The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami is a phenomenal speculative fiction exploring the consequences of our intimate relationship with technology and how it rules our lives obfuscating the truth of its true intentions which is to control, police, and commodify the human experience.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
Synopsis
Sara Hussein is a museum archivist who’s traveling home from a work trip in London. Anxious to be reunited with her husband Elias and twin toddlers. However, she encounters an issue with her facial scan and is transferred to another line. There the agent found something in her file and transferred her to the Risk Assessment Agency for further evaluation.
Once there she undergoes an interview process where the agent tells her that her risk assessment score is higher than normal and goes about trying to determine why this is. Eventually, he concludes that due to data collected from her Dreamscape implant for insomnia which maintains a pre-crime algorithm that has observed her dreams, she’s a potential risk to her husband and may commit a deadly crime due to the violent nature of said dreams. She is then sent to a detention center for twenty-one days for observation.
Upon arriving at the detention center she’s repeatedly assured this isn’t a prison and she’s not a prisoner but a detainee under observation. If she obeys the rules and regulations of the facility and her risk score lowers she’ll be released after the three-week observation period. Yet, she quickly learns that the attendees love to change the rules on a whim creating ambiguity for the detainees and charging them with write-ups that raise their risk scores. Leading to extensions for detainees preventing them from being released.
Sara’s three-week stint turns into six months and she begins to fear and despair that she’ll never see her husband and family again.
Content
Exploring themes involving the reach of technology and data collection seems like such a timely topic to cover. Perhaps hitting a little too close to home. Yet, this novel explores this theme beautifully. You can see how well-researched, planned, and organized this novel is. It feels like such a cohesive and intentional piece.
Lalami inserts rich commentary regarding the costs of allowing technology, surveillance, and the powers that be full autonomy of our lives. She provides a terrifying peek into a reality in which algorithms are utilized for crime prevention because of their “unbiased” approach to such manners. Yet, the truth is they lack nuance and context painting an incomplete picture based on bias, stereotypes, and incomplete stories about a person to push a particular narrative.
Writing Style
This story was structurally solid. The layout of this novel is remarkable for establishing Sara’s reality and jumping into the meat of the story. While also expanding on this world and reality giving you a better understanding of what’s going on and all that Sara’s lost.
The pacing for this story was more of a slow burn as Lalami prioritized the details of this story showcasing her knowledge of tech and where it’s headed. Additionally, she did phenomenal work developing the characters and adding layers. The inclusion of mixed media elements helped to provide more context and insight into the machinations and corruption of the RAA.
Lastly, Lalami’s prose is so refined and profound without being overwhelming or difficult for you to digest making it a comfortable and enjoyable read.
Plot Development
Don’t expect an action-packed plot. The priority of this novel is to explore this technologically advanced world and its impact on society and the marginalized citizens it impacts. This is a complex character story with key plot points designed to either explore the consequences of this new world, and the mental and emotional condition of the characters or to reveal key information to the reader.
Characters
Sara was such a dynamic and complex character to read. Her plight made for a propulsive read as I wanted to know not just if she would be released but also understand the impact her detention would have on her mentally and emotionally. Her arc is superb and allows you to experience the roller coaster of emotions she does. Leading to the key revelations she shares in the conclusion.
Rating & Recommendations
This story freaked me out a little as it felt a little too close to home. I’m thinking twice about a few apps I’ve downloaded on my phone and disabling apps to track me that’s for sure. Despite the slight paranoia, I’ve developed I LOVED this novel. The themes, writing style, and complex characterization have made it an instant favorite.
The Dream Hotel is ideal for readers who love speculative fiction that explores themes surrounding the invasiveness of technology. With complex characterization, and multi-layered storytelling that don’t mind a slower pace.
However, if character-driven storytelling isn’t your thing or you like a fast, snappy pace with tons of action this may not be ideal for you.
