Really enjoyable l.
Couldn't put it down from he start.
I liked the plot and the characters.
I would dread another books for the author too.

I love when a book reminds me of the television show Black Mirror. This book is gorgeously written. The subject of grief is so prevalent throughout. I think the use of AI shows how people might choose to handle their grief in the not so distant future with how the world is progressing now. Each character gets more interesting as the story progresses. The ending does not go how I thought it would, but that just made me enjoy it more. I can see this book being turned into a movie and/or have a sequel novel as a follow-up as to how it leaves off. With this being the first book written by the author, I cannot wait to see what he writes next.

Thanks to NetGalley, T.R. Thorsen, and Sunkat Press for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of The Germans Have a Word for It in the return of an honest review.

The story follows Davis, a recently and prematurely bereaved man who is offered a way to "communicate" with his late wife via a new AI-powered app offered by the funeral director. He is told that it will help him process his grief, but as Davis finds out, it's not quite that simple.

I enjoyed the storyline and how it explored the way we process grief in the modern world, where there are so many technological relics left behind when we die. Anyone who's felt the urge to tag a departed friend on social media, or text their old number, will understand the core hook. People leave behind chat streams, images, videos, audio. What happens if the services hosting those go away? Are people's devices extensions of themselves? Could an AI model ever replicate a personality, and if it could, how would we treat them? Will capitalistic "market forces" keep these post-death connections locked behind an ever-rising paywall?

There are a lot of practical and philosophical questions raised so I think if you enjoy pondering these types of topics, you'll find a lot to like here. The themes are heavy, of course, but I felt like they were handled sensitively and sympathetically. Characters feel reasonable even if they make some questionable decisions - we may not agree with them but at least we can see how they got to where they are and there are no clear "good" or "bad" actors.

Personally I'd have liked a little more exploration of the late plot, it felt like the pace picked up a lot towards the end. Definitely potential for a follow up I think.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys stuff like Black Mirror (obvious comparisons to be drawn with Be Right Back but it also reminded me of San Junipero) or the general theme of trans/posthumanism.

Many thanks to Sunkat Press and NetGalley for the eARC. I was not required to leave a review nor influenced in any way as to its contents.

Book Review: The Germans Have a Word for It by T.R. Thorsen

T.R. Thorsen’s The Germans Have a Word for It is a captivating exploration of grief, technology, and human connection. This novel pulls you into a near-future world where AI blurs the lines between reality and memory, questioning the ethical boundaries of our digital dependencies.

With a gripping plot that balances thought-provoking themes with moments of dark humor, Thorsen creates a story that feels hauntingly plausible. The writing is sharp, the pacing is impeccable, and the emotional weight lingers long after the last page. If you’re a fan of speculative fiction that’s both entertaining and unsettling, this one is a must-read.

I received an ARC copy for an honest review.

Davis is a widow offered a new way to communicate with his wife “Dead Rachel”. Davis is at the funeral home planning his wife’s funeral and thinks of something he needs to tell his wife…wait she’s dead. The German’s have a word for that, “Geisterstille”.
He’s given a trial type app that uses AI from all of Rachel’s previous texts/photos/videos.

The trial app will soon expire but Davis is determined to keep the communication going with “Dead Rachel”. He’s unemployed and cannot afford all the updates to the app; text, photo, video and a new phone to update the app requirements. He struggles with money but bot Rachel encourages him to continue to upgrade so that she can communicate with him. He and bot Rachel begin writing reviews for cashflow to keep the “Hey There” app.

He’s grieving but is able to make a life with his bot wife Rachel.

I did not enjoy the bickering, pressure, financial chaos of this book. It was strange.

#NetGalley #TheGermansHaveAWordForIt

I am loving reading books that feature AI at the moment as they really make me think and in all honesty terrify me slightly. I really enjoyed this one it engaged me right from the start and I couldn't put it down

This worked well with the AI elements and was engaged with what was happening. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and thought the feel of this worked with the genre. T. R. Thorsen has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

It was just okay to me! But, it was different, and I like different! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review!

After all, this situation—the most traumatic moment of Davis’s lifetime—was for the funeral director just another Tuesday afternoon.”

After his wife’s death, the funeral director recommends Davis an app where he can speak with her through the magic of AI. Rather than grieve for Rachel, David starts up a relationship with a fake version of her who becomes more and more real. I loved AI Rachel and she was the main force that kept me engaged as things got a little off the wall. A good read for those interested in the intersectionality of grief, connection, and our increasing dependence on technology.

Thank you Sunkat Press and NetGalley for the ARC!