Machine man
by Max Barry · first published 2011
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Fast, fun read about an engineer who loses a leg and builds better replacements, with a hacker's take on upgrading his own body; suits readers who want a quick, gripping novel with a dark edge.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
"Scientist Charles Neumann loses a leg in an industrial accident. It's not a tragedy. It's an opportunity. Charlie always thought his body could be better. He begins to explore a few ideas. To build parts. Better parts. Prosthetist Lola Shanks loves a good artificial limb. In Charlie, she sees a man on his way to becoming artificial everything. But others see a madman. Or a product. Or a weapon. A story for the age of pervasive technology, Machine Man is a gruesomely funny unraveling of one man's quest for ultimate self-improvement."--Publisher's description
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…three: Mockingbird, by Walter Tevis; Riddley Walker, by Russell Hoban; Glimpses of the Moon, by Edith Wharton Some other favorites: The Dog Stars, by Peter Heller; To Reign In Hell, by Steven Brust; Machine Man, by Max Barry; The Dawn Patrol, by Don Winslow; The Woman, by Hank Ketchum
on “Ask HN: What is the best fiction book you've ever read? ” ↗Finishing up Machine Man by Max Barry - it's a fun book, and a quick read about a hacker who hacks on and upgrades his body parts (http://www.amazon.com/Machine-Man-Vintage-Contemporaries-Ori...).
on “Ask HN: Best non-technical book you've read lately? ” ↗I dunno, try reading Machine Man by Max Barry. The protagonist would only partially agree.
on “First-ever human head transplant is now possible, says neuroscientist” ↗There was a pretty great book by Max Barry (Jennifer Government, Syrup, Company) called Machine Man[1] that was about this; the main character was an engineer who lost his leg, and decided to build a better one. The whole thing is worth reading for the first chapter alone. [1]http://maxbarry.com/machineman/
on “First Bionic Leg to Harness Nerves Allows Mind Control Movement” ↗Read Machine Man this year: very effective, really chilling.
on “Ask HN: What is the best fiction book you've ever read? ” ↗Reminds me so much of Machine Man by Max Barry. "Charles Neumann is a mechanical engineer working at Better Future, a military research company. After losing one of his legs in a hydraulic clamp, he begins to tinker with leg prosthetics.…
on “Not a Wheelchair [video]” ↗