Confusing execution of a bizarre concept.
The narrator is great however it made my head hurt.
Not my cup of coffee, but I sense that some other people would enjoy it.

A horrific experiment. An individual - a cyborg, really - living simultaneous lives. The megalomanic behind it all. As a scifi fan, the premise of "Automated Daydreaming" drew me in. It's unfortunate, then, that the book did not live up to its promise.

I'll begin with the positive: having listened to the audiobook version, I found the performance to be absolutely stellar.

As for the content: Feeling like a mix between Kafka's subversive tales and the most violent parts of Ghost in the Shell, this book did indeed require a content warning. Even that may not have prepared me for the brutality of the narrative - especially the dream sequences. But I can put aside any personal distaste I may have for descriptions of violence if it serves either the narrative or to subvert established power structures in our real lives. It could be argued that art does not bear that burden - but I do not agree.

Unlike Kafka, there is no deeper meaning here. There is no subversion - no truth spoken to power. The narrative - with its overblown language that still someone places the reader at a distance from the story - serves only to re-establish the power structures within which we live. I see here nothing of value: I read into it only self-indulgence, as if these are entries in a journal of nightmares rather than daydreams.

This is my first time reading anything by William Pauley III, and it was incredible. This novel was incredibly surreal and immersive, and left me feeling extremely uncomfortable in a very good way.

Bricker being forced to experience these five different lives in a state of automated daydreaming is harrowing, creepy, and deeply unsettling. It was so vivid and detailed, but also confusing.

The way these different stories that Bricker is living through intertwine together was really different than most novels that I've been reading, and listening to it through audiobook made it all the more compelling and creepy.

This book truly shines in showing the dark and seedy side of immortality, and the moral gray areas that arise from chasing it.

Much like nutmeg in a recipe, rape scenes are a heavy spice to put into a story. If sprinkled in delicately, they can add nuance to a story that builds to a satisfying resolution. Unfortunately, William Pauley III must've had a loose spice lid while writing 'Automated Daydreaming', because the gratuitous rape scene more than halfway into the story left a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the novel.

I enjoyed the concept enough. Upon finding the 'remains' of a man named Bricker Cablejuice, we are treated to him living lives in the multiverse, each of which he is unable to die. His immortality is horrifying in each one, with many of his lives resulting in a barely-living husk of a human wanting for death.

The audiobook performance is phenomenal, and I would recommend seeking that out if you want to read this book. Small sound effects are added at parts, which makes the story feel like a radio drama. Connor Brannigan has a great vocal talent and makes each persona lived by Bricker, as well as Gordon, sound distinct. I'll definitely seek out more of his audiobook reading in the future.

Again, it's not a terrible book, but the rape scene in question spoils the whole thing for me. It adds nothing to the story--hell, it's a dream sequence--and it just snowballs into the gross gender-targeted sexual horror that simply isn't what I want when I read horror. And, maybe this is just the leftist millennial in me, but I find it hard to believe that in a future where humans can modify their minds and bodies with computers, the only way to have a child is through a cisgender woman. Gordon should've just Brave New World-ed it.

I was given a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The following thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the story. The concept is really interesting. It's a well written weird book. BUT (yes there is a but) I did not enjoy this narrator. I did not enjoy the listening experience and couldn't wait for the book to be over. I think I would have enjoyed this so much more if I had of read it myself.

I have a very hard time reviewing bizarro/weird genres even though I enjoy reading them. I myself write surrealism, and the similarities sometimes make it hard for me to grasp the differences. Because this writing was so cyclical, the dissonance and disconnection in certain moments was distracting to me. But overall I enjoyed this book.

Immortality has been glamorized for ages. William Pauley III explores the dark side of immortality in his ambitious novel Automated Daydreaming: The Five Lives of Bricker Cablejuice.

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

As always, the narration on this book by Connor Brannigan was fantastic! He can put on so many characters voices, you’d believe there were 6 different people talking! The story itself is true horror in its purest form. This author is an automatic read for me! I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys creepy stories and doesn’t have too many triggers.

I have been becoming very familiar with William Pauley III's work over the last few months and he is becoming a name that I won’t forget. He has such a way of writing that really hits you. Unfortunately of his work that I have experienced this is my least favorite.

This was originally a few short stories that were put together to be this novel. It works together but at times I did feel it to be a little disjointed and I got lost. The plot as a whole worked but didn’t grab me like his work on the Bedlam Bible.

I always hate following what people say and agreeing but I think it needs to be said. The mermaid segment is definitely the strongest segment and will hit the hardest.

Personally I think I would have enjoyed these stories broken up into short stories but it’s still an enjoyable book.

Recommend adding a trigger warning for rape before the start of the audio book. For fellow readers: scene starts in Part 5 at around 1 hr 50 min mark and lasts 5 minutes. Had to DNF. Before this scene I was enjoying the distinct voices of the split characters.