
Speak
A Novel
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By:
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Louisa Hall
About this listen
A thoughtful, poignant novel that explores the creation of artificial intelligence - illuminating the very human need for communication, connection, and understanding.
In a narrative that spans geography and time, from the Atlantic Ocean in the 17th century to a correctional institute in Texas in the near future, and told from the perspectives of five very different characters, Speak considers what it means to be human and what it means to be less than fully alive.
A young Puritan woman travels to the New World with her unwanted new husband. Alan Turing, the renowned mathematician and code breaker, writes letters to his best friend's mother. A Jewish refugee and professor of computer science struggles to reconnect with his increasingly detached wife. An isolated and traumatized young girl exchanges messages with an intelligent software program. A former Silicon Valley wunderkind is imprisoned for creating illegal lifelike dolls.
Each of these characters is attempting to communicate across gaps - to estranged spouses, lost friends, future readers, or a computer program that may or may not understand them. In dazzling and electrifying prose, Louisa Hall explores how the chasm between computer and human - shrinking rapidly with today's technological advances - echoes the gaps that exist between ordinary people. Though each speaks from a distinct place and moment in time, all five characters share the need to express themselves while simultaneously wondering if they will ever be heard or understood.
©2015 Louisa Hall (P)2015 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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Spring for a professional narrator, please!
- By Gail D. on 11-05-18
Almost all the voice talent is great, except for the person who voices Karl Dettmann, which is why I gave the performances a 4 instead of a 5.
Takes a WHILE to sink in, but by the end its great
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This may be one of the most influential books to live onto the future.
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Definitely worth your time.
Like nothing else
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Setting that unfortunate mispronunciation aside, the book is quite clever and poetic.
Well written; Mispronounced “Wittgenstein”
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I loved all of the narrators except for Bill Jurney. His voice just didn't suit the character and his reading was a little awkward. However, his parts are few and pretty short, so it wasn't too painful. The rest of the narrators are so good that it's worth getting the audiobook version. I tried to think of one of the others to single out as being the best, but couldn't decide because they're all perfection.
Near Perfection
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This was such a unique book. I loved every word.
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Caveat: I binge listened to this book on a cross country auto trip,. It is possible that I missed occasional plot connection and some nuance.
You don't need me to describe the plot. it is reviewed elsewhere. If that interests you, then the only question is whether the book delivers on its promise. In this case it generally does. The plot is quite intriguing. I like having different narrators for different voices. I was put off by one of the narrators as he sort of made his character both mentally and emotionally challenged. I now realize that the character probably was. The order of the chapters is difficult to follow in the way there are so many jumps in time. If I were to read this book in hard copy, I would read it chronologically. I may yet do so.
Worth the credit.
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My hat is off to the narrators for giving depth and feeling to this poignant and moving work. It is more diary, or multiple diary, than novel, but it accomplishes its work. You will think deeply on what it means to speak, what it is to hear, and what we are to feel. The voice of Mary is particularly compelling. This Audible production is top drawer.
A journey in meaning.
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How do we define self awareness, why, for who?
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A model ensemble performamce
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