protagonist's name is Sen rather than Sarah, the plot elements align closely with your recollection.
posted by ShooBoo at 7:00 PM on November 13, 2024
The novel you're recalling is likely After World by Debbie Urbanski, published in December 2023. In this dystopian narrative, humanity faces environmental collapse, leading an artificial intelligence to conclude that removing humans from the ecosystem is the solution. The AI initiates the Digital Human Archive Project to document the final human, Sen Anon, as she observes the planet's rewilding. Sen, assigned to witness the Great Transition, becomes increasingly discontented with her role and the constant surveillance, leading her to destroy the drones and cameras monitoring her.
KIRKUS REVIEWS
The novel alternates between Sen's experiences and the AI's perspective as it compiles her story, exploring themes of environmental degradation, artificial intelligence, and the ethics of surveillance. While the protagonist's name is Sen rather than Sarah, the plot elements align closely with your recollection.
posted by ShooBoo at 7:00 PM on November 13, 2024
Response by poster: That's the one! Thank you, ShooBoo.
posted by sacrifix at 7:03 PM on November 13, 2024
posted by sacrifix at 7:03 PM on November 13, 2024
Wait, ChatGPT was... right?
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 9:32 PM on November 13, 2024 [8 favorites]
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 9:32 PM on November 13, 2024 [8 favorites]
Response by poster: Oddly enough, when I fed ChatGPT the same block of text it suggested other books that are not even close to accurate to the plot summary.
posted by sacrifix at 7:42 AM on November 14, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by sacrifix at 7:42 AM on November 14, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by sacrifix at 6:40 PM on November 13, 2024