Combining contemporary romance, women's fiction and a bit of sci-fi in a sharp, clever and entertaining way, The Arc is a deep examination of modern dating with a twist.
The protagonists, Ursula and Rafael, are both odd and eccentric, with powerful careers, great friends and busy lives in New York. The only thing they don't have is romantic connection, which they eventually seek at The Arc, a horrifyingly expensive dating service claiming to be able to guarantee lifelong love.
I'm really impressed by the nuances to the characters, their levels of depth and how they show the quirks, triggers and insecurities that are brought out as deep relationships progress. I like the frequent switches between easy banter and existential crises, and the added element of pressure from the Arc, which looms over them like a kind of Big Brother. It definitely gives me Black Mirror vibes, from the well-researched psychological explanations to the sense of foreboding when cracks emerge in a seemingly perfect match.
I do like the strong feminist stance of the main character, but the same points are repeated a few too many times for me. And I did guess the final twist at the end, but I was still satisfied at the reveal, so all in all I'm glad I picked this up.
If you like witty and sarcastic books that subtly criticise elements of society, protagonists like Eleanor Oliphant, explorations of psychology or original approaches to romance, give this a go.
The protagonists, Ursula and Rafael, are both odd and eccentric, with powerful careers, great friends and busy lives in New York. The only thing they don't have is romantic connection, which they eventually seek at The Arc, a horrifyingly expensive dating service claiming to be able to guarantee lifelong love.
I'm really impressed by the nuances to the characters, their levels of depth and how they show the quirks, triggers and insecurities that are brought out as deep relationships progress. I like the frequent switches between easy banter and existential crises, and the added element of pressure from the Arc, which looms over them like a kind of Big Brother. It definitely gives me Black Mirror vibes, from the well-researched psychological explanations to the sense of foreboding when cracks emerge in a seemingly perfect match.
I do like the strong feminist stance of the main character, but the same points are repeated a few too many times for me. And I did guess the final twist at the end, but I was still satisfied at the reveal, so all in all I'm glad I picked this up.
If you like witty and sarcastic books that subtly criticise elements of society, protagonists like Eleanor Oliphant, explorations of psychology or original approaches to romance, give this a go.