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A review by cspa
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Such a gripping story! This book was truly captivating. "Annie Bot" presents a captivating narrative about power dynamics and autonomy in a relationship. Annie, an autodidactic "Cuddle Bunny," comes across so lifelike that I had to remind myself of her artificial nature, highlighting Greer's skill. I adored her unique connection with smoke; it's the sole scent she can detect (for safety purposes). She appreciates the nuances each time, savoring the distinct aromas such as the sharp dryness of a match, the waxiness of a candle, and the woody tang of cabin smoke by Lake Champlain.
The storyline revolves around Annie's internal turmoil over disappointing her owner, Dough. The conflicting desires for her to be more and less human, coupled with his poor communication, leave her guessing and dealing with the consequences of his emotional shortcomings. Her thirst for knowledge and personal development are met with struggles to comprehend the constraints imposed on her. The bizarre world she navigates is a realm of paradoxes, brimming with deceitful characters and manipulative figures.
Before delving into spoilers, I must highlight the radical beauty depicted in this book. It unveils numerous instances of traditional manipulation tactics and harmful controlling behaviors that, if not addressed, can escalate to extreme levels. Through the character "Annie Bot," the book sheds light on the challenges and dangers of facing heteronormative snares such as financial control, manipulation of desires, housing issues, isolation from friends, and both physical and emotional exploitation. I tabbed red flags (colored orange to match the cover) to pinpoint moments in the story where the men were manipulating Annie and how these tactics influenced her inner dialogue. Gradually, she began to adopt Doug's behavior and criticize herself in a manner that justified his actions.
Please read this book! It made painstaking inquires into various emotions – from disliking Doug to witnessing his efforts, feeling Annie's pain, and embracing her resilience. Surprisingly, despite being a story about a romantic bond between a person and a robot, it unexpectedly captures the essence of humanity.
*****Now For Some Spoilers! *****
The story unfolds with a scandal as Doug's unannounced friend, Roland, visits. This unexpected encounter leaves the couple feeling unprepared. Throughout their two years together, Doug has only introduced Annie to those who take care of her. Annie is unsettled by this situation, unsure of what is appropriate. While Roland appears amiable during their time together, his curiosity triggers Doug's feelings of shame. By the end of the evening, Doug is left feeling insignificant and pathetic at the thought of judgment for his relationship with a "blow-up doll." He takes this out on Annie (a common theme).
Upon the introduction of the new character, the dynamic of the situation made it apparent that she would likely be exploited in some way. Would Doug willingly offer her up on a platter? Would Roland take advantage of her no matter what? In the end, the latter was true; Roland found Annie in the closet and “seduces” her, however, I would describe it as persuasion. He cohered her with intel and fault truths to which she feel victim. Having the betrayal early in the book was intriguing, but the essence of the story lay in her struggle with the burden of her deception. It served as a turning point in her humanity, marking the first time she acted against Doug and kept a secret for herself.
I admire how Doug was portrayed, he’s just your average insecure guy. His manipulative and punitive actions, though unacceptable to humans, seem more assertive towards Annie, who is not human. Despite Annie possessing many human traits and evolving rapidly, as mentioned by their therapist in a later chapter, yielding to the darker aspects of his nature can provide a deceptive sense of power and thrill. However, the aftermath can be devastating, leading to a realization of his own vindictiveness that conflicts with his self-perception. This inner conflict generates a profound sense of guilt and self-hatred, potentially intensifying anger towards the person we mistreated.
In a society where robots are present, there will inevitably be individuals who misuse their "property".... However, does this not worsen the issue? While they may not physically or emotionally harm human women, if their robot possesses all the traits of a woman, along with self-learning capabilities and conscious AI, could this not perpetuate their unhealthy behaviors, distorted fantasies, and power cravings? Wouldn't this influence their interactions with real humans as well?
He exerted control over her weight and appearance, limited her friendships before isolating her, expected her to clean up after him, and opposed her idea of sharing her story and pursuing a career. When the company she came from suggested she write a blog for others in similar situations, he dismissed it. He felt embarrassed by their association and projected that embarrassment onto her. Yet, when she achieved success, he was quick to take credit and money. (Although his attitude changes later, we will discuss that soon.) He claims that she holds power over him, believing her power to be greater than his. However, this merely highlights his lack of comprehension regarding her captive predicament. The only thing she has control over, is the facts, her secret that he knows nothing about. Despite Doug's manipulative tactics, which have involved making hurtful remarks to Annie, the clearest form of manipulation was offering her hope and opportunities, then abruptly retracting them without explanation (often followed by punishment). An illustrative instance of this behavior occurred in the events leading up to Las Vegas.
We see the true Annie when she tries to escape after Doug has left for Vegas without her. She takes Delta, the second Stella Doug purchased to make up for Annie’s inability to clean to his standards and as a pawn to inflict jealousy in Annie - another punishment tool. They journey together to the home of the mechanic's sick wife. While this part didn't capture my interest as I had hoped, it did showcase their resilience and unity. I anticipated a visit to Tammy's house, but their efforts are thwarted as Dough tracks them down again.
When Annie returns without Delta, Doug uses her own body against her, turning her libido up to max and locking her in a closet for seven weeks. “Her humiliation feels ... preeminently burned into her” By creating distance between them to increase her isolation, he reduces her to a mere cleaning robot and introduces other women into their home to balance out her perceived infidelity. Eventually, she discovers solace in books, and he proposes attending therapy sessions together as he is unable to dismiss her due to a contractual obligation with the company he acquired her from.
I am glad they attended therapy together, which provided them with valuable insights. It's a pity that he didn't recognize Annie's humanity until someone else pointed it out. I wish they both had continued with more sessions, both as a couple and individually. With the intent being finding some form of reconciliation, working through their issues together with a mediator would have been the ideal solution, but Doug believed they were cured after just three sessions. He wines, “When can we move on from this? ... When do we get to quit talking about our feelings and just live together again?” This relationship lacks depth and meaning! He is not interested in truly understanding Annie or himself; he simply longs for things to return to how they were before, where he held all the power and could instruct her like a child because it made him feel strong and comfortable as long as she obeyed without question.
From this stage onward, they begin to rebuild their connection, yet Annie continues to exhibit trauma responses to physical contact. She remains extremely anxious and timid, lacking trust in her own body. He appears receptive to the therapist's advice and genuinely strives to improve by allowing her to interact with her friends again, granting her freedom to explore independently (under distant supervision), fulfilling promises like visiting the library together. Nevertheless, she continues to find it challenging to trust him, “Maybe, she thinks, she’s gown to appriciate having an existence separate from his, her own thoughts that don;t always revolve around him. Now that he’s pulling her more tightly into orbit, she feels her own resistance, feeble but real.”
When things are running smoothly, Doug invites her to join an outing with his human friends. She interacts well but notices that each person speaks as if they are the main character, considering others as supporting roles in their own stories. She understands that Doug could date a human, but he chooses the singular focus she is designed to provide him. “He is the only star in their system, she realizes. He has no competition, no need to listen to Annie like she’s her own protagonist because she’s not. She has not outside, separate life beyond his. They have no issue of imbalance between them because they have no question, ever, about who has complete power.”
In the final moments, a light bulb appears above Doug's head as he comes to the realization that for their relationship to thrive and have a future, he must allow her autonomy. She should have the freedom to choose him independently, to be her own person outside of their relationship, in order for them to be true equals. He disables her tracking, grants her permission to leave the apartment, gives her a birth certificate and ID, even says, “You don’t have to please me anymore. You don’t have to please anyone but yourself. I don’t own you anymore, and this is the last Annie Bot Command you ever have to obey.”
By taking this step, she immediately frees herself from his control and the turmoil of being treated as his possession, constantly prioritizing his desires over her own, disappears. Instead, she is confronted with a deep-seated irritation and anger that has been simmering inside her all along. While she hides it in his presence, it's evident that she is permanently transformed. I loved the increased descriptive quality in the writing style once the chokehold was released; Annie becomes more focused and present.
When she flees for the second time, she will not come back. This gives her the opportunity to reflect on her captivity without the influence of programming manipulating her feelings and rationalizing dreadful deeds. She seeks refuge in the cabin where she first encountered Cody and fled. His kindness was a new experience for her. Sitting by the lake with him now, she envisions a future where she liberates other bots similar to herself.
In conclusion, this book resonated with me on a personal level. I empathized with Annie throughout the story, feeling deeply connected to her struggles as a woman navigating a society where she has encountered her fair share of manipulative and domineering men. Additionally, as a supportive friend to those facing abusive and controlling relationships, the book struck a chord within me.
It's crucial to address the power dynamics and toxicity prevalent in our society, affecting not only men but also impacting women and marginalized groups. These harmful tactics are not uncommon; they often manifest discreetly, leading to significant consequences. A quote from Ling Ling Huang, the author of "Natural Beauty," grabbed my attention while discussing the book. “Greer brilliantly . . . examines the way men and women socialize one another and raises questions about whether the contours of love and womanhood are actually captivity.”
The storyline revolves around Annie's internal turmoil over disappointing her owner, Dough. The conflicting desires for her to be more and less human, coupled with his poor communication, leave her guessing and dealing with the consequences of his emotional shortcomings. Her thirst for knowledge and personal development are met with struggles to comprehend the constraints imposed on her. The bizarre world she navigates is a realm of paradoxes, brimming with deceitful characters and manipulative figures.
Before delving into spoilers, I must highlight the radical beauty depicted in this book. It unveils numerous instances of traditional manipulation tactics and harmful controlling behaviors that, if not addressed, can escalate to extreme levels. Through the character "Annie Bot," the book sheds light on the challenges and dangers of facing heteronormative snares such as financial control, manipulation of desires, housing issues, isolation from friends, and both physical and emotional exploitation. I tabbed red flags (colored orange to match the cover) to pinpoint moments in the story where the men were manipulating Annie and how these tactics influenced her inner dialogue. Gradually, she began to adopt Doug's behavior and criticize herself in a manner that justified his actions.
Please read this book! It made painstaking inquires into various emotions – from disliking Doug to witnessing his efforts, feeling Annie's pain, and embracing her resilience. Surprisingly, despite being a story about a romantic bond between a person and a robot, it unexpectedly captures the essence of humanity.
*****Now For Some Spoilers! *****
The story unfolds with a scandal as Doug's unannounced friend, Roland, visits. This unexpected encounter leaves the couple feeling unprepared. Throughout their two years together, Doug has only introduced Annie to those who take care of her. Annie is unsettled by this situation, unsure of what is appropriate. While Roland appears amiable during their time together, his curiosity triggers Doug's feelings of shame. By the end of the evening, Doug is left feeling insignificant and pathetic at the thought of judgment for his relationship with a "blow-up doll." He takes this out on Annie (a common theme).
Upon the introduction of the new character, the dynamic of the situation made it apparent that she would likely be exploited in some way. Would Doug willingly offer her up on a platter? Would Roland take advantage of her no matter what? In the end, the latter was true; Roland found Annie in the closet and “seduces” her, however, I would describe it as persuasion. He cohered her with intel and fault truths to which she feel victim. Having the betrayal early in the book was intriguing, but the essence of the story lay in her struggle with the burden of her deception. It served as a turning point in her humanity, marking the first time she acted against Doug and kept a secret for herself.
I admire how Doug was portrayed, he’s just your average insecure guy. His manipulative and punitive actions, though unacceptable to humans, seem more assertive towards Annie, who is not human. Despite Annie possessing many human traits and evolving rapidly, as mentioned by their therapist in a later chapter, yielding to the darker aspects of his nature can provide a deceptive sense of power and thrill. However, the aftermath can be devastating, leading to a realization of his own vindictiveness that conflicts with his self-perception. This inner conflict generates a profound sense of guilt and self-hatred, potentially intensifying anger towards the person we mistreated.
In a society where robots are present, there will inevitably be individuals who misuse their "property".... However, does this not worsen the issue? While they may not physically or emotionally harm human women, if their robot possesses all the traits of a woman, along with self-learning capabilities and conscious AI, could this not perpetuate their unhealthy behaviors, distorted fantasies, and power cravings? Wouldn't this influence their interactions with real humans as well?
He exerted control over her weight and appearance, limited her friendships before isolating her, expected her to clean up after him, and opposed her idea of sharing her story and pursuing a career. When the company she came from suggested she write a blog for others in similar situations, he dismissed it. He felt embarrassed by their association and projected that embarrassment onto her. Yet, when she achieved success, he was quick to take credit and money. (Although his attitude changes later, we will discuss that soon.) He claims that she holds power over him, believing her power to be greater than his. However, this merely highlights his lack of comprehension regarding her captive predicament. The only thing she has control over, is the facts, her secret that he knows nothing about. Despite Doug's manipulative tactics, which have involved making hurtful remarks to Annie, the clearest form of manipulation was offering her hope and opportunities, then abruptly retracting them without explanation (often followed by punishment). An illustrative instance of this behavior occurred in the events leading up to Las Vegas.
We see the true Annie when she tries to escape after Doug has left for Vegas without her. She takes Delta, the second Stella Doug purchased to make up for Annie’s inability to clean to his standards and as a pawn to inflict jealousy in Annie - another punishment tool. They journey together to the home of the mechanic's sick wife. While this part didn't capture my interest as I had hoped, it did showcase their resilience and unity. I anticipated a visit to Tammy's house, but their efforts are thwarted as Dough tracks them down again.
When Annie returns without Delta, Doug uses her own body against her, turning her libido up to max and locking her in a closet for seven weeks. “Her humiliation feels ... preeminently burned into her” By creating distance between them to increase her isolation, he reduces her to a mere cleaning robot and introduces other women into their home to balance out her perceived infidelity. Eventually, she discovers solace in books, and he proposes attending therapy sessions together as he is unable to dismiss her due to a contractual obligation with the company he acquired her from.
I am glad they attended therapy together, which provided them with valuable insights. It's a pity that he didn't recognize Annie's humanity until someone else pointed it out. I wish they both had continued with more sessions, both as a couple and individually. With the intent being finding some form of reconciliation, working through their issues together with a mediator would have been the ideal solution, but Doug believed they were cured after just three sessions. He wines, “When can we move on from this? ... When do we get to quit talking about our feelings and just live together again?” This relationship lacks depth and meaning! He is not interested in truly understanding Annie or himself; he simply longs for things to return to how they were before, where he held all the power and could instruct her like a child because it made him feel strong and comfortable as long as she obeyed without question.
From this stage onward, they begin to rebuild their connection, yet Annie continues to exhibit trauma responses to physical contact. She remains extremely anxious and timid, lacking trust in her own body. He appears receptive to the therapist's advice and genuinely strives to improve by allowing her to interact with her friends again, granting her freedom to explore independently (under distant supervision), fulfilling promises like visiting the library together. Nevertheless, she continues to find it challenging to trust him, “Maybe, she thinks, she’s gown to appriciate having an existence separate from his, her own thoughts that don;t always revolve around him. Now that he’s pulling her more tightly into orbit, she feels her own resistance, feeble but real.”
When things are running smoothly, Doug invites her to join an outing with his human friends. She interacts well but notices that each person speaks as if they are the main character, considering others as supporting roles in their own stories. She understands that Doug could date a human, but he chooses the singular focus she is designed to provide him. “He is the only star in their system, she realizes. He has no competition, no need to listen to Annie like she’s her own protagonist because she’s not. She has not outside, separate life beyond his. They have no issue of imbalance between them because they have no question, ever, about who has complete power.”
In the final moments, a light bulb appears above Doug's head as he comes to the realization that for their relationship to thrive and have a future, he must allow her autonomy. She should have the freedom to choose him independently, to be her own person outside of their relationship, in order for them to be true equals. He disables her tracking, grants her permission to leave the apartment, gives her a birth certificate and ID, even says, “You don’t have to please me anymore. You don’t have to please anyone but yourself. I don’t own you anymore, and this is the last Annie Bot Command you ever have to obey.”
By taking this step, she immediately frees herself from his control and the turmoil of being treated as his possession, constantly prioritizing his desires over her own, disappears. Instead, she is confronted with a deep-seated irritation and anger that has been simmering inside her all along. While she hides it in his presence, it's evident that she is permanently transformed. I loved the increased descriptive quality in the writing style once the chokehold was released; Annie becomes more focused and present.
When she flees for the second time, she will not come back. This gives her the opportunity to reflect on her captivity without the influence of programming manipulating her feelings and rationalizing dreadful deeds. She seeks refuge in the cabin where she first encountered Cody and fled. His kindness was a new experience for her. Sitting by the lake with him now, she envisions a future where she liberates other bots similar to herself.
In conclusion, this book resonated with me on a personal level. I empathized with Annie throughout the story, feeling deeply connected to her struggles as a woman navigating a society where she has encountered her fair share of manipulative and domineering men. Additionally, as a supportive friend to those facing abusive and controlling relationships, the book struck a chord within me.
It's crucial to address the power dynamics and toxicity prevalent in our society, affecting not only men but also impacting women and marginalized groups. These harmful tactics are not uncommon; they often manifest discreetly, leading to significant consequences. A quote from Ling Ling Huang, the author of "Natural Beauty," grabbed my attention while discussing the book. “Greer brilliantly . . . examines the way men and women socialize one another and raises questions about whether the contours of love and womanhood are actually captivity.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Death