13 Oct 2014

BRINGING UP MIKE.


BRINGING UP MIKE by MARK DUNCAN.

SOURCE: Read and reviewed on behalf of the author.

THE BOOK ACCORDING TO THE BACK COVER: A teen prodigy makes drastic changes to his life and attends high school incognito with Mike, an artificial intelligence. His plans take an unexpected turn when he buys a neglected former racehorse. To achieve his goals, he must change everything about himself.

FIRST SENTENCE {August}: Joe rode his bicycle along Beef Hollow Road

MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 267}: "The God-fearing fundamentalists of the town were convinced that anyone with tattoos and piercings had the mark of Satan, was possessed, a prostitute, and probably had hepatitis C. They made my life a living hell."

MY THOUGHTS: OK, so first to tell you what this novel isn't. 

Despite what I felt was an awfully outdated cover it isn't a dated read but rather a very contemporary account of life as a modern slightly geeky, socially awkward teenager. Nor, despite it featuring a main character of Artificial Intelligence, would I describe it as a sci-fiction/fantasy read - rather disappointingly 'Mike' does not feature as often as I'd have liked and especially not in the earlier chapters. Bringing Up Mike is more a gentle coming of age story that actually isn't a story so much as a interwoven collection of events that occur when a teen prodigy finds himself, the guest of Martha and George, a newcomer at the local high school.

A book that you'll probably appreciate if you are after lots of morsels of information on subjects as diverse as the American school system and moving like a zombie to Civil War re-enactments and barbecue competitions and everything in between. A book that you'll doubtlessly love if you are into horses. For myself what I really enjoyed about the story and would liked to have read more of was Joe finding himself, the one-up-manship between himself and the almost pantomime like villain, Sly, and, more than anything else, Mike's questioning life and in particular his role in it (his pondering 'Am I a pet? Am I a slave' was one of the most moving things I've read in a while).

Overall an extremely thought provoking read for the young adult audience (and older) that will have you considering several moral/ethical dilemmas. Personally whilst I wasn't in awe of all the incidental information that came as part-and-parcel of the novel I do feel that Joe and Mike have a lot of mileage left in them, that this is only the beginning.


11 comments:

Karen said...

Really interesting premise. I don't think I would have bothered with it if not for your review.

Karen @ For What It's Worth

Kelly said...

A good review of what might be an interesting book. I'm just not sure it's really one for me for a variety of reasons.

Sherry Ellis said...

The cover does look a little outdated, but the book has an interesting premise. When was it written?

Suko said...

This sounds fascinating, Tracy,thanks to your review. I'm glad you found this moving and thought-provoking (a worthwhile read).

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Sounds cute enough but I'm not sure if it is for me. I do have someone in mind and need to recommend it to them. Brilly review!

Literary Feline said...

While I am not sure this book appeals to me, it sounds like something my friend's son would like.

brandileigh2003 said...

The thought provoking aspect with the moral dilemas sounds well done

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Tracy,

I generally only bother with YA fiction if specifically requested to by an author or publisher, so under normal circumstances this is one I would have passed on.

This seems to be the author's debut novel and a case of him having written about a subject dear to his heart, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.

It is always a good sign when you enjoy a book, so despite this one probably not being for me right now, I wish Mark every success with 'Bringing Up Mike' and thanks for the feature Tracy.

Brian Joseph said...

This does sound really good. I tend to like like of diverse references and happenings in a book.

I wonder if the name of "Mike" as the artificial intelligence is a reference to "Mike" in Robert Heinlein's The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, who was a computer who became sentient.

Melliane said...

Oh it sounds like a good one! I didn't know about this one but the ideas are intriguing and finally deeper than what me might think. thanks for the review!

Stephanie Faris said...

I love the concept behind this! Computers and technology are such a part of everyone's lives now, and books like this make young people stop to think about it.