Network Effect: A Murderbot Novel Review

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Well, here we are once again enjoying the exploits of our favourite candidate for the AI who suffers from a Pinnochio complex. Never have I read about the concerns of an AI whose continuous relationship with humans begins to make it more human. Unsolicited, osmotically, he renders himself more human with every mechanical breath he takes. I guess the term is "going native," which is assuredly evident in the many asides and sotto-voce comments about its responsibility to its human cargo. It appears contemptuous but is (in fact) imbued with admiration and respect often peppered with humour. Network Effect is a departure from the novella format of the first four in the Murderbot series, an ambitious foray into the realm of a full-length novel.

The central theme offered in this iteration of Murderbot continues with the machinations of an evil corporation bent on underhanded universal domination. However, this time, the conflict comes equipped with enemy "Targets," hostages, infiltration, installation, and detection of alien devices (or remnants), making SecUnit's assignment all the more difficult. Murderbot, if anything, has an unprogrammable streak of probity that can only explain the qualities that befit a human. The plot at times gently morphs, but Wells assuredly reins us back into the scope with articulated dialogue, the likes of which sometimes seem to border intimate with a feeling of harkening on the part of the reader. If that was her intention, then kudos to her; this technique helps the reader extract information (though privy) only to those intended; the reader feels invested.

Martha Wells
Photo Credit: www.marthawells.com/about.htm
Network Effect draws SecUnit closer into what can loosely be described as a family (from our
understanding of SecUnit). However, AI's do not come with the notion of family or any form of extended or nuclear relationships within their fold. From the beginning, Murderbot has plied with the human concepts of family, foreign at first. Still, it is integrating the idea allocated with entrusting it with Mensha's daughter Amena. SU acts as a protector and chaperone (a valued family position of trust and loyalty.) Wells furthers this idea when she writes that SecUnit (addicted to video serials) enjoys "Linages of the Sun," a long-running historical family drama. She also includes the original cast of characters from All Systems Red and ART, suggesting family ties. So many characters, all with their unique backstories! It sounds like family, yeah?!

Illustrator: Andis Reinbergs
Chapter One catapulted us directly into a melee already in progress, a conflict typical of a Wellian SU confrontation; brute force terminating in physical anguish; a rapid onslaught that challenges both physical and mental parameters. SU's currency is wholesale violence: no refund. It embodies the unique ability to assess a comprising seemingly unwinnable situation, and once the AI networking logically is engaged, it applies hurt where it's warranted. SU can be cold and calculating when it concerns its objective: the act of single-minded enforcement driven by intent. But it can also demonstrate a level-headed concern suggesting sympathy. SU's charges dictate the outcome; when SU is not in control, the fate to SU is like a step back in the Company's control (a reference to preceding novellas.) SU detests "I don't know" episodes.

Humour is a constant companion throughout the novel. Wells's prose delivery is high octane; her fight sequences are pageantry of sanguineous confrontation. Her dialogues are often swift and (at times) pirouetting. Humour is essential to move the arc forward; the reader needs time to defuse because the next wave of intensity is not far behind. The humour throughout the novel (when delivered by SU) makes credible its humanness. The many quips SU aims at humans, and their behaviour is subtle and witty: and, are too numerous to mention. However, SU also can be critical to itself and is not immune from touches of humourous self-depreciation at times of blunders and indiscretion. The ability to laugh at itself is a suggestion of treading the human psyche. The banter between SU and ART sometimes comes as quick as the pater heard among long-time married couples. Could this possibly be a form of AI romance? A romance outside the confines of what is known by human standards?

Illustrator: Marowowe

I admire Wells's sense of exploring unknown boundaries. For example, in her first novella in the Murbot series, All Systems Red, she studied the foundation of marriage by adding branching subsects. She introduces us to augmented humans, questionable forms of AI and the emancipation of a machine once destined to indentured servitude. The hostile exclusion of everyday language at the expense of one evolved around a corporate entity, as well as time concepts: "corpoaration standard days" these thought-provoking ideas require a broad-minded approach and are fascinating to ponder. Someday they may even be thought of as commonplace. The same forward-thinking introduces us to the concept of the space elevator. In the novel, Wells refers to it as a dropbox. In this theoretically proposed transport system, goods or personnel can be lifted from planet to space or vice versa, tethered to the surface by a tower of sorts and extending into space. Centrifugal force would hold the tether cable by tension and in a stationary position dedicated to a single location. Not so far-fetched; currently, the ISEC (International Space Elevator Consortium) is working with several countries to iron out technical difficulties.

Illustrator: Julia Maddalina
Network Effect is a MurderBot tour de force; the plot is simple: MurderBot is not; recruited by Dr. Mensa to shepherd a research expedition in safety. The research team includes her daughter and some other colleagues. Along the way, they encounter malice that escalates in a cascade of events that ultimately involves our SU who, earns its keep, and it does so single-mindedly and brilliantly. Evil takes the form of kidnappings, alien hardware, human and technical implants, wormholes, hive mentality and adversarial forces that exhibit resilience. SU, well equipped to withstand these forces, attempts to thwart their efforts by employing the time-tested MurderBot style of persuasion; however, he falls prey to the "Targets" and is rescued with ART's efforts and a second SU with a disabled governor module (sound familiar?). Meanwhile, the original kidnapped crew asserts itself; empowerment, a strong motivator, leads to a successful foil. Thus, MurderBot survives to fight another day spreading its gallantry onto futures commissions.

Of all the Novellas, for me, Network Effect is the work that consolidated my belief that MurderBot is an intense, complicated, profound entity that extends far beyond the limits of artificial machines indentured to a life of mechanical slavery. MB's body language, eye and facial expressions, tics, and eye rolls often enough resemble teenage angst. It wants to portray itself as a fortress of solitude, independent as a lone wolf, but in reality, it carves human interaction, and in fact, its love of humans genuinely bleeds through. It's not the AI poster child it thinks it is. When issuing a warning to its charge Amena, SU experiences an adrenaline moment. In another incident, It wants to shower but is angry; it associates showers with niceness and wants to stay angry. MB is aware of self-preservation; it claims its paranoid state of mind is what has kept it from becoming spare parts.

Illustrator: Leland Goodman
Self-preservation, as far as I know, is a very human concept. Even the humans around it question its humanness. Amena asks SU, in a question of loyalty or love: "Do you love my mother?" Thiago thinks so. SU answers, "He doesn't know what I think either, so there."; just like a little schoolboy caught having feelings for his teacher! So human. SU enjoys binge-watching space opera, which one of us humans hasn't engaged in that time-consuming inactivity in the name of relaxing? Human act? I think so! My favourite indication that SU behaves humanly is that even humans around it forget and accept its speech and action as anything but human:" There was that little flash of suprise humans have when I say something dosen't sound like their idea of what a SU should say." MB is acutely aware of this transgression and wouldn't if it didn't understand human subtleties.

Most of what we glean about MB is from its POV. So it is: nearly always clinical in its assessments, critical, irritable, combative, paranoid, never lets its guard down, has trust issues, everyone unknown to it is an adversary, all situations are interrupted as hostile, always in attack mode, it's as taut as a violin string. Of course, some of this is programming, but a lot is learned behaviour; this is how it assumes humans expect it to behave. Reality is much different. Once its crew gets familiar with it, they see less AI and earn their respect. MB shows that he is cognisant of vanity (one of the seven deadly sins... at least to humans); it doesn't like it when humans stare at its face; it's is aware of what passes as beauty in social norms. At one point Amena, comments: "Your face just got really weird. Are you alright?" Amena understands that as a human, it is hard to control facial expressions without a giveaway. Even SU's facile muscles are adapting, and subconsciously its humanness is showing through. These are just a few examples of what I believe is external pressure exerted from human kindness and the will to accept that which is not subjected to normalcy. I will close this comparison with the most poignant quote concerning MB's gradual transformation (spoken more as an internal assessment of itself): "Maybe because I was a thing before, I became a person and, if I'm not careful, I could be a thing again." What an incredibly endearing character!

Illustrator: Andis Reinbergs
There are a few points of interest I find of merit and would like to share. First, the relationship with the other SU encountered in the novel creates a bridge of SU to SU interaction. Second, a sensibility only understood between two SUs that were both once governed. Third, is the inactivation of the governing unit the first step in achieving consciousness? Fourth, Wells has a profound understanding of computers and how they function. Unfortunately, she is well versed in the vernacular associated with the computer subculture, so, in some passages involving extreme technical issues such as programming, coding, and hacking, the language becomes quite confusing. My suggestion: re-read the passage slowly, many times if you must; it will become more apparent. And finally, are we witnessing the beginnings of a militant group bent on unfolding into an anti Corportocracy adversary?

My recommendation to someone reading this review, and who becomes interested in the Murderbot series, is to take the time and read the four novellas that precede this novel. They are not lengthy, and in doing so, a timeline of events and significant character development will help answer some queries that may arise if read as a stand-alone. Reading Network Effect without the benefit of the novellas will not detract from enjoying the novel. Still, it will help illuminate some more obscure darker areas that are not so obvious. More importantly, it clearly defines what makes the MurderBot construct tick; think of them as a referential blueprint to the MurderBot universe.

MurderBot, somewhere along the way, experienced an Oz moment. If you listen hard enough, you can hear strains of If I Only Had A Heart. I wish our futuristic Tin Man well.

"If I got angry at myself for being angry, I would be constantly angry and, I wouldn't have time to think about anything else."
~SecUnit (MurderBot)

 




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