What an odd little book! This was my first book by Scheweblin but it certainly won't be my last.

In the world that Schweblin creates, the kentuki craze has hit. Remember Furbies? Now imagine a slightly larger Furby that has a camera in it. And imagine that some random person somewhere in the world has paid for the privilege to use that camera and 'inhabit' the kentuki that you bought, essentially living in your house without really being there. That is the bizarre premise of this book.

The story alternates between different POVs--which end up feeling like interwoven short stories--that take you all over the world and focus on both the keepers of these "pets" and the people that inhabit that. It is a fascinating study of human psychology, exploring what motivates people to want to be a keeper or a kentuki itself.

From the first chapter, you know this isn't going to turn out well. Not at all a spoiler: allowing strangers into your home through virtual reality is going to lead to some really messed up situations. There are definitely some cringe-worthy and unsettling moments in this book. But it ultimately is an interesting look at voyeurism and the things people will do when they think they are anonymous. This weird little book is one that is going to stick with me for awhile.

TW: Pedophilia; sexual content; extortion; implied sexual violence