The Candy House Summary
The Candy House, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan, is a riveting audiobook that explores the consequences of using technology to access our deepest memories. Narrated by Michael Boatman and Nicole Lewis, the audiobook features an astonishing array of narrative styles, offering an intellectually dazzling and moving account of human longing for connection, family, privacy, and love.
The story begins with Bix Bouton, a successful tech entrepreneur who is desperate for a new idea. He stumbles upon a group of Columbia professors who are experimenting with downloading or "externalizing" memory. Within a decade, Bix's new technology, "Own Your Unconscious," which allows users to access every memory they've ever had, and to share their memories in exchange for access to the memories of others, has taken the world by storm.
However, the use of this technology comes at a cost. There are "counters" who track and exploit people's desires, and there are "eluders," those who understand the risks of indulging in the Candy House. As the story unfolds, we meet a range of characters, each with their own unique relationship to the technology and its consequences.
The narrative style of The Candy House is truly remarkable. Egan employs a variety of techniques, from omniscient narration to first-person plural to a chapter of tweets, to tell the story in a way that is both innovative and engaging. The result is an audiobook that feels fresh and exciting, even as it grapples with weighty themes like memory, identity, and the nature of human connection.
The characters in The Candy House are also incredibly compelling. Bix is a fascinating protagonist, driven by a restless desire for success and innovation. His wife, Diana, is a fiercely independent artist who is skeptical of the technology's potential impact on privacy and personal relationships. And then there is Inez, a former employee of Bix's who becomes embroiled in a complex scheme to exploit the Candy House's users.
As the audiobook progresses, we see how the characters' relationships to the technology evolve and shift. Some become addicted to the Candy House's pleasures, while others resist its pull. And as the consequences of the technology begin to emerge, the characters are forced to grapple with the ethical implications of their choices.
Ultimately, The Candy House is a deeply affecting meditation on the human experience. Through its exploration of memory, desire, and connection, it offers a powerful commentary on the ways in which technology is reshaping our lives and our relationships. The audiobook is a must-listen for fans of Egan's work, as well as anyone interested in the intersection of technology and humanity. With its compelling characters, innovative narrative style, and thought-provoking themes, The Candy House is a true masterpiece of contemporary literature.
