I picked up Girl Parts when we visited the Northbrook library early in September. I couldn’t resist the cover. Or the title. I probably should have resisted. The main characters are boys, which is fine – or would be if the boys were better characters. Also would have been nice to step away from the stereotyping just a wee bit, dude. Guys who spend too much time on the internet are “disassociated’ (aka dissociative disorder – the book uses “disassociated” throughout) and need a female companion to help them re-associate with the world. Guys who are having problems within their family and are depressed are disassociated and therefore need a female companion to re-associate. Guys in general appear to be disassociated for any number of reasons and they all need female companions – robotic female companions who don’t have control over their own wants and needs.
Girls who are depressed – no companion for them. Girls who spend too much time on the internet – oops outta luck. Boys are the only ones who want (or need) a robo-companion to make out with (oh, sorry – bond with.) Queer girls are equally out of luck if you’re wondering. The female companion bots won’t hook up with girls – it’s bad.
It’s like Manga but worse – I actually like Manga.
I liked it.