Galatea 2.2 by Richard Powers tells the story of an academic named Richard Powers who collaborates with cognitive neuroscientist Philip Lentz to create an AI named Helen, capable of analyzing literary texts like a human. The novel parallels the Pygmalion myth, intertwining Powers's journey of self-discovery and healing from a painful breakup with his professional endeavor to teach the machine.

Readers who relish Galatea 2.2 by Richard Powers appreciate introspective narratives that merge technology and literature. Fans of Isaac Asimov's The Robots of Dawn and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go will find its exploration of artificial intelligence and human consciousness compelling.

Richard Powers' Galatea 2.2 captivates with its exploration of artificial intelligence and human consciousness. Praised for its intellectual depth and innovative narrative, the novel's complex themes may challenge some readers. The blend of literature and technology fascinates, though the dense prose might feel overwhelming to a few.

Contemplative / Challenging / Mysterious / Emotional / Bittersweet

- Galatea 2.2 is a semi-autobiographical novel, making it an intriguing blend of fact and fiction, with the author Richard Powers inserting a fictional version of himself as the protagonist.
- Richard Powers wrote this novel during a stint as a visiting scholar at the University of Illinois, where he was inspired by the intersection of literature and technology.
- The book was a finalist for the 1995 National Book Critics Circle Award, reflecting its acclaim within the literary community.

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