Qualityland

THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY meets 1984: In the near-future sci-fi world of QualityLand, algorithms promise an idyllic life—but what if this perfect world wasn't built for you? Welcome to QualityLand, the epitome of a utopian society where a universal ranking system dictates social status and career paths. Here, an automated matchmaking service handles everything from pairing ideal partners to orchestrating breakups when those matches inevitably change. And the foolproof algorithms of the biggest, most successful company in the world, TheShop, know what you want before you do and conveniently deliver to your doorstep before you even order it. In QualityCity, Peter Jobless, a machine scrapper by trade, grapples with his role in dismantling machines that he secretly believes have worth. He unwittingly becomes the leader of a group of robotic misfits hidden in his home and workplace. When Peter receives a product from TheShop that he unequivocally does not want, he faces a monumental decision: return the product and challenge the infallible algorithms of TheShop, risking a seismic upheaval of QualityLand's carefully constructed perfection. Marc-Uwe Kling’s QualityLand, his first book translated into English, is a sharp, insightful satire reminiscent of Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and George Orwell. This brilliantly clever and thought-provoking novel offers a darkly humorous glimpse into a future that may be closer than we’d like to admit. Don’t wait—TheShop already knows you’ll enjoy this book, so dive in and discover why. Read more