Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
One of the favorite books I've read in awhile. A plot full of adventures and twists galore. I loved it despite thinking I was totally over dystopian fiction.
There is no way to do a legit review of this book without spoilers. I was really enjoying this book for the first 1/2 and totally engaged in the plot, characters, and strange utopian world. One thing I remember thinking was that the main character was missing the clues he was being given. Yes people were missing free choice, but they were also missing all the terrible things in our society: war, famine, poverty, violence, disease, etc. There were things I didn't really like, how in the secret society the men were obviously in charge and some of the detached ways they talked about sex, but I felt that might be a product of the time the book was written and I was willing to be a bit forgiving. (I forgive Truman Capote quite a bit)
I actually regretted not recommending the book to my book club. Until the rape scene, that was. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against a rough or aggressive scene when the story calls for it. The rape scene in "the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is an example of a book that had a very vivid, extremely violent rape scene that didn't ruin the book, but was actually necessary for the liberation of one the more interesting character in modern literature.
In this book, however, the rape scene only supports a patriarchy founded in rape culture. The man wasn't getting what he wanted (why didn't she appreciate all he had done for her, he wonders) so he rapes her (to show her that having sex with him is what she really wanted) and the result is she wakes up and realizes she loved him all along --- excuse me while I throw up in my mouth.
After that, everything the main character does is colored by this. He is selfish, self-righteous, and despicable. He thinks he is doing "what's best for society" without thinking through the consequences. When presented by a society not run by Uni, a society that is racist and corrupt, he still wants to bring down the system that protects people. When he learns about the programmers (another corrupt entity) he decides to violently overthrown them through murder.
The worst is I think the author missed the point. I kept looking for clues that the author realized Chip was wrong and was showing us that there is no good side of humanity. If the clues were there, I missed them. I really think the author thought Chip was a hero, and for me, that was the worst part of the book. Chip was not a hero. Wei was not a hero. The utter tragedy is that Uni actually was better at running society that people were.
I actually regretted not recommending the book to my book club. Until the rape scene, that was. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against a rough or aggressive scene when the story calls for it. The rape scene in "the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is an example of a book that had a very vivid, extremely violent rape scene that didn't ruin the book, but was actually necessary for the liberation of one the more interesting character in modern literature.
In this book, however, the rape scene only supports a patriarchy founded in rape culture. The man wasn't getting what he wanted (why didn't she appreciate all he had done for her, he wonders) so he rapes her (to show her that having sex with him is what she really wanted) and the result is she wakes up and realizes she loved him all along --- excuse me while I throw up in my mouth.
After that, everything the main character does is colored by this. He is selfish, self-righteous, and despicable. He thinks he is doing "what's best for society" without thinking through the consequences. When presented by a society not run by Uni, a society that is racist and corrupt, he still wants to bring down the system that protects people. When he learns about the programmers (another corrupt entity) he decides to violently overthrown them through murder.
The worst is I think the author missed the point. I kept looking for clues that the author realized Chip was wrong and was showing us that there is no good side of humanity. If the clues were there, I missed them. I really think the author thought Chip was a hero, and for me, that was the worst part of the book. Chip was not a hero. Wei was not a hero. The utter tragedy is that Uni actually was better at running society that people were.
Excellent dystopi - a bit dated, but that has it's own charm
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read this book as a teenager (1980's) and reread it several times. The last time must have been a long time ago, because when I listened to it this time (dec 2023), I was surprised by the events. Still a great book!!
The only part that shocked me in a negative way was the rape scene. It added nothing to the story. It says something about the time period when the book was written (and about the author). Luckily for a lot of women times are different.
The only part that shocked me in a negative way was the rape scene. It added nothing to the story. It says something about the time period when the book was written (and about the author). Luckily for a lot of women times are different.
I can’t believe I almost took this off my TBR. What a wild ride
This book was really quite enjoyable and I finished it in only 2 days. While it's very similar to 1984 it has way more action and it covers different ground in terms of the themes it explores. While I feel parts of the book are dated, especially areas dealing with technology, the majority of the book seemed well explained and nothing realky seemed unbelievable.
This book is difficult for me to rate. I really liked the premise and the writing was decent enough. However the main character was fairly unlikeable and definitely a Gary Stu
The book lost a lot of ground for me when Chip raped Lilac and there were zero consequences and even some victim blaming. The misogyny throughout the book bothered me.
The book lost a lot of ground for me when Chip raped Lilac and there were zero consequences and even some victim blaming. The misogyny throughout the book bothered me.
I've reread this one a couple of times. It's very pure science fiction. And the ending's a corker!