Review: Love and Other Human Errors by Bethany Clift
I have a special love for books that feature eccentric women and the fact that I was drawn to this book without knowing that the main character was exactly that feels like fate. I had such a good time with this unique, uplifting book and I can’t wait for more people to discover it.
Indiana Dylan has created Tru, a matchmaking program that guarantees users to find their soulmates. All the human errors that occur when searching for love have been eradicated and the software is an expert at matching people. So, imagine Indiana’s shock when JaneDoe, the company interested in buying the program, find Indiana’s soulmate via Tru and insist that she go on a series of dates with him to prove that it really works. There’s absolutely no way that Tru could be wrong, right?
Indiana lives a life of logic, rules and hard work. She has no time for things like family, friends or romance because she has dedicated her life to Tru and the science behind it. Everything is so precise and strategically thought out, so of course I had complete faith that she had created something remarkable that could revolutionise the way that people found love. I was always on Indiana’s side.
The book delves into Indiana’s childhood and past a little but I think I wanted more of this. She has clearly had a difficult time but I’m sure there are some interesting and maybe even some funny stories in those years. It was great to get some insight into how Indiana became so independent and focused on success but maybe there’s room for expansion in possible future Indiana Dylan books?
There is plenty of humour in the book and I think I snort-laughed several times. It seemed that the funny lines came out of nowhere and therefore had a bigger impact than they might have done, had I been expecting them. From witty one-liners to some hilarious conversations and situations, there’s plenty to laugh out loud to.
We are not quite in the world that we know. I think the book is set in 2030 and things have changed, particularly in the corporate world. I really enjoyed seeing London as a place that I undoubtedly recognised but also getting the chance to explore it as a new, thriving centre of tech innovation.
I think calling these new, swanky, free brothels ‘Meet Markets’ is what puts a bad taste in my mouth. I’m not opposed to places where people can freely meet up for sex without any shame or judgement but when I hear the term ‘Meet Market’, I just think of a butcher’s market stall. I really don’t want to think of human bodies in that way but I do also acknowledge that it’s a clever name for what it is. The concept of social media becoming a world for the elite is interesting too and I wonder if that is something in our future.
We get glimpses into what it’s like to be a woman in this world. Fran is a woman who works at JaneDoe and she has a miscarriage in the middle of the working day. However, she is afraid to leave work and seek medical and emotional assistance for it because of the impact it might have on how she is perceived at work. Lina Galaz, our other principal female character, insists that Fran leaves and says that she’ll cover for her in front of their no-nonsense boss Dr Cameron. I know that thoughts like Fran’s exist in our world and women feel guilty about having to leave work unexpectedly, even if the reason is a pretty serious one. I think this is a commentary on the extreme lengths that women go to in order to be successful and the complete lack of compassion that some businesses show for very human, emotional issues.
Eventually, Lina realises that she has given her life to her work and JaneDoe. She isn’t sure who she is outside of her career and I was hit with a wave of pity for her. I’ve been lucky enough to have a career that I’ve mostly enjoyed and that have had a good work-life balance. I can’t imagine being so absorbed in your work that you cease to have a full identity outside of it. Again, this feels like a call for reform and to ensure that businesses do all they can to help their employees become happy, well-rounded people rather than loyal, obedient machines.
When I realised that Indiana was in fact falling in love, I think I audibly cheered. I wanted nothing but the best for her and I really enjoyed the not so subtle hints that were dropped. It’s a very confusing conflict that wages inside her but I was just praying that she would realise that true love is something completely intangible and that you just have to give into it.
Love and Other Human Errors is a joyful rollercoaster of a book with some fascinating, wonderful characters. It explores topical themes that will spark your thoughts, make you angry and perhaps even challenge your pre-conceived ideas of society. Overall, it’s a thoroughly immersive story of truth, friendship and learning with a brilliant journey towards its hopeful ending.
