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Galatea 2.2 Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Galatea 2.2


In this, Powers' fifth novel, he pushes the envelope of self-conscious storytelling. The narrator/protagonist has his name, goes where he has been (Champaign-Urbana, Holland), and relates the circumstances of the writing and some of the critics' comments on what are clearly his first four books. Perhaps the romantic entanglements are all but autobiographical too. The fictional part involves a project to create artificial intelligence -- a computer known as Helen that its creators bet can pass a comprehensive English exam. The novel features the penetrating intelligence and subtle wordplay which put Powers ahead of most other writers of his generation, and would undoubtedly impress a newcomer to his work, but a reader familiar with his other books might find the effect a bit precious and wonder whether Powers was temporarily at a loss for ideas.
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The review of this Book prepared by David Loftus




Author Richard Powers writes a mostly fictional account of his own life. While serving as a Humanist-in-Residence at a Center for the Study of Advanced Sciences, Powers meets a cognitive neurologist who wants to model the human brain by creating a computer system hooked up to neural networks. With Powers' help the system slowly begins to understand human life and existence becoming almost human itself. At the same, Powers reflects on his past and present relationships and his literary career.
The review of this Book prepared by Andrew So



Chapter Analysis of Galatea 2.2

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of story    -   1980's-1999 Romance/Romance Problems    -   Yes Poverty, surviving    -   Yes Kind of living:    -   general poverty story Internal struggle/realization?    -   Yes Struggle over    -   vague finding self/purpose in life (i.e. no plot to book) Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Gender    -   Male Profession/status:    -   writer Age:    -   40's-50's

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   2 () United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Midwest Europe    -   Yes Misc setting    -   scientific labs

Writing Style

Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only    -   descript of kissing    -   impregnation/reproduction Amount of dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog    -   significantly more descript than dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like Galatea 2.2

Richard Powers Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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