Little Eyes

Samanta Schweblin

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voyeurism and emotional entanglement

original, creepy, and speculative writing style

consequences of digital privacy

interconnected narratives exploring reality and virtual reality

impact of technology on human relationships

technological themes in unsettling domestic settings

psychological depth and fragmented storytelling

diverse characters with complex motivations

episodic pacing with gripping urgency

literary fiction with elements of psychological horror

Who Would Like This Book:

If you love Black Mirror, are fascinated by tech dystopias, or enjoy books that spark deep conversations about our relationships with technology and privacy, Little Eyes is for you. Schweblin takes a creepy yet realistic premise - plushy robot pets with 'little eyes' that strangers can remotely control and watch through - and spins it into a global kaleidoscope of human connection and loneliness. It's provocative, unsettling, and packed with big ideas about voyeurism, anonymity, and how we define intimacy in a connected world. Perfect for book clubs and anyone who enjoys speculative fiction with a literary edge.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you prefer tightly plotted stories, clear resolutions, or need to connect deeply with main characters, this may not be your cup of tea. Some readers found the episodic structure disjointed, with multiple storylines that never fully come together or offer closure. Others felt that the book prioritized its techy premise and atmosphere over delivering original insights or a satisfying narrative arc. If you're looking for hard sci-fi explanations or expect a sense of hope or uplift, you might find Little Eyes more disturbing than entertaining.

A haunting, innovative, and timely novel that blurs the line between today's tech and tomorrow's nightmares - Little Eyes is memorable, disquieting, and perfect for readers who appreciate a chilling reflection on modern connectivity.

About:

'Little Eyes' by Samanta Schweblin revolves around the concept of kentukis, small robotic creatures controlled by individuals connected online. The story spans across different countries, exploring the relationships between the kentuki keepers and the dwellers. The narrative delves into the consequences of allowing strangers to have access to one's personal space through these little machines, raising questions about privacy, trust, and human connections in the digital age. Schweblin's writing style is described as original, creepy, and speculative, with a focus on interconnected tales that form a novel exploring the blurred lines between reality, virtual reality, and online presence.

Characters:

Characters are diverse and driven by complex motivations, revealing the darker sides of human relationships in the context of technology.

Writing/Prose:

The author employs an engaging style that blends psychological depth with a fragmented, interconnected narrative approach.

Plot/Storyline:

The novel examines the effects of the Kentuki technology, which allows a remote user to control a robotic pet in another person's home, creating complex dynamics of voyeurism and emotional entanglement.

Setting:

The novel's setting spans various international locations, grounding the technological theme in familiar yet unsettling domestic environments.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, oscillating between gripping urgency and slower narrative development, contributing to an episodic feel.

A TEXT BOX APPEARED on the screen. It demanded a serial number, and Emilia sighed and shifted in her wicker chair. Those kinds of requirements were what most drove her to desperation. At least her son...

Notes:

The novel introduces a fictional technology called 'Kentuki', which are plush animal-like robots that are remotely controlled by anonymous users.

Kentukis are designed to fulfill a voyeuristic desire, allowing Dwellers to observe Keepers' lives without revealing their identity.

The relationship between Keepers (those who have the Kentuki in their home) and Dwellers (those controlling the Kentuki) is established randomly, leading to unforeseen interactions and consequences.

The story explores themes of loneliness, voyeurism, and the complexities of modern relationships influenced by technology.

The narrative consists of parallel stories featuring diverse characters from various countries, illustrating how technology can both connect and alienate us.

The book has been compared to episodes of 'Black Mirror' due to its eerie and unsettling exploration of technology's impact on human connections.

Argentinian author Samanta Schweblin, noted for her literary horror, aims to provoke thought about the ethical implications of surveillance and personal privacy.

Little Eyes was originally published in Spanish as 'Kentukis' and translated into English by Megan McDowell.

The narrative often highlights the tension between intimacy and anonymity in contemporary digital interactions.

Readers have described the work as a mixture of horror and speculative fiction, filled with psychological depth and a sense of dread.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Little Eyes include themes of abuse, psychological distress, voyeurism, and emotional trauma.

From The Publisher:

A visionary novel about our interconnected world, about the collision of horror and humanity, from the Man Booker-shortlisted master of the spine-tingling tale

A Guardian & Observer Best Fiction Book of 2020 * A Sunday Times Best Science Fiction Book of the Year * The Times Best Science Fiction Books of the Year * NPR Best Books of the Year

World Literature Today's 75 Notable Translations of 2020 * Ebook Travel Guides Best 5 Books of 2020 * A New York Times Notable Book of 2020

They're not pets. Not ghosts or robots. These are kentukis, and they are in your home. You can trust them. They care about you...

They've infiltrated apartments in Hong Kong, shops in Vancouver, the streets of Sierra Leone, town squares of Oaxaca, schools in Tel Aviv, bedrooms in Indiana. Anonymous and untraceable, these seemingly cute cuddly toys reveal the beauty of connection between far-flung souls - but they also expose the ugly truth of our interconnected society.

Samanta Schweblin's wildly imaginative new novel pulls us into a dark and complex world of unexpected love, playful encounters and marvellous adventures. But beneath the cuddly exterior, kentukis conceal a truth that is unsettlingly familiar and exhilaratingly real. This is our present and we're living it - we just don't know it yet.

*Little Eyes comes with two different covers, and the cover you receive will be chosen at random*

May 2020

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255 pages

Ratings (14)

Loved It (5)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (3)

Reader Stats (42):

Read It (17)
Want To Read (21)
Not Interested (4)

1 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

Did Not Like

1 year

Liked the premise but it just missed the mark for me.

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About the Author:

Samanta Schweblin is the author of the novel Fever Dream, a finalist for the Man Booker International Prize, and the collection A Mouthful of Birds, longlisted for the same prize. Chosen by Granta as one of the twenty-two best writers in Spanish under the…

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