The Distractions - by Liza Monroy (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Solitary tech worker Mischa Osborn is mourning the shelving of her passion project--an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of love--when a chance encounter with a social media celebrity leads her spiraling into an all-consuming obsession. Simultaneously, someone--or something--is watching.

Mischa Osborn spends her days as a ProWatcher--keeping distracted people on task and lonely ones accompanied--from her Brooklyn Megabuilding, while eating PetriMeat Steax and working out with her favorite personal trainer, a straight-talking algorithm named Tory.

Her carefully constructed, isolated existence is suddenly upended by a chance realspace encounter with a HighlightReel celebrity, Nicolás Adán Luchano. On their first date, hiking in Kuulsuits and watching DroneBeez pollinate flowers, Mischa experiences a brief but intense realspace connection.

Mischa takes to relentlessly watching Nic onReel. As Mischa's ReelWatching spirals into an all-consuming obsession, and even realspace stalking, Mischa takes increasingly desperate measures to be seen and valued, sucking others into her vortex of obsession until she completely loses control.

Meanwhile, someone is equally obsessed with Mischa, tracking her every move and perhaps even influencing her choices.

A tale of how technology enables obsession, envy, and unrelenting comparison, told through an eccentric cast of interconnected characters, The Distractions invites us to reflect on who we are watching, and why.

Review Quotes

"It's the rare novel that has made me see the world differently."--Elizabeth McKenzie, National Book Award longlisted author of The Portable Veblen and forthcoming The Dog of the North

"Liza Monroy is a masterful storyteller--witty, urbane, tender, and hilarious."--Dan White, Author of Under the Stars and The Cactus Eaters

"Liza Monroy's novel, The Distractions, takes us into a not-too-distant future in which social media isn't just accessible--it's so pervasive that it's the driving force of human existence. Personalized aerial bots the size of bumble bees broadcast our every move. The lines between human and humanoid companionship have become blurred, and the measure of a person's entire life is represented by a pie chart. What's left in a world in which food is 3D-printed and people can choose between a biological "springoff" and an AI robot Babie(R)? It's the authentic human emotion of craving connection with other living beings. Satirical enough to make you laugh and tender enough to make your heart ache, The Distractions is imaginative, frighteningly realistic, and thoroughly compelling."--Maria Vetrano, Author, Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America

"Philip K. Dick meets Bridget Jones' Diary."--Kristin Wilson, author of Others Milk

"Smart, unexpected, engrossing, and thought-provoking. I'm honestly in awe."--Karen Joy Fowler, author of Booth, Pen Faulkner award-winner and Man Booker Prize finalist for We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

About the Author

Liza Monroy lives in Santa Cruz, CA. The Distractions is her fourth book.