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The punch escrow
356 pages
A snarky, high-octane sci-fi thriller that wraps a classic philosophical paradox in a fast-paced tale of corporate espionage and survival.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like strapping into a high-speed roller coaster designed by a cynical philosopher. It is a propulsive, snarky sci-fi thriller that balances intense, paranoiac action with witty, conversational prose and geeky footnotes. The atmosphere is steeped in a slightly absurd, futuristic dread, where corporate overreach dictates the boundaries of human existence. Beneath the high-stakes chase and the clever pop-culture references lies a surprisingly earnest exploration of identity, selfhood, and what it actually means to be human when technology can duplicate your very soul. It will thoroughly delight readers who crave the accessible, science-heavy snark of Andy Weir combined with the mind-bending, existential thrill rides of Blake Crouch, offering a journey that is as intellectually playful as it is breathlessly paced.
- Mood
- paranoiac
- high-stakes
- futuristic
- slightly absurd
- Tone
- wry
- snarky
- conversational
- urgent
- Pace
- propulsive
- Themes
- identity and selfhood · corporate overreach · ethics of technology · marital redemption · existential dread
- The writing
- Snappy and conversational, the writing is heavily peppered with witty footnotes, geeky pop-culture references, and accessible scientific exposition.
- The arc
- The protagonist shifts from cynical complacency to desperate survival, ultimately undergoing a profound reevaluation of identity and love.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love fast-paced, accessible sci-fi thrillers featuring snarky everyman protagonists, philosophical thought experiments, and a healthy dose of anti-corporate cynicism.
Content notes
- violence
- existential dread
- corporate conspiracy
About the book
"It's the year 2147. Advancements in nanotechnology have enabled us to control aging. We've genetically engineered mosquitoes to feast on carbon fumes instead of blood, ending air pollution. And teleportation has become the ideal mode of transportation, offered exclusively by International Transport--the world's most powerful corporation, in a world controlled by corporations. Joel Byram spends his days training artificial-intelligence engines to act more human and trying to salvage his deteriorating marriage. He's pretty much an everyday twenty-second century guy with everyday problems--until he's accidentally duplicated while teleporting. Now Joel must outsmart the shadowy organization that controls teleportation, outrun the religious sect out to destroy it, and find a way to get back to the woman he loves in a world that now has two of him."--Jacket flap.
Description from Open Library.
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