Review of What Do You Think, Mr. Collins?

[Hasani Piyumika Perera]

"Exploring a parallel world with familiar issues, 'What Do You Think, Mr. Collins?' offers a fresh perspective on our own society's challenges. Androids, media, and the human condition are intertwined.

[MercyNdungu]

[Following is a volunteer review of "What Do You Think, Mr. Collins?" by Neal Bialostosky.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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“I'm afraid the American dream, sir, was really... only a dream.”- Alfred.
Indeed, this is a feeling I had while reading “What Do You Think, Mr. Collins?”. The world described there is in a parallel universe, but still so related to ours. And that’s why it feels like a dream you want to share with someone. Corrupt social media, the Asian mafia, androids, even a terrorist attack - it seems like the city of Paradise has the same problems as we do nowadays. The problems a lot of us don’t pay much attention to in our lives, as well as the citizens of the city of Paradise. All of them are living their lives which we can watch.


A sophisticated reader might say, “The idea isn’t new”. And he is right. But why is it still that exciting?
As I said, the story is shown through the prism of our time. We can relate to the woes they have. I also love the moment Evelyn was upset by losing her android nanny. Usually, we used to fear them as mechanical things we did not understand, but we didn’t think we might get attached to them as to living things. Android Nan was even more attentive and tender to the living girl than her own mother. The living people are more apathetic, it's easier for them to hide behind “the mask”. Another example that proves this is Alfred, an AI and the only one who is concerned about what is going on. Did his concern save people?
The answer is not that obvious.

It’s pretty rare when the idea and the realization are both wonderful. Neal Bialostovsky has picked an interesting idea, developed it into a fascinating story, added some satire and finished it as a tragedy. The approach Neal Bialostovsky chose I might describe as experimental, but still successful.
In conclusion, I rate this book 5 out of 5. The editor’s work is excellent, which shows us a professional approach to this book.

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What Do You Think, Mr. Collins?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

“I'm afraid the American dream, sir, was really... only a dream.”- Alfred.
Indeed, this is a feeling I had while reading “What Do You Think, Mr. Collins?”. The world described there is in a parallel universe, but still so related to ours. And that’s why it feels like a dream you want to share with someone. Corrupt social media, the Asian mafia, androids, even a terrorist attack - it seems like the city of Paradise has the same problems as we do nowadays. The problems a lot of us don’t pay much attention to in our lives, as well as the citizens of the city of Paradise. All of them are living their lives which we can watch.


A sophisticated reader might say, “The idea isn’t new”. And he is right. But why is it still that exciting?
As I said, the story is shown through the prism of our time. We can relate to the woes they have. I also love the moment Evelyn was upset by losing her android nanny. Usually, we used to fear them as mechanical things we did not understand, but we didn’t think we might get attached to them as to living things. Android Nan was even more attentive and tender to the living girl than her own mother. The living people are more apathetic, it's easier for them to hide behind “the mask”. Another example that proves this is Alfred, an AI and the only one who is concerned about what is going on. Did his concern save people?
The answer is not that obvious.

It’s pretty rare when the idea and the realization are both wonderful. Neal Bialostovsky has picked an interesting idea, developed it into a fascinating story, added some satire and finished it as a tragedy. The approach Neal Bialostovsky chose I might describe as experimental, but still successful.
In conclusion, I rate this book 5 out of 5. The editor’s work is excellent, which shows us a professional approach to this book.

[SRINATH7]

Certainly!

"The review brilliantly captures the essence of "What Do You Think, Mr. Collins?" by Neal Bialostosky. The nuances of human connection amidst a technology-dominated backdrop were indeed riveting. The story's exploration of the emotional ties between humans and AI is a refreshing and thought-provoking perspective. Highly recommend to anyone seeking a contemporary take on human-machine relationships."

[Ams Strong]

I feel confused about what to think of this review. Your writing was slightly cryptic, and I don't know if this was intentional.

[Salome Ndichu 1]

I like your review, and the novel is quite interesting, I like novels that bring out AI as personalities instead of objects. The part I'll go check out on my own is the tragedy in the end of the novel, it piques the suspense of the novel.

[Timothy Rucinski]

I'm a little tired of the whole parallel universe thing. But something about this book seems quite appealing and I may have to check it out. And I loved the title!

[DAS KALUVALA]

The book "What do you think, Mr. Collin" is good about the real life conversations and issues. Author took practical issues to be penned. The reviewer briefly given the story of it to understand the skelton of the book.

[Abdul Ser]

My first comment will be about the "sophisticated reader might say, The idea isn’t new" sentence. I might say, almost anything and everything is already told and it is very difficult to find a new idea, an idea never used before. This argument is valid for any Hollywood movie scenario, for any TV advertisement concept, etc. I guess this is why all the parties involved in this sector are trying to convert old movie scenarios to today's lifestyle, or book stories. Let's say when we watch a brand new movie about the time travel paradox, we find some details used in the old movies or books. I accept this situation as "normal" because almost anything and everything is already consumed. Anyway, time flies and technology develops day by day, and the world changes. This change brings the opportunity of fresh new ideas. Not much but some. Artificial intelligence subjects can be considered quite new (if we put aside some old-time prominent science fiction writers such as Isaac Asimov) and during the last 2 years, it happened a big explosion of AI apps. So, the subject can be considered at least “interesting”. Besides all this, the book seems promising for modern technology and sci-fi fun.

[Upphilan Paul]

Neal Bialostovsky has inscribed his thought in an exceptional way. Let's just take a look at it, the world we are living in is filled with problems. The paradise does not look like it anymore. Whose dream will bring back the real paradise to her people, in government, family and many other areas that people keeps hoping for?

Martin Luther King Jr. said it, "I have a dream, I have a vision!" In this world, those people with good intentions are always stabed in the back which is totally a betraying act. What do I think? I also think we also need a betrayer

[Seetha E]

A parallel universe dealing with the same problems as us. AI Alfred's role is intriguing. Thanks for your review. Congrats to the author on winning BOTD!

[Tars]

I really find it strange that someone could think that the parallel universe would be vastly different than ours. Granted, circumstances might differ, but people are still humans no matter whatever world they live in, so yes, in my opinion, "Corrupt social media, the Asian mafia, androids, even a terrorist attack" same sins, same consequences, but the story sounds interesting. Congrats on BOTD!

[Rizwana Nasrin]

I think this is one of the best contents ever read talking about parallel universe.. Of course androids decrease the chance of communicating with people in presence.

[Runan]

Asian mafia, terrorist attacks, corrupt social media in the parallel universe as well? I am intrigued to find out if the parallel world is different in any way to our real world. If it isn’t different in any way, I am curious behind the reasoning for creating a parallel world in this story. And I would only know that if I read the story. I can definitely relate to a child crying when the phone is taken away. The drama is what drives the readers to turn the pages. Since you have mentioned that it has quite the same emotions as our real world. I would get my tissues ready before reading it. Thanks for the review.

[Waheed Sarwar]

It's unique and exciting, when an author choose how to describe the harsh reality of the world.

[Cristina Corui Mihailescu]

Wonderful review! You made me want to read this great achievemnt of this author. Though sci- fi is not my cup of tea, you convinced me to give it a try