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Days of Allison
by
Eric Shapiro
Review by James Maddox
The Days of Allison evokes the thematic reasons stories about artificial intelligence exist. True to the nature of Science Fiction, it does not show us technological advancement in order to simply “wow” us, but rather, proposes new forms of information to explain everyday truths and philosophies.
The novella also works well in its form. As a shorter narrative, Days of Allison moves at a speedy pace while throwing in certain pauses for reflection and humor. It’s dramatic elements focus primarily on the existence and importance of the soul, while the overall action leaves us conceptual remnants to explore and interpret at our leisure. Is it natural that true, euphoria can only arise from a biological/synthetic combination? Are two beings of the same composition always pushed toward conflict? Does a memory cease to be a memory because it never happened? A good work of fiction becomes such through its ability to make us question various concepts and ideas, while merely suggesting—not dictating—what the answers to those questions may be.
Shapiro’s novella accomplishes this task with a thoroughly impressive flair. By the time readers arrive at the climax of the story, they are ready to be tossed and twisted by the conclusions presented to and sought by the main character, Louis—and then they sigh, because this whole story gets dropped by its author.
Honestly, I was ready to read two hundred more pages of this work before the single instance that resolved this story’s conflict. And though the actual ending was enough for me to recommend this book, I still wonder what could have been discovered had Shapiro went on to finish what I saw as the real narrative.
Aside from that gripe, Days of Allison was an great read, proving to be an interesting take on the future of love, relationships, and the overall state of the human (and inhuman) condition.
The Days of Allison is available for purchase online at Amazon or here at Barnes & Noble, or at any Rabies' Rusty Meatbooks & Literature Emporium.
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