“UnWorld” is Mr. Greene’s first novel; his memoir, “Once More We Saw Stars” (2019), recounted the loss of his first child. This, too, is a story of grief, identity and the struggle for connection. Mercifully, Mr. Greene dispenses with tedious sci-fi world-building and concentrates on the emotional journeys of the characters, relegating references to how AI has changed society to intriguing asides.
The story smoothly switches among four narrators—prickly Anna, messy Cathy, deadpan Samantha and restless Aviva—and their cumulative perspectives on Alex’s death click together with the satisfying pacing of a murder mystery. AI alter egos are nothing new in speculative fiction, but Mr. Greene grounds the premise in knotty emotion and authentic humanity. Many scenes hold their own as realistic literary fiction: This is less “I, Robot” and more “Ordinary People.” Certainly, after reading a few excruciatingly believable arguments between Anna and her husband, I am confident that Mr. Greene is a man who has fought with his wife.