
Science Fiction Meets the Art World in This Standout Sophomore Novel
immaculate conception is a literary science fiction novel that injects revolutionary technology and scientific advances into the world of art. Some of the science/technology in the story is very much within the realm of possibility (such as AI), while others seem more speculative (such as humans having children on their own). But all of this is done in the name of artistic expression, in the name of experimenting with what is possible and how the public will react to such experiments.
At the center of these artistic experiments are Mathilde and Enka. These two friends meet at art school and quickly form a deeply obsessive, codependent bond with each other. Enka immediately admires his classmate Mathilde’s artistic vision. Mathilde has a unique perspective and unparalleled talent, and Enka hopes that access to such talent will help her rise to stardom. For Mathilde, Enka is an endless source of comfort, someone who is always there for her even in her darkest moments.
Mathilde and Enka graduate and live their adult lives, both going in separate directions. Mathilde becomes a famous artist, highly praised by critics, and her bizarre exhibitions shock and intrigue audiences. Enka married a wealthy man, which gave her access to the elite art world from a different perspective. However, Enka’s mother-in-law never takes her or her art seriously.
But despite their vastly different trajectories, Mathilde and Enka’s lives remain inexorably intertwined. Their love and respect for each other is complex and difficult to express in words. And SCAFFOLD further disrupts their relationship. This new invention allows Enka and Mathilde to truly merge their minds. Enka volunteers to enter Mathilde’s mind and undergo a procedure that increases her empathic abilities and allows her friend to process her deepest traumas. When their hearts become one, Mathilde and Enka become one forever. But when they learn the truth about each other, will they want it anymore?
Dear reader, there is so much going on in this book that it is difficult to summarize it in a few paragraphs. It may seem like we’ve covered much of the plot already, but keep in mind that we’ve only just scratched the surface. immaculate conception This is a novel that you can’t just read. I have experienced that. And you should definitely experience it.
If you like stories about female friendships, narrators with questionable ethics, satires of elitist art culture, and disturbing science fiction, you won’t want to put this book down.
