Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

Blurb:

A cozy near-future novella about a crew of leftover robots opening their very own noodle shop, from acclaimed sci-fi author Annalee Newitz.

An instant USA Today and indie bestseller!

You don’t have to eat food to know the way to a city’s heart is through its stomach. So when a group of deactivated robots come back online in an abandoned ghost kitchen, they decide to make their own way doing what they know: making food―the tastiest hand-pulled noodles around―for the humans of San Francisco, who are recovering from a devastating war.

But when their robot-run business starts causing a stir, a targeted wave of one-star reviews threatens to boil over into a crisis. To keep their doors open, they’ll have to call on their customers, their community, and each other―and find a way to survive and thrive in a world that wasn’t built for them.

Review:

I saw this book recommended in r/Fantasy under a post, and the premise instantly hooked me. Since I had just finished reading a heavy sci-fi book, I was itching for a simpler, cozy read. This one seemed perfect, with brownie points because of Martha Well’s praise. I dove in, and if it weren’t for my busy schedule, I would’ve finished this in a single sitting. That’s how engaging Automatic Noodle was. So, without further ado, let’s get to the review.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

What I liked:

For the past couple of years, cozy fantasy has been a popular genre among readers. Legends & Lattes (I know, it’s not the first cozy fantasy, but it did popularize the genre) spawned a whole series of imitators trying to capitalize on the trend. However, few books have managed to evoke that same sense of coziness that I felt when reading Legends & Lattes. Until I read Automatic Noodle. Almost everything about the book worked for me in wonderful ways. 

I’ll start with the characters. StayBehind, Sweetie, Hands, and Cayenne all felt like friends I was working alongside. Each one had a past that was either dark, bittersweet, or both, and that led to some very nuanced character development, which made all of their wins all the more rewarding. Each has a personality that stands out, which is really saying something given that they’re all robots. Without a scummy corporation exploiting them, they get to choose how they want to use their time, and they decide to do something good: run a restaurant and serve actually good food. As they go about this, there are ample metaphoric hoops they have to jump through, but their growth and success feel real and honest, and you can’t help but root for them. 

The world-building was another aspect that stood out beautifully. The USA is split into two separate states, a subtle nod to the politics of our times. In fact, the story starts just in the wake of a war. As normalcy returns, our robots awaken after their overlord corporation decides to up and leave in order to avoid the consequences of their crypto scam. Our robots take charge, using legal loopholes to seize control of their restaurant. Every aspect of this set-up is brilliantly done. From the notary bots to the fascinating dystopian-seeming Internet, to the use of social media and divisive algorithms, Automatic Noodle takes inspiration from real-world troubles to make our MCs’ struggles feel as real as their personalities. 

Now, for the one part of the book that I found particularly interesting, but also left me with mixed feelings: the anti-robot sentiments. Given all the debate around AI, reading this book was quite a reflective experience. As much as I wanted to blindly root for the robots, I also understand the perspective of the anti-robot factions. However, the one review bomber who actually causes some trouble for our MCs isn’t pictured as an evil villain. They are simply a human being trying to find their place in this exploitative and increasingly vitriolic world. The more I reflect on it, the more I come to terms with the fact that the robots—and by extension, AI—aren’t the real enemies. It’s the greedy corporations who’re constantly racing to win in a system that’s inherently apathetic towards the people and machines it depends on to survive. Reading Automatic Noodle is cozy, but sitting with it past its final pages will leave you reflecting on many of the questions it raises within its story.

The food didn’t take up as much of the book as I would’ve liked. But the little bites (pun intended) we got were absolutely stunning. I have never eaten biang biang noodles, and I felt genuinely disheartened at not finding this dish in any of the restaurants in my city. Annalee Newitz presents these noodles in the most mouth-watering way, and when I finally get to eat them, I know I’m going to think of this read. 

Overall, a brilliantly cozy, reflective read. You’ll probably be able to finish this in a single sitting. 

What I didn’t like:

So, there’s very little that didn’t work for me. In fact, I have only one arguably major complaint with the book. And that’s the ending. I felt the book ended a little too abruptly. While I really liked how they dealt with the review bomber, the resolution played out too simplistically. It wasn’t as satisfying as I expected it to be. After that, it’s just business as usual. No major ups or wins, just casually moving on and… the end. I admit that this book left me wanting more. On one hand, that’s a great thing. On the other hand, the abrupt ending left me feeling incomplete and dissatisfied.   

Apart from that, I have no complaints. It’s not the most fantastic book out there, but for fans of cozy fantasy and inclusive reads, this is outstanding. 

Conclusion:

Heart-warming, evocative, and just the right amount of tension, Automatic Noodle is a sweet and short, comfy read that is sure to leave you craving for more.

TL;DR:

WHAT I LIKED: Characters, world-building, reflective themes, cozy vibes

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: Abrupt ending