Automatic Eve - Rokuro Inui

Set in an alternate steampunk version of Edo-period Japan, Automatic Eve follows a mysterious and beautifully constructed automaton named Eve. Built to mimic human behavior with uncanny precision, Eve becomes entangled in a web of political conspiracies, personal quests, and spiritual dilemmas that reveal much about the people around her—and what it means to be truly alive.

The novel is a genre-bending mix of historical fiction, science fantasy, and philosophical inquiry. Through interconnected narratives and shifting perspectives, Rokuro Inui invites the reader to explore a rich world of artifice, technology, and emotion, all brought to life through Matt Treyvaud’s English translation.

Main Themes of the Book

• Humanity vs. Artificial Intelligence: Eve’s existence challenges characters to reflect on the nature of consciousness, emotion, and self-awareness.
• Power and Control: The novel critiques political ambition, religious manipulation, and the cost of technological advancement.
• Identity and Duality: Eve’s shifting roles mirror the multiple identities people adopt, questioning whether soul or circumstance defines us.
• Innovation in Tradition: Blending classic Japanese culture with mechanical wonder, the story reimagines the Edo era through a steampunk lens.

Why you should read this book

• Perfect for fans of Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, and philosophical sci-fi.
• Offers a richly imagined setting unlike typical Western steampunk.
• Features a strong yet enigmatic female lead who is both observer and catalyst.
• Combines mystery, political intrigue, and speculative thought in a literary package.
• Thought-provoking without sacrificing momentum or suspense.

Automatic Eve is a compelling journey through a gorgeously strange world where the lines between machine and human, real and artificial, are constantly blurred. Rokuro Inui’s vision is both intimate and vast, offering a novel that is at once thrilling, meditative, and haunting. A must-read for lovers of intelligent speculative fiction with a cultural twist.