The Candy House

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The story begins with Bix Bouton, a tech mogul whose company, Mandala, is thriving. At 40 and feeling restless, he encounters a group of Columbia professors discussing a groundbreaking idea: externalizing memory. By 2020, Bix's innovation, "Own Your Unconscious," allows individuals to access and share their memories, captivating many but not all. Through interwoven narratives, the consequences of this technology unfold across decades, exploring the lives of various characters connected by their experiences. The work is both intellectually stimulating and deeply emotional, reflecting the human desire for connection, love, family, privacy, and redemption. Egan introduces a spectrum of characters, including "counters" who exploit desires and "eluders" who recognize the cost of indulging in this new reality. The narrative employs diverse styles, from omniscient perspectives to first-person plural and even tweets, creating a dynamic reading experience. The structure mirrors the disjointed nature of electronic dance music, with sections titled Build, Break, and Drop, emphasizing themes of gaming and alternate realities. Egan's exploration of technology's impact on culture reaches new heights, combining sharp intelligence with profound emotional depth.