---
product_id: 78482771
title: "Tell the Machine Goodnight: A Novel Hardcover – June 19, 2018"
brand: "katie williams"
price: "$42"
currency: NZD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/78482771-tell-the-machine-goodnight-a-novel-hardcover-june-19-2018
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# Tell the Machine Goodnight: A Novel Hardcover – June 19, 2018

**Brand:** katie williams
**Price:** $42
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Tell the Machine Goodnight: A Novel Hardcover – June 19, 2018 by katie williams
- **How much does it cost?** $42 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/78482771-tell-the-machine-goodnight-a-novel-hardcover-june-19-2018)

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- katie williams enthusiasts

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## Description

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## Images

![Tell the Machine Goodnight: A Novel Hardcover – June 19, 2018 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/IMAGERENDERING_521856-T2/images/I/51A50lBmTOL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    good story
  

*by J***A on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 15, 2022*

The futuristic setting and usage of technology that does not yet exist are typical characteristics of science fiction. The Apricity machine, named after an ancient word that means "the feeling of sun on one's skin in the winter," is the major piece of technology that is introduced . The Apricity machine's task is to analyze a person's DNA and produce a detailed list of things that will make that person happier. Other developments, such as a house management system (HMS) that monitors information like the time and location of lights turning on and off or the arrivals and departures of people, are useful rather than fantasy, although this world is yet two decades away. The Apricity machine's main visual purpose is to enable readers to imaginatively explore areas of our reality that would otherwise be off-limits, including the genetic knowledge of emotions. The Apricity device can read our genetic make-up and provide a customized happiness program. The computer considerably reduces a human's time spent looking for happiness, and the author is aware that every person has a different path to finding it. The goods for our happiness may ask a customer to confront a hidden self or a shadow side because Apricity reads our genetic information. But this self-examination of whether or not to heed Apricity's counsel is left beyond the domain of the machine.It is not surprising that the novel includes devotion to Apricity's happy lists combined with a brand-new topical medication called Zom which means short for Zombie, which renders users susceptible to suggestions from others. The Apricity machine and Zom are both capable of suspending reason.If you appreciate reading well-written, unique science fiction, I would suggest the book, but if you're seeking for anything new to read with an engaging story, I wouldn't. As I read the first few chapters, I was sucked in right away by the characters and the idea of the Apricity machine. The novel was made even more interesting to read by Pearl's profession and Rhett's relatability, and the author's writing style and diction were distinctive and engrossing. For instance, the author explores etymologies in one chapter and incorporates a character's journal entries in another. But as the narrative went on, I saw that I was getting a little lost in all of the many stories.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Complex plot with eerily similar themes in today's world.
  

*by C***H on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 13, 2022*

In "Tell the Machine Goodnight", I believe this book is great for science fiction lovers and a gentle read. This story mainly follows a woman named Pearl, who is a handler of machines that guides people to their happiness. As we follow Pearl and her interactions with the individuals in her life, we see where she has flaws and misconceptions in her life that cause her discomfort. While reading, Williams introduced new characters that are involved in Pearl's life, like her ex-husband and his new lover, Pearl's son, coworkers, and her clients. Each character has a new level of development and complexity centered around the machine. To create complexity, we first meet these characters as blank slates; however, as the tale progresses, we are exposed to their vulnerable spots as Williams breaks down the character's strengths to reveal their flaws and dark secrets. I enjoy this darker and more thrilling reveal of the characters as it exposes the gritty reality of the human nature is composed of while trying to achieve fabricated happiness.As I read the novel, I found many poetic themes and situations that make you question real-life scenarios relating to our involvement in technology. Although Williams published this book in 2018, she tries to add a fantasy theme to the story, but it feels more like a prediction about what life will be like soon. This theme adds an eerie and unsettling feeling about the possibility of having this type of technology potentially so close in time. In my opinion, I was very intrigued by the storyline, and Williams incorporated many complex layers and ideas about the characters. However, I felt like the story was cut short in a rushed manner, and I felt like I was left with not as much closure and felt like I was left with only partial information, or chapters were removed from the story. Although this may be the case, there are many satisfying instances where you understand the unsaid intricacy of the machine's grasp on human emotions. But I still recommend this book for an intriguing read about technology and achieving happiness.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    The Loss of Connection to the Real World
  

*by N***5 on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 13, 2022*

I see the novel, Tell the Machine Goodnight, taking place in a contemporary fiction element where technology is being used to find your sense of happiness in a world that is similar, but far different from the one we live in. In the world we live in today, every where I go I not only see one person, but hundreds of people on their phones, not opening their eyes to the real world. This is because technology brings us a sense of happiness that cannot be brought from other things, this same idea is portrayed in the novel. Pearl, the mother of Rhett, works for the creators of Apricity, which created a device that tells you exactly what you need to do to feel happier. Pearl's job is to read people their Apricity results that often people will use instantly because they want instant gratification. Rhett is a teenager who is getting ready to leave for college and suffers from anorexia, which brings tons of worry and stress to Pearl. Pearl is constantly trying different things to bring happiness to Rhett, when she does not really know the real reason behind why he is so stubborn to talking to her about his struggles. To make this situation even more difficult, Pearl is divorced with Rhett's biological father, Elliot. Elliot and his new wife, Valeria, struggle with communication and end up hiding things from one another in order to keep the other safe. The different narrative perspectives in which this novel shifted from one to next in each chapter allowed me, the reader, to get a deeper understanding of what was going through the mind of each character. These shifts at time were abrupt happening during times of importance where the story was just about to be getting deeper. I think from all the different chapters each character displays the sense of attempting to find happiness and fulfillment while having no connection to real world surrounding them.

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*Product available on Desertcart New Zealand*
*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-02-26*