The Price of Perfection
by Michael G. Barash
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Pub Date Jan 20 2026 | Archive Date Jan 10 2026
Michael G. Barash | Ontology Tales
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Description
What is the price for the perfect life, a perfect world?
In a time where virtual reality simulations can surpass anything money can buy in the real world, this is not just a philosophical musing. For Erika Verne and her daughter, Veronica, this is the defining question of their lives.
In a stratified society that leaves the underclass to survive in a world of smog, Erika makes the ultimate desperate gamble. Putting her daughter's life in the hands of a fabled corporation, its enigmatic founder, and his utopic virtual-reality simulation, she made the only decision she thought made sense—the only way to give her daughter the perfect life.
But what is the price of perfection? Is it just maternal sacrifice or is there more to it than Erika ever imagined? Can love still bridge not just class boundaries but existential ones as well? Is the human soul equipped for the sublime? In their saga, Erika and Veronica will not only confront life’s big questions, but what happens when mother and daughter can’t agree on the answers.
Expect an unsettling character-driven psychological thriller and philosophical sci-fi epic that, despite its grandest, headiest, and dizziest explorations of the human condition, never strays from its heart—the perfectly imperfect love of a mother-daughter relationship.
Along the way, you'll meet broken people trying their best to heal, worlds that have long stopped trying, and a young woman who will inspire, frustrate, and terrify in equal measure.
Perfect for fans of Philip K. Dick, Ursula K. Le Guin, or Ted Chiang who are looking for a Black Mirror-esque literary science fiction story with cyberpunk grit, psychological suspense, and profound family drama all while grappling with the deepest questions of what it means to be human in a world where humanity itself is up for debate.
Advance Praise
"The writing is clear, direct, and full of feeling. The title fits perfectly because the whole book circles around the cost of chasing a flawless life. This book is for readers who enjoy sci-fi built on character growth, virtual spaces, moral questions, and emotional weight. It earns five stars for rich settings, clear emotion, and an ending that stays with the reader after the last page." - Manik Chaturmutha (Readers' Favorite)
"This is a novel that is absolutely worth the time commitment." - Jamie Michele (Readers' Favorite)
"The Price of Perfection by Michael G Barash offers a bracing mix of keen character attention and gradual onward movement that kept me invested in Erika and Veronica as their choices crash against dangerous forces and equally pressing questions. [...] Barash blends hazardous face-offs, measured reasoning, and small moments of connection into a story that comes across as smart and closely considered, making the book a rewarding read overall." - Asher Syed (Readers' Favorite)
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9393611200596 |
| PRICE | $4.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 1014 |