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The Municipalists

By Seth Fried
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3.57 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 3,143 ratings, 492 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Municipalists by Seth Fried is a quirky and imaginative sci-fi novel that explores the life of Henry Thompson, a dedicated but socially awkward government worker focused on saving cities. He's joined by an unconventional AI partner named OWEN, who challenges his rigid worldview. Together, they embark on a mission that forces them to confront not only urban dilemmas but also their own human and artificial limitations, bringing unexpected challenges and humorous situations.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a quirky mix of wit, urban politics, and a dash of mystery. It weaves together a bureaucrat's journey through a futuristic city with an unexpected AI sidekick, making for a humorous and thought-provoking reflection on urban life and the nature of control. Sci-fi enthusiasts with an interest in city dynamics will likely find this an engaging and unique read.

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A novel about an unlikely pair of lonely outsiders - one human, one AI - on an adventure to save the great American city of Metropolis.

A novel about an unlikely pair of lonely outsiders-one human, one AI-on an adventure to save the great American city of Metropolis written by "one of the most exciting new voices in fiction" (Charles Yu) .

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Municipalists is a novel about an unlikely pair of lonely outsiders—one human, one AI—on an adventure to save the great American city of Metropolis, written by "one of the most exciting new voices in fiction" (Charles Yu).

Named one of the best books of the month by Library Journal ("Debut of the Month"), The Verge, io9, Amazon Books, Book of the Month Club, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, NYLON, and Tor.com.

In Metropolis, the gleaming city of tomorrow, the dream of the great American city has been achieved. But all that is about to change, unless a neurotic, rule-following bureaucrat and an irreverent, freewheeling artificial intelligence can save the city from a mysterious terrorist plot that threatens its very existence.

Henry Thompson has dedicated his life to improving America's infrastructure as a proud employee of the United States Municipal Survey. So when the agency comes under attack, he dutifully accepts his unexpected mission to visit Metropolis looking for answers. But his plans to investigate quietly, quickly, and carefully are interrupted by his new partner—a day-drinking know-it-all named OWEN, who also turns out to be the projected embodiment of the agency's supercomputer.

Soon, Henry and OWEN are fighting to save not only their own lives and those of the city's millions of inhabitants, but also the soul of Metropolis. The Municipalists is a thrilling, funny, and touching adventure story, a tour-de-force of imagination that trenchantly explores our relationships to the cities around us and the technologies guiding us into the future.

"A new and irreverent take on both real-world politics and sci-fi history." - The Wall Street Journal

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Seth Fried's The Municipalists has been praised for its imaginative and witty writing, described as a novel for everyone, even those who haven't experienced city life. It's recognised for its humour and unique take on futuristic themes, offering a fresh and entertaining escape from more dystopian narratives. The novel is noted for its blend of comedy and serious exploration of issues like class and trauma, as well as its critique of predatory capitalism and reliance on technology. Fried's debut is hailed as deeply funny, poignant, and showcases his talent and creativity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780143133735

Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 19 March 2019

Country: United States

Imprint: Penguin USA

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 272

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Penguin Books Sci-Fi & Fantasy Science Fiction Seth Fried

About the Author

Seth Fried is the author of the acclaimed short story collection The Great Frustration. He is a recurring contributor to The New Yorker's "Shouts and Murmurs" and NPR's "Selected Shorts," and his stories have appeared in Tin House, One Story, McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, The Kenyon Review, Vice, and elsewhere. He is also the winner of two Pushcart Prizes and the William Peden Prize.

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