The Klone and I

Work Title: The Klone and I
Medium: Novel
Episode Title:
Year: 1998
Writer(s): Danielle Steel
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: Yes
Summary:

Amazon.com Evidently, Danielle Steel has been kidnapped by a mad scientist who clamped her into some gizmo that fused her brain with that of Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. While Steel's umpteenth novel, The Klone and I: A High-Tech Love Story, boasts her typical trappings--a divorced heroine, a cruel man, a sexy man with big money, and lots of shopping with brand-name tags conspicuously attached--the book is also the wackiest bit of self-indulgent sci-fi since Douglas Adams's Starship Titanic. The Klone and I starts out normally enough: after a 13-year marriage, Stephanie, 41, gets dumped for a busty young bimbo. "She was gorgeous. And I felt nauseous," Stephanie reflects--though she admits that things hadn't been going well, what with hubby living off her trust fund and their having sex every six months or so. Realistically, their farewell hug goes like this: "My nose ran on his tie, while ever so cautiously he held me, kind of like a bank robber with sticks of dynamite taped all over his body." Then, one day, on an impulsive trip to the Left Bank of Paris, Steph steps into one of those cool old French elevators with Peter, a hunk in a button-down Oxford shirt and tasteful khakis. Romance! Ritzy places! In fact, he takes her to the Ritz! Alas, Peter must Louvre her and leave her for a business trip out West. So Peter sends Paul to keep her company. Paul is a dead ringer for Peter, because he's a kind of clone created by Peter and his clever biotech company. He's called a "klone" to distinguish him from a conventional clone, which is a mere replica of its original--this "klone" may be a physical copy of Peter, but inside he's had a major id upgrade. As always with Steel, the clue is in the character's clothes: from his high-heel gator boots to his zippered zebra jumpsuit, the decidedly non-buttoned-down Paul dresses like a psychedelic kaleidoscope. But when Paul drops that leopard-satin G-string, watch out! It's quadruple flips in flagrante delicto, with our heroine (and, the next morning, her chiropractor) coming out on top. Though Paul deplorably guzzles Chateau d'Yquem by the case and crashes Peter's Jaguar into snow banks, he's actually even more brilliantly empathic with Stephanie's kids than stuffy Peter is. What's a mother to do? Is Steph robbing Peter to play with Paul? How will the ménage à trois affect marriage plans? Does Steel know that her comic tone (though not her subject) actually slightly echoes that of Betty MacDonald's classic comedy memoir The Egg and I, whose title she alludes to? Is the author a convert from fiction to sci-fi, like Doris Lessing? Will the real Ms. Steel ever reappear, or has her mind been psychedelicized? --Tim Appelo --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: Amazon
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Present day, late 1990's.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Paul Klone
  • Description of the technology: Paul Klone is a clone of Peter, Stephanie's boyfriend. Paul is a clone of Peter, although more like a robot. He is made of bionics and wires, etc. When not in use he resides in a lab, with his head off of his body. He looks just a human, just like Peter. However, his personality is completely different. Paul is flamboyant, wild and immature, while Peter is conservative and intellectual. Paul is alos ingratiating and fun to be around. No one would guess he is not human. He acts crazy, in a good way. Very fun. Drinks a lot, but never seems drunk. Also very generous with Peter's money.
  • Nature of task or activity: He interacts with people as if he is a human. Stephanie treats him as her boyfriend. They have fantastic sex and bond emotionally. He worships her and makes her loosen up and have fun.
  • Performance of the Technology: He works very well - too well. He is supposed to simply entertain Stephanie and ends up trying to make her fall in love with him.
  • Description of creator(s): Peter - a scientist/business man, who owns a bionics company in Silicon Valley. Very wealthy, conservative, intellectual, caring - generally great. in his mid 50's, white. Princeton grad.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): to entertain people and eventually profit.
  • Description of users of technology: Peter, Stephanie - a divorcee in her 40's. and anyone else who interacts with him as a human.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: It is a great experience spending time with Paul. He is fun, funny, and enjoyable to spend time with. He is great with children and the life of the party. He is also caring and sympathetic.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: At first Stephanie is unaware - she finds out after spending the night with him. Only she and Peter know he is a clone and not human.
  • Valence of experience: Very enjoyable.
  • Specific responses: The parasocial relationship between Stephanie and Paul is intense. She thinks she may love him, but evetualy realizes she truly loves Peter. Her emotions run the gamut, from angry to happy to sad.
Long-term consequences:

Peter and Stephanie end up happy together. Paul is retired.

Other:

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University