The Bug: A Novel

By: 
Ellen Ullman
Published: 
2003
Pages: 
356
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Book Description

"The Bug" is a mesmerizing first novel about a demonic, elusive computer bug and the havoc it wreaks on the lives of the people around it. This rare combination: a novel of ideas and a suspense, it is a story about obsession and love that takes readers deep into both the personal and virtual life. In 1984, at the dawn of the personal-computer era, Roberta Walton, a novice software tester at a SiliconValley start-up, stumbles across a bug. She brings it to its inadvertent creator, Ethan Levin, a longtime programmer who is working at the limits of his knowledge and abilities. Both believe this is a bug like any other to be found and fixed and crossed off the list. But no matter how obsessively Ethan combs through the depths of the code, he can't find its cause. Roberta runs test after test but can't make the bug appear at will. Meanwhile, the bug, living up to its name, "The Jester," shows itself only at the least opportune times and jeopardizes the fate of the company.

Under the pressures of his obsession with the bug and his rapidly deteriorating personal life, Ethan begins to unravel. Roberta, on the other hand, is drawn to the challenge. Forced to learn how to program, she comes to appreciate the intense intimacy of speaking the computer's language.

As she did in "Close to the Machine," Ellen Ullman brilliantly limns the space between human beings and computers, a space we all occupy every day as we peer into our monitors. Ullman has been a computer programmer for more than twenty years, and having switched from code to prose, she has shown herself to be a unique, revelatory writer. She is the insider who can articulate the realities of the technical world, taking readers to emotional and intellectual places fiction has never brought them before. With "The Bug," Ullman proves she is not only a remarkable essayist but also a master storyteller.

Member Reviews: 

Review By: Dayna L. Spear
05/07/2006In "The Bug," author Ellen Ullman gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of software professionals, artfully depicting the ways they interact with one another. The frustrations and triumphs of each role are clearly laid out in a fictional story-line format, making it a book you can't put down. Although even a novice can learn from this book, it would cause an expert to take into consideration his/her coworkers’ roles in software engineering and defect tracking.

Ullman is adept at describing the processes of software engineering. "The Bug" is organized into four parts with five or six chapters in each. The story opens with a scene in which a tester, Roberta, experiences a memory flashback to a search for a bug dubbed "The Jester." The reader is also introduced to Ethan Levin, the programmer to whom the bug report is submitted. Emotions are high as The Jester appears at the most inopportune times, for example, at a presentation to the venture capitalists funding the company. Yet, Ethan is unable to reproduce the bug at will, unable to find its origin, and therefore unable to fix the problem.

"The Bug" appropriately portrays the entire software engineering team and the importance of interaction between team members. Other team members' lack of support and encouragement served to further dishearten Ethan Levin when he was unsuccessful in finding the bug. Building and maintaining self-esteem is a key element in teambuilding. This team was missing it, and to its own detriment!

Roberta Walton, tester turned programmer, trained by Ethan Levin, ended up finding The Jester after Ethan's destruction and departure. Her determination to learn more about software engineering and yet not allow it to consume her paid off. It resulted in a seemingly simple solution—and the bug wasn't even facilitated by a mistake on Ethan's part, but was the fault of another programmer.

User Comments

3 comments
Julia Shonka's picture
Julia Shonka

Great reviews - I think I will try this book out.

Friday, November 4, 2005 - 14:06
Paul Leclerc's picture
Paul Leclerc

I really loved this novel. It gave a very realistic view of some of the insanity of software development. Although, Ethans gradual decline could occur in almost any industry, we software developers are an unstable breed! This book also gives some good insight into how NOT to treat temperamental superstars. This ties very well into the other discussion on techie superstars here on StickyMinds.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 13:57
Dayna Spear's picture
Dayna Spear

Good reference, Paul. Anyone who wishes to read and comment on the article to which Paul is referring may search for it on this site by title: "The Tale of the Too-Talented Techie" or, during July and August 2005, go to the StickyMinds.com homepage and click on the "Management Chronicles" icon within the Better Software magazine box.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 17:19

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