Brain Wash - Book Summary

Published in 1909, 'The Machine Stops' is a prophetic tale by E.M. Forster that depicts a future where humans live underground in isolated rooms, relying on 'The Machine' for all their needs. The story follows Vashti and her son Kuno, who live on opposite sides of the world and communicate through the Machine. Kuno's desire to experience the surface world and his warnings about the Machine's impending failure are met with resistance from Vashti, who is deeply entrenched in the Machine's culture. The narrative explores themes of technological dependence, social isolation, and the erosion of human values, culminating in a catastrophic event when the Machine stops functioning, leading to the collapse of the society it supports.

Brainwash is a psychological whodunit that details the attempt to gain a confession from a suspect, George Barker, in a case involving three particularly gruesome murders. The novel, part of the Inspector Lyle series, is set over a few hours and involves a relentless interrogation by Inspector Lyle and his colleague. The story explores the marital breakdown of the suspect and his wife, and it includes a brutal but plausible depiction of police methods. Wainwright's experience as a police officer adds authenticity to the narrative, which also delves into the minds of the four main characters, revealing deep and dark secrets and a significant twist at the end.