The Candy House

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In 2010, brilliant tech entrepreneur Bix Bouton seeks a groundbreaking idea. At forty and restless with four kids, he engages in a conversation with Columbia professors, one of whom is exploring the concept of "externalizing" memory. Within a decade, Bix's innovation, Own Your Unconscious, emerges, enabling users to access and share memories, captivating many but not all. Egan weaves spellbinding narratives that explore the ramifications of this technology through interconnected characters over several decades. She introduces them in diverse styles—ranging from omniscient narration to first-person plural, epistolary formats, and even tweets. In Egan's imaginative world, "counters" exploit desires while "eluders" recognize the costs of indulging in the allure of the Candy House. The work is both intellectually stunning and emotionally resonant, presenting a bold vision of a near-future society. With themes of social media, gaming, and alternate realities, readers can nearly navigate through dimensions akin to a role-playing game. Egan's exploration of the darker facets of our technology-driven culture reaches new heights, offering a powerful testament to the enduring human quest for connection, love, family, privacy, and redemption.