Dual Memory

by

English language

Published May 1, 2023 by Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom.

ISBN:
978-1-250-80913-1
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(6 reviews)

Sue Burke, author of the acclaimed novel Semiosis , returns with Dual Memory, a standalone novel blending the hard science fiction of Her with the action adventure of The Third Man .

Antonio Moro lost everything to the Leviathan League. Now he's alone in a city on an Arctic island fighting the ruthless, global pirates with the chance to be the artist he always wanted to be. Unfortunately, he thinks it’s a cover story for his real purpose―spying on sympathizers.

When things look bleak, he discovers an unusual ally. His new personal assistant program, Par Augustus. It’s insolent, extroverted, moody, and a not-quite-legal nascent A. I.

Together they create a secret rebellion from unlikely recruits to defend the island from ideological pirates with entitlement and guns, and capitalist pirates with entitlement and money.

2 editions

reviewed Dual Memory by Sue Burke

Dual Memory

Set on a near-future artificial island in the arctic, this book focuses on the interplay of two characters and their worlds: Antonio, a survivor of raider attacks turned artist in residence for rich traders of extraterrestrial microorganisms, and Par Augustus, a personal assistant program that has spontaneously and secretly become sentient, and comes into the keeping of Antonio.

This book goes into a lot of different directions: the relationship between humans and machines, arguments about the nature of art and artists, utopias both human and machine, the lure of authoritarianism, and a critique of attempting to be neutral. I really enjoyed the complicated relationship of Antonio and Par as it developed over time, and the interactions of the machines with each other.

A few touchpoints in this book that reminded me of other things I've read: The tone is quite different, but the way this book talks about the dual …

reviewed Dual Memory by Sue Burke

Brilliant story, wonderful characters

The story begins abruptly. Soon, we are drawn into a science-fiction tale with a small cast of characters and tropes. There is action, subterfuge, and even courtroom drama. Is this story a warning? Are we mice?

reviewed Dual Memory by Sue Burke

None

I really liked this in some parts. The idea that all these machine intelligences exist just without the humans knowing was an underlying theme, but whether they were actually sentient felt inconsistently portrayed, in my opinion. At several points, the book says that Par (the main AI character) is one of only a handful of truly independent machines, but the evidence given could apply to a lot of the other less intelligent-seeming machines as well. (For instance, most of them exhibit emotional responses basically all the time.)

Anyway, this was definitely fun, although there were also some rather painful parts to get through, mostly involving unfair life situations for the main (human) character.

reviewed Dual Memory by Sue Burke

Review of 'Dual Memory' on 'Goodreads'

I enjoyed the Dual Memory story, my cynical side had difficulties with the Dual Memory universe.

Too many characters are cartoonishly naïve or evil. This creates tension as Antonio is sensible, but it stretched my credulity to the breaking point.

This is essentially a hopeful story n the vain of Becky Chambers novels, though it is darker and not as committed to positivity.

I'm not sure a world where only the intervention of a rogue AI saves Antonio and the island from the fascists is a hopeful one. Deus Ex Machina is fine if the intervention is in your favor. But do the goals if the gods align with humanity's best interests? Antonio / Sue Burke are worried.

There is a return to the ideas of Semiosis here, with an essentially benevolent alien intelligence shepherding the humans in its care towards its own goals.

I enjoyed Antonio's artistic expression. He …

reviewed Dual Memory by Sue Burke

Review of 'Dual Memory' on 'Goodreads'

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the ARC.

Without spoilers, Dual Memory is a science fiction novel that takes place on a secluded isle sometime in the future. It is full of artificial intelligence (from personal assistant gadgets to the security systems in buildings), raiders, intrigue, and alien lifeforms.

Sue Burke does a fantastic job weaving Antonio and Par Augustus's points of view, and I found I enjoyed the Leviathan League and Bronzewing subplots, despite not generally loving wartime stories. The novel is packed with interpersonal connections, mystery, and character, and I will definitely be tracking down Burke's other novels because I enjoyed this one so much.

I'd recommend this book to fans of Her and readers who appreciate conscious machines, futuristic war scenarios, and moral ambiguity.

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