Hum by Helen Phillips – domestic life with a Hum. Helen Phillips’s novel “Hum” examines the nuanced intersection of artificial intelligence and domestic life through the lens of a contemporary family. Set in a subtle near-future backdrop, the narrative follows a mother’s perspective as she navigates the increasingly complex relationship between human autonomy and android oversight.
Phillips excels in portraying the delicate balance of family dynamics. The relationship between the parents, while strained, maintains credibility as they work to preserve their family unit. The daughter’s characterisation as a miniature caretaker to her younger brother adds depth to the family portrait.
The novel’s exploration of maternal instinct against societal pressures begins with a pivotal decision: the protagonist’s choice to alter her face in exchange for a family outing to botanical gardens. This decision leads to a series of events, from practical complications with facial recognition systems to broader questions about financial responsibility and family priorities.
The titular “hums” – we meet through their therapeutic interventions and persistent advertising – are pervasive but with a sense of already having become normalised in society. However, their physical appearance and broader societal impact remain largely undefined.
While Phillips excels at intimate family portraiture and subtle world-building, the narrative tension remains subdued until late in the novel. The climactic incident – where the family faces accusations of child neglect following a social media storm – presents an opportunity for deeper exploration of human judgment versus artificial oversight. However, this crucial plot point receives relatively light treatment.
The conclusion, which brings a hum into the family’s home to evaluate their parenting capabilities, feels somewhat unfinished. While the novel succeeds in its detailed examination of family life under technological surveillance, it stops short of fully developing its broader themes and implications.
Phillips’s strength lies in her authentic portrayal of domestic life and the gentle introduction of dystopian elements. However, the narrative could benefit from more thorough exploration of its science fiction premises and stronger development of its climactic moments.
