A Borrowed Man

In a dystopian 22nd century, libraries maintain "reclones" - reconstructed versions of authors complete with their memories and personalities. These reclones can be checked out like books, but face disposal if they go unused. Ern A. Smithe, a recloned mystery writer, becomes entangled in a real investigation when a patron borrows him to help solve the suspicious deaths of her father and brother. The only clue is one of Smithe's own novels found in her father's otherwise empty safe. The narrative follows Smithe's attempts to apply his century-old knowledge and fictional detective writing experience to navigate this unfamiliar future world and uncover the truth behind the deaths. The novel explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the value of human life through its premise of preserved minds as library resources. It raises questions about the nature of existence and free will in a world where people can be replicated and treated as property.

Readers find this book less complex than Wolfe's other works, with a more straightforward noir mystery plot. The concept of cloned authors as library resources intrigues many readers. Positives: - Clear, accessible writing style - Interesting world-building details - Effective noir atmosphere - Thought-provoking ethical questions about cloning Negatives: - Plot threads left unresolved - Character development feels incomplete - Pacing issues in the middle sections - Several readers expected more depth from Wolfe Multiple readers note the book feels "unfinished" or "rushed toward the end." One reviewer called it "a good story that needed more time to fully develop its ideas." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (50+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.6/5 (30+ ratings) The book maintains middle-range scores across review platforms, with readers split between those who appreciate its accessibility and those who wanted more complexity from Wolfe's final novel.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick Explores artificial consciousness and what defines humanity through a bounty hunter pursuing androids who believe they are human.

The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall Features a man who may be a copy of himself investigating a mystery while exploring themes of identity and information as a tangible force.

The Preserved by Edward Ashton Follows uploaded human consciousnesses in a future library system who solve historical cold cases using their preserved memories.

Gun, with Occasional Music by Jonathan Lethem Combines classic noir detective fiction with science fiction in a future where evolved animals and memory-altering drugs are commonplace.

Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan Presents a future where human consciousness can be stored and transferred between bodies, following a detective investigating a murder in this complex system.

🔸 Gene Wolfe served in the Korean War and helped develop the machine used to make Pringles potato chips before becoming a celebrated science fiction author. 🔸 The concept of storing human consciousness in libraries echoes real-world developments in AI and digital preservation, including projects aimed at creating "digital immortality." 🔸 The book was published in 2015, just two years before Wolfe's retirement from writing and four years before his death in 2019, making it one of his final novels. 🔸 The noir elements in "A Borrowed Man" reflect Wolfe's trademark style of blending genres, which he famously employed in his award-winning "The Book of the New Sun" series. 🔸 The novel's premise of "reclones" builds on actual library practices of preserving authors' works, but takes it to a biological extreme where the authors themselves become part of the collection.