Scan barcode
manreetkaur's review
4.0
One of the most unique books, I have read, it left me thinking about each memo, even outside of reading the book. Highly relevant, this novella follows crew members on the Six-Thousand Ship who tell a group of panelists about certain objects, internal turmoil, and workplace drama. The memos grow more ominous, and the reader suspects a dark fate for the crew members. Also, some of these members are humanoid, which means they are as human as Dr. Lund (the only doctor on the ship), could make them. The memos reflect society's tendency to get rid of the old, the deep attachment one may feel to something out of the blue, the effects of isolation, and so much more. I think it is a worthy read. To understand it, you may have to read it once. That is why I rated it a 3.5/5. It can be hard to follow and all over the place, but I feel that is the purpose. I think I have to read it more than once too!
froon's review
4.5
this was a gorgeous book. before i read this, i had heard that it was hard to follow, but ravn and aitken’s sentence work is so impeccable that it was easy to fall into the pace and routine of these workers’ lives. the balance between abstraction and weirdness works so well. the characters often state plainly what they are thinking and feeling (i.e. statement 010: “i don’t know if i’m human anymore. am i human? does it say in your files what i am?” pg 14) which gives room for the stranger topics of the objects (and interaction with them) and the humanoids to be pulled to the limits without losing it’s grounding.
even though the action was peripheral, the consequences were tangible. and the ending really struck me.with the grass gripped in a fist. how there is comfort in the uncertainty of the future.
ravn was also obviously very enamored by an art gallery before writing this book which is so charming and deeply relatable. if only she would think about the shareholders!
even though the action was peripheral, the consequences were tangible. and the ending really struck me.
ravn was also obviously very enamored by an art gallery before writing this book which is so charming and deeply relatable. if only she would think about the shareholders!
pollymer's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
friedfae's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Views into how a company has manipulated its employees, both human and non-human. Ignoring the consequences of their actions, etc. Enjoyed this short read.
superblyfeatured's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
meowyagnes's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lydiart's review against another edition
3.0
interesting writing style with statements attributed to no one in particular that you’re piecing together. i think i’d have liked it a lot more in a different mood!
irismessenger_'s review against another edition
5.0
I’m rating a lot of books five stars lately, tbh I’m not really feeling star ratings anymore, but also everything I’ve read of late has not disappointed me. So why not rate everything five stars? Fuck Amazon, you’re not getting meta data out of me. And I write this on my review of The Employees because I think the humanoids would approve.
eren_reads's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
What a strange little exploration of the question, what makes a human?