stellathereader's review
4.0
Another winner from John Marrs. If you liked The One and The Passenger, then this book is for you. Another Black Mirror-esque story with short chapters and engrossing characters. Lots of twists and turns, filled to the brim with messy drama. Such an addictive book.
katlynmoran's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
chrissireads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elainenotbenes's review against another edition
4.0
John Marrs does it again! He creates a world in which tech advancements designed to make life easier or more fulfilling actually end up doing more harm than good. And this isn't like The Terminator or 2001: A Space Odyssey where the technology becomes the enemy by overpowering human intelligence, Marrs shows how humans still manage to hurt and mislead one another with the very advancements created to help navigate us through our days. What I love about Marrs' books, especially this one, is that it always comes back to the human condition, and how some persevere by remembering what really matters, while others fail in spectacular fashion by destroying themselves and everyone around them.
In a nutshell, 'The Marriage Act' takes place in a future Britain where marriage is law. And if you decide to be a party to said law, you get perks. Like a better home, better paying job, better health insurance. Your kids will have a better future. It's not too different from many of us who stick with a job we despise because we need dental and low co-pays when we go to the doctor to check our cholesterol. So, while you aren't "forced" to marry in the system the government has created, you may suffer the consequences in other ways. To make matters even worse, this future government is listening to how your relationship with your spouse is going (so that they can be sure you aren't faking the love to attain said perks), all courtesy of an Alexa-like device. You need to watch what you say to your spouse, or the government overlords will be on you like white on rice. And if the device decides you need help in your union, you get a human "relationship expert" to monitor and side eye you (WHILE POSSIBLY LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE FOR WEEKS???) before the courts determine if you should stay together. This novel was 1984 on crack.
The chapters are divided into different characters, all of whom are living in what I can only refer to as a matrimonial hellscape. Most of the characters will make your stomach churn because they are so incredibly selfish and despicable. If that doesn't bother you, I'd say this is a must-read for the Black Mirror and dystopian novel fan. The surprise at the end didn't surprise me (only because I'm ONTO YOU MARRS!), but that didn't make it any less enjoyable to read.
One final note: I enjoyed that the most recent controversies that have people talking were discussed, namely deep fakes and AI, and how very dangerous they can be.
In a nutshell, 'The Marriage Act' takes place in a future Britain where marriage is law. And if you decide to be a party to said law, you get perks. Like a better home, better paying job, better health insurance. Your kids will have a better future. It's not too different from many of us who stick with a job we despise because we need dental and low co-pays when we go to the doctor to check our cholesterol. So, while you aren't "forced" to marry in the system the government has created, you may suffer the consequences in other ways. To make matters even worse, this future government is listening to how your relationship with your spouse is going (so that they can be sure you aren't faking the love to attain said perks), all courtesy of an Alexa-like device. You need to watch what you say to your spouse, or the government overlords will be on you like white on rice. And if the device decides you need help in your union, you get a human "relationship expert" to monitor and side eye you (WHILE POSSIBLY LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE FOR WEEKS???) before the courts determine if you should stay together. This novel was 1984 on crack.
The chapters are divided into different characters, all of whom are living in what I can only refer to as a matrimonial hellscape. Most of the characters will make your stomach churn because they are so incredibly selfish and despicable. If that doesn't bother you, I'd say this is a must-read for the Black Mirror and dystopian novel fan. The surprise at the end didn't surprise me (only because I'm ONTO YOU MARRS!), but that didn't make it any less enjoyable to read.
One final note: I enjoyed that the most recent controversies that have people talking were discussed, namely deep fakes and AI, and how very dangerous they can be.
kindle_and_crossstitch's review against another edition
3.0
What would happen if our in home tech could listen to our conversations as couples and offer us relationship advice? What if there were big financial and social rewards for being married?
Another corker of a book set in John Marrs’ near future literary universe. This was a good listen; multiple storylines and narrators holding my attention. Not as much horror as in some of Marrs’ other stories, but still a few murders and psychopaths to be uncovered.
Another corker of a book set in John Marrs’ near future literary universe. This was a good listen; multiple storylines and narrators holding my attention. Not as much horror as in some of Marrs’ other stories, but still a few murders and psychopaths to be uncovered.
kellyhook_readsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
With his signature dark humor and wry social commentary, John Marrs brings readers back into his near-future dystopian world where “smart marriages” are set up by the government with the assistance of A.I. Married couples reap benefits from their union while singles face consequences. The story takes some twists and turns but readers should expect thought-provoking speculative fiction that could be more imminent than we’d like to believe.
READ THIS IF:
-Short chapters keep you turning the pages
-The One and The Passengers were big wins for you
-You love to speculate on what life will be like in the future
READ THIS IF:
-Short chapters keep you turning the pages
-The One and The Passengers were big wins for you
-You love to speculate on what life will be like in the future
yinkareadsthings's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this as a audiobook! The full cast was superb and I loved the Smart Marriage ads that popped up throughout the story.
I love a good unlikeable character, but some of these characters were awful awful humans.
This was a great read. I always love taking a pit stop I’m the dystopian worlds that John Marrs creates.
I love a good unlikeable character, but some of these characters were awful awful humans.
This was a great read. I always love taking a pit stop I’m the dystopian worlds that John Marrs creates.
porshainielsen's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved The One by John Marrs and this is a close second. As with The One, there are a lot of POV’s to immerse yourself in so the first 25% of it is a little difficult. Still such a cool concept.