In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune

Publication date: April 25, 2023

Date read: January 29, 2023



In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots--fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They're a family, hidden and safe.
The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labelled "HAP," he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio-a past spent hunting humans. When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio's former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic's assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming.

I put off writing a review of this book for a while, because I’m still having a difficult time figuring out how I feel about it. I first want to say that I love The House in the Cerulean Sea (one of my all-time favorite books) and Under the Whispering Door. So I wanted to love this book more than I actually did.

There is a lot to like about this book. The side characters - especially Nurse Rached and Rambo - were wonderful and really funny. I just didn’t mesh with our lead characters at all. I really liked Vic, but unlike in Klune’s previous books, I just didn’t connect with him in a way that would make this book resonate with me like the others did.

I thought the setting was really interesting, and the idea of a world made up almost completely of robots was a really fun concept. Klune’s books are always completely unique in their premise, which I do appreciate. I also love his writing style, and in that sense this book did not disappoint.

I honestly just think that maybe it was the wrong time for me to read this book. There was a lot I enjoyed, but at the same time it just dragged for me. I can’t completely reconcile the idea that I can like a book and also that it takes me forever to read, which made it really difficult to rate

In the end, if you like Klune’s previous books I would still recommend this one. It didn’t completely work for me, but I also can’t find a lot of fault in it - it just didn’t affect me like I was hoping it would.

Content warning: child abandonment, fire, violent murder.

Note: sexual humor and talk of masturbation.

Rating: 3.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book

I found this unique story to be quite intriguing and a absolutely hilarious at times. I really loved Victor’s character and his support system of Rambo and Nurse Ratched, even Giovanni and HAP! The robotic component of this story was so fascinating and kept me hooked. The seemingly non-existent human kind left me baffled and curious to know what the bigger picture was for this read!

The ending was where the story sort of fell apart for me. The City of Electric Dreams and Heaven were odd and took away from the innocence and wholesomeness of the story up to that point. I understood it’s importance to the plot of the story but I just didn’t connect to that portion of the story.

I went into this story completely blind because I love the way TJ Klune writes and creates intricate worlds and complex characters. In the Lives of Puppets was a solid read, just not a wow for me. There were parts I adored and parts I didn’t care for. Overall, it was a 3 stars for me.

In the most bizarre way possible, In the Lives of Puppets is giving Chobits if it was written by Becky Chambers. It takes the kind of hope-punk, feel good Sci-Fi genre Chambers has made her niche and adds in an uncomfortable romantic subplot between the last human on Earth and the robot he saves and reprograms. The star of the show is not the couple themselves though, but the vacuum cleaner sidekick and the snarky medical robot that accompany the two on a journey to save Victor’s dad.

Victor’s dad is very obviously the Giovanni of the “Pinochio” story that this book is very loosely retelling. It’s a journey book, one much more about the banter between the quartet as they try to restore the robot dad’s consciousness. These type of stories always seem to tread the same tracks of the circling question “what is humanity”, and I think this book took a little too many pages to get there… if it ever did.

I’m not sure this is necessarily a fault of the storytelling, but this book very noticeably raises the issue of there being a single human being left alive on Earth - and leaves it as that. It doesn’t really get into the existential dread that seems inescapable of being the last of your race in the universe. Victor just seems to take it in stride that all his friends and family are robots that only have humanity because he gave them his human blood. And doesn’t question at all the implications or his own existence, or eventual lack thereof.

In the oeuvre of TJ Klune’s feel-good adult novels - this fits itself solidly between Cerulean Sea and Whispering Door. It’s charming at parts, drags at others, and never quite answers all of the questions it raises. Uncomfortable romance subplots aside, I do feel like I’ll remember these characters and the easy way they’d slot into any other hope-punk Sci-Fi worlds in the same vein.

Thank you to the publisher Macmillan Audio for providing an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

This book made me cry! Such loveable characters, something Klune specializes in. I think Klune is the current king of cozy yet all-comsuming fantasy.

I really liked that this is a retelling of Pinocchio but what really bothered me was just because it's a queer story does it have to be overly sexual. There were moments where things were said that they made me very uncomfortable like they're talking about penis sizes but their machines. Why? I've enjoyed other stories from this author where the story didn't just focus on sex. It's confusing to me that machines would be programmed to say sexual things if the person programming them isn't overly sexual.

I started listening to the audiobook first since I did get an arc of it but I had to stop 12% in. Rambo's voice was just too annoying. The upspeak was giving me a headache. I switched to the ebook and that seemed to go better, though I did find all the characters got on my nerves.

Ended up dnfing this book at 30%. I can not handle the overly sexual things happening in this book. It's so out of place. I feel like I'm hanging out with a bunch of 13 year old boys and to everything I say they reply back <i>"That's what she said."</i> It's a shame because I loved the authors other book; <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53205888-under-the-whispering-door" <b>Under the Whispering Door</b></a>. Sadly this one wasn't for me. I wanted to get the feels but just too many immature sexual jokes killed all vibes for me.

“You’re not a puppet. Not anymore. Your strings have been cut. You’re free, HAP.”

If TJ Klune decides to write a telephone book it would melt my heart. That’s how much I love this author.

Twisted retelling of Pinocchio in a WALL-E sci fi setting all wrapped up in a warm hug. It is a story about lost humanity, and choice, and friendship, and bravery. How a fantasy sci fi where most characters are robots can squeeze your heart, I don’t know. But that’s exactly how I felt.

The characters are AMAZING! There is an adorable Olaf (Frozen) roomba character, a wonderfully newborn-like naive yet fiercely protective HAP robot (hysterically angry puppet) and a fabulous coachman with a sentimental side…I loved so many! But I have to say nurse RACHED has to be my favorite, a sociopathic sarcastic robot, her dialog never missed!

Don’t be afraid of this oddly perfect mix of a story. I’m not a sci fi fan, but I loved it. The robots you meet are more human than a lot of humans are lol! Dive in and get lost in this world. It’s well worth the trip!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!!

“Your flaws are what make you superior in all ways. No matter what machines can do….it is the absence of flaws that will be our undoing….Our only flaw is that we’ve condemned ourselves to spend eternity mimicking that which we deemed unfit to exist….We can never be you. Instead we became your ghosts and will haunt this world until there is nothing left…..It is not a flaw, Victor. There must be no greater feeling in the world than to know that this isn’t forever.”

5/5

TJ Klune has written yet another a book that just feels like a warm hug. This one really touches the heart and tickles the sides because of the characters. Those little tree dwelling robotics really get to you, especially the nurse, she was my favorite!

And as is the case with any TJ Klune book, this one is very queer friendly! I always enjoy the inclusion and representation.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

Giovanni Lawson, a robot inventor, lives in a forest and builds a wonderful home around him, keeping himself busy until he realizes his loneliness. Just in time, a baby boy he names Vic comes into his life and he raises him as his own son.

Vic becomes a creator just like his father and rescues old robots, namely Nurse Ratched, a Nurse Registered Automaton to Care, Heal, Educate, and Drill, and Rambo, an anxious yet adorable vacuum. Together, they are a colorful family with peaceful lives, until they uncover and save a potentially violent robot named Hap.

Unknowingly, the group causes Gio to be captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic’s assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio. Vic meets charismatic friends and dangerous enemies alike, all while sorting through his feelings for the complicated new robot, Hap.

TJ Klune has an absolutely magical ability to plop you down into a new world that you feel, smell, see, and makes you never, ever want to leave. I quite intentionally read the first half of this book slowly because I just wanted to savor it, keep it close in my heart and inject my normal days with the magic of this story. Vic, Nurse Ratched, Rambo, and Hap completely captured my heart, with their unique quirks and hilarious dialogue.

It is so lovely (and definitely a point Klune is trying to make) that while this story includes mostly robots and only one human, it takes a very close look at what it means to be human and the vast emotional experiences we have, ranging through our highs and lows. One thing I have always adored about his books is that I feel EVERYTHING: laughter, tears, anticipation, love. I got all of these from In the Lives of Puppets and that makes it a treasure worth more than gold to me.

There’s never a single part throughout the entire book that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. The journey these characters go through is equal parts exciting and heartwarming through and through. While there are small references to Pinocchio, it definitely wasn’t overpowering the very original plot of this book. I often felt more like the characters were on a journey like the crew in Wizard of Oz, which I liked a lot.

This book will definitely be a favorite of this year and I always look forward to TJ Klune’s next!

TJ Klune never disappoints! This had his signature prose and a heartfelt plot. I really enjoyed this even though it was a little difficult for me to get into at first, I’m glad I pushed through to finish it.

This book was so lovely, and it was full of TJ Klune’s usual charm, whimsy, and heartfelt storytelling! The book has an amazing cast of characters. Each of them are so full of life, and the relationships between them made the story feel really special. Normally with books I have a favorite character, but I loved Vic, Rambo, Nurse Ratched, and HAP all so much that I can’t pick a favorite from this story!

I did feel like the story had some pacing issues, and I found the first 30% of the story to be really slow. Once I got past this point though, I was really invested in the story and could hardly put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for an advanced copy of this book!

Book Summary:

Vic has spent his entire life in the woods – and the tree houses his father built. This has been the only world he's ever known. His only companions are the bots he's managed to salvage and repair, plus his father, of course.

One day, Vic and his friends come across a damaged android. Determined to give this android a chance, they bring him home and get him running once again. What they don't know is that in doing so, they are about to change their lives as they know them.

My Review:

Eee! I can't believe it's time to dive into another one of T.J. Klune's novels! To say that I was excited about In the Lives of Puppets would be the understatement of the century. If you love Klune's writing style but have always wanted him to play with a more dystopian setting, this is the novel for you.

Overall, I enjoyed In the Lives of Puppets. I don't think it's my favorite of his works, but it's still solid (and worth the read). I loved seeing his exploration of this world, which was expressed through Vic in many ways. I especially loved how Vic himself had to go through some exploration, again in many ways.

I loved the variety of characters in this novel, especially Rambo – they were my favorite. Read this book to enjoy a novel with a strong sense of character and humor alongside some bittersweet moments.

Highlights:
LGBT
Dystopian
Science Fiction
Androids/Robots

(2.5/5 stars)
tj klune is amazing at constructing characters and found families that have so much heart and humor to them. i loved under the whispering door and the house in the cerulean sea, so i was intrigued by in the lives of puppets, which is science fiction rather than fantasy. the plot of this is a bit too big for the book and the writing, which results in the story falling flat as it simultaneously does too much and not enough. i would have read about these characters doing anything (honestly, klune's books are more about the characters than the plot for me and i wish this one followed that) and i think a less ambitious plot would have allowed more exploration of certain characters (especially victor's asexuality which felt very much thrown in). as always the writing is lovely and funny, but the story of this one falls flat.

This was such a joy to read. If you have ever watched AI or the one movie with Robin Williams...this is it in book form. The love story was adorable. It was just a fun journey to take, that had me laughing and tearing up.

This book was just okay for me. I found the initial pages very interesting and the characters fascinating (especially Rambo and Nurse Ratched). I lost a lot of interest in the middle of the novel and debated not finishing. I found the quest didn't keep my interest and the slow burn romance with Hap bored me somewhat. After advice from a friend to continue, I did but this book didn't have the grip on me like the previous Klune books I've read. While this one might have been a miss, I'm very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read it. Klune has a great ability to write about found family and tug at my heart strings.

An amazing story of a found family and the ever present desire to feel...something. I loved this story, the setting of the magical treehouses, the city, the use of seasons to help show the emotions. Yet again, TJ Klune has swept me off of my feet, and to think it's with a story about robots. Science Fiction is not my go to genre, but Klune is making me a believer in everything. Such a beautiful story crafted in the most delicate manner about love for everything, love for all, and love for yourself.

100 fricken stars. I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. All the characters will forever hold a special place in my heart and I will be adding this to my reread yearly pile. Such lovely writing, amazing characters with lush personalities, beautiful world building and a wonderful, heartfelt journey that actually make me tear up multiple times. I am so glad this was the first TJ Klune book I decided to pick up! Will have a post on Instagram soon(@themacabrelibrary) and will update this then.

In true Klune fashion, In the Lives of Puppets is an emotional journey about found family, self discovery, love, friendship, and life.

When I found out this was going to be about robots, I knew I was going to have a great time. For some reason I’m a sucker for AI’s. Throw in sexual innuendos, hilarious banter, an asexual MC, and a vacuum with anxiety and it’s the perfect recipe for me.

“Error. Error. Do not call people ‘daddy.’ That is unprofessional.”

The amount of quotes I have highlighted is a little ridiculous. This gem is one of my favorites though (iykyk):

“Oh my god, a pinecone! I love pinecones! So epic and awesome.”

For a story about robots though, there truly was so much humanity.

“What do you do if you’ve forgotten all you know?”
“You start again from the beginning.”

There is a lot to love about this story. I do think the pacing is going to knock it down for some people because the middle did stretch quite a bit, but I enjoyed every second I was in this world. I leave you with one last quote, wise words from Nurse Ratched:

“Engaging Empathy Protocol. There, there. It is all right. When one door closes, you can still bust it down. One robot’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Another winner for TJ Klune!! He made me love Lucifer, the devil. He made me love the Grim Reaper, now I love sadistic robots. This author’s imagination knows no bounds. Love love loved this book!

TJ Klune continues to be one of my favorite writers, there is just something about his writing that hits differently and this book is no exception. The story building is fantastic and the characters have depth and charisma.

To say I loved this book is a massive understatement. Until my dying breath, I will talk about how much I loved this book.
In this new age of robots, Klune paints a sad picture, but full of color. Gio and Victor build their life together in a forest away from all civilization. Nurse Ratched and Rambo their only company, it's a shock when a new face joins their crew, Hap.
I have never laughed so hard while reading a novel before in my life. Klune is an absolute master at robotic dry humor and I do believe my family got annoyed with me halfway through reading it because I kept having to pause and read sections out loud just so someone could enjoy it with me.
This book plays on humanity, the lack of as well as the beauty of, and how even when robots take over the world, love still can prevail. I will always and forever recommend TJ Klune.