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ntawn0's review against another edition
5.0
Giving this a 5 star review based on the fact I consider this a 5 star experience and Kim Stanley Robinson a master of what he does. That being said, some aspects of this book drag it down. As the book is split into 10 different sections--I've seen some people call them like 10 novellas, but that feels misleading--different sections land better than others. Some sections feature characters having EXTENSIVE discussions on the nature of history (and all sections have discussions of some kind), these can slow the pace of the novel, even if the discussions being had are relevant. Robinson's approach to causality and desire to tell this story through ordinary people is fascinating--although "ordinary" requires some qualifiers, as many of these characters influence the projection of world history in their own ways. Overall, i think this book is a 5 star experience that well outweighs some wonky pacing.
chiefjusticecharleshughes's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
orangeburrito's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Wasted potential the book. Sincerely, fuck this bloated, meaningless novel. There are good alt-history novels, but this isn't one of them.
rants_n_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
pinch's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
skycrane's review against another edition
5.0
The summary of this book is at the same time very accurate, and also completely useless in recommending this book. Yes, it is a story of a history in which all of Europe dies out in the year 1400, but that's mostly something going on in the background, while the main story is about the spiritual journey of a half dozen souls reincarnated over 10 or 11 cycles. Thematically it is very similar to the author's Mars trilogy, with two visions of human progress in conflict, the cynical and the utopian. The characters, whether Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, or humanist, are constantly reckoning with the distance between their reality and their ideals. Some of the chapters regard characters at the center of great events, at the turning points of history, while others feature ordinary people living ordinary lives, struggling to get by. I think the alternate history is plausible and interesting enough, but the real draw of this novel is the characters.
gravytrain29's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aberdeenwaters's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful blend of speculative fiction and alternative history. Super ambitious. But I liked it, especially the final 200 pages or so. Lots of history and philosophy here. I really liked the idea of the Bardo being a way station for those being reincarnated. He toys a lot with religion, history, and the idea of reincarnation. Don't be intimidated.