This edition has not yet been published
If available, why not choose another format from the 'Other Formats' box on the right.
I Still Dream
James Smythe
Lovereading view...
What happens when all the personal information held by tech companies is no longer private? What happens when this code of ethics is broken? When everyone in your world - in the world – can know all your secrets? This thoroughly thought-provoking novel addresses such questions - and more - as it explores the all-encompassing impact of recent, emerging and conjectured future technology through a haunting and powerfully personal account of one woman’s life.
It’s 1997 and, at the tender age of 17, Laura Bow has created a basic artificial intelligence, which she names Organon after a Kate Bush lyric. Organon begins life as Laura’s imaginary friend. This creation is her outlet, a vent, a means of dealing with the loss of her father who vanished when she was seven. As Laura grows older and gains more experiences and memories, for a time working at the tech company her father founded and sold shortly before he disappeared, so Organon grows with her. Much like a skilled human personal assistant, it informs and supports Laura through her life, managing what she needs to be aware of, filtering out the superfluous, and anticipating her needs. But, as new technologies are developed and companies create intelligences with far less morality programmed into them than Organon, millions of personal and political secrets are unleashed and the world is sent reeling to the brink of breakdown.
Shifting forward in decades from 1997, the cleverly-spun narrative spans Laura’s entire life, from the early years of dial-up Internet, to a speculative future that serves as something of a wake-up call. Taking in artificial intelligence, human intelligence, love, loss, and meaningful memories, this novel might make you reflect on how much time you spend online, and what you do and disclose there. Above all, this is an absorbing story about humanity, making moral choices and living your best life with love and ethics. ~ Joanne Owen
If you like James Smythe you might also like to read books by Iain Banks, Iain M. Banks and Robert J. Sawyer.
Reader Reviews
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.
- Charlotte Walker - 'Absolutely brilliant! I can't recommend this book enough! If you have even the slightest interest in sci-fi or technology, this is a must read!'
- Kathryn Eastman - 'A compelling story of a reclusive Internet coding prodigy, her missing father, corporate ambition, love, loss and creation which begins steeped in hormones and nostalgia but becomes scarily prescient.'
- Britteny Sutcliffe - 'An excellent, modern take on a sci-fi novel that had me hooked throughout and left me considering just how much technology should feature in our lives.'
- Victoria Emerson - 'I thoroughly enjoyed it and it sparked a big discussion in my family about the role of AI.'
Synopsis
I Still Dream by James Smythe
A strikingly intelligent book about intelligence itself - Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent 1997. 17-year-old Laura Bow has invented a rudimentary artificial intelligence, and named it Organon. At first it's intended to be a sounding-board for her teenage frustrations, a surrogate best friend; but as she grows older, Organon grows with her. As the world becomes a very different place, technology changes the way we live, love and die; massive corporations develop rival intelligences to Laura's, ones without safety barriers or morals; and Laura is forced to decide whether to share her creation with the world. If it falls into the wrong hands, she knows, its power could be abused. But what if Organon is the only thing that can stop humanity from hurting itself irreparably? I STILL DREAM is a powerful tale of love, loss and hope; a frightening, heartbreakingly human look at who we are now - and who we can be, if we only allow ourselves.
Reviews
Praise for I Still Dream:
`The best fictional treatment of the possibilities and horrors of artificial intelligence that I've read
Guardian
`A haunting meditation on the implications of AI, on intelligence itself, and on what it means to live and die in the age of technology. I Still Dream is a must-read for fans of David Mitchell, for anyone who's ever used a smartphone, and for anyone who appreciates riveting plots and beautiful prose.
Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven
`Combines tense corporate drama with a tender and affecting life story. Although it describes the creation of an artificial intelligence, it is really about how we create ourselves, and the people we love. Though rooted in today's news and debates, its human story makes it timeless ... a profound and beautiful book
Will Wiles
`A humane, thought-provoking and powerful book ... superbly orchestrated ... beautiful, involving, emotionally compelling
Adam Roberts
`One of the most affecting and brilliant books I've read this year ... a huge achievement: toweringly ambitious, and yet beautifully controlled and crafted
Sam Byers, author of Idiopathy
`I STILL DREAM begins with melancholy nostalgia, before growing urgently contemporary and finally chillingly prescient. It is a strikingly intelligent book about intelligence itself: artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, and all the ways we watch each other. Having read it, you may wish to turn off your phone
Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent
Praise for James Smythe:
`A writer with a preternaturally powerful and distinctive voice
Guardian
`Smythe's storytelling is pacey and addictive; he has a fiendish talent for springing surprises
The Times
About the Author
![]() |
|


Book Info
Publication date
5th April 2018Author
James SmytheMore books by James Smythe
Author 'Like for Like'
recommendations
Author's Website
jpsmythe.comAuthor's Facebook Latest


Publisher
The Borough Press an imprint of HarperCollins PublishersFormat
Paperback400 pages
Categories
Literary Fiction
Science Fiction
Weekly Staff Picks

ISBN
9780007541959With literary excellence, humour and drama, Lovereading's got value and is a real stress-calmer!
Siobhan McDowell
Lovereading is an amazing place to be, the website is wonderful and to me if I'm sad I'll go here and it cheers me up!
Sophia Upton
Lovereading tells me about new books before they hit the shelves, lets me find other authors I may like and has great prize draws!
Sheila Dale
I love Lovereading because of its ability to connect people that love books & unite them in a friendly, stimulating & interesting community.
Megan Olwen William
The selections are so varied and the reader reviews are so helpful. A fantastic website for those who love books.
Ann Quintilla
Lovereading are lovely people who send me lovely books. What's not to love?
Gavin Dimmock
It is a website dedicated to those who adore reading It really is a one stop shop for book lovers. Love it!
Edel Waugh
Lovereading always comes up with great suggestions and has introduced me to enjoyable books and new authors to discover.
Gaynor Passmore


Share this page
What is this?