[Might edit this review later] I enjoyed this book, and Katie Williams is without a doubt a very talented writer. Her metaphors are rich; her storytelling takes (mostly) unexpected turns; and her dialogue, while not always realistic, pulls you in like a fine screenplay. The world-building is absorbing and fully realized (though not always adequately explained to the reader). A rewarding read if you choose to pay close attention and follow each narrative thread.

This book should be a Netflix mini-series as opposed to a novel. I think it would do Williams’ general premise, vibrant visuals, and compact storytelling more justice, and perhaps a set of talented actors could bring to life a cast of oftentimes flat characters. I think the main issue with the book is that it simultaneously feels too tightly packed (especially in terms of subtext/allegory) and like something — I’m not certain what — is missing. Maybe emotional pull? Maybe a satisfying ending?

Besides Rhett, I didn’t find any of the characters super likable. There is an attempt at multidimensionality but these attempts feel sloppy and dry at times. Rhett (for certain) had the best arc, and you can tell that Williams spent a lot of time fleshing him out. But Pearl? Elliot? Not as compelling. **Spoiler alert** A sad middle-aged woman sleeping with her sad/horny/quirky middle-aged ex-husband is a SUPER TIRED TROPE!! Besides the empowerment narrative, which I loved, I think it was hard for me to sympathize with Pearl because I don’t know what it’s like to be a mother/middle-aged woman yet, but idk, sometimes her life choices were a bit bizarre. Also, a few homophobic and racist jokes here and there left a bad taste in my mouth.

The whole book was interesting and enjoyable enough for me to get through (and chuckle and gasp a fair number of times), but it all felt a bit...superficial? Detached? Frivolous? Inconsequential? Which is ironic considering that the book is meant to be a serious allegory about our obsession with technology. Overall, TTMGN feels like a social commentary trying to be a poignant family drama. There are times when it succeeds, and times when it leaves you thinking, “...what was the point of that?!” One of those books that I should probably read again in ten years to see if I missed anything, or to see if I experience it differently the second time around.