Scan barcode
ariel1524's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
inkdrinker6259's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
ajmcwhinney's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent set of 4 allegorical short stories tackling the political/cultural zeitgeist of our time, whether it be struggles against police brutality, big tech and capitalism, doomsdayism, or online radicalization.
Some have complained that the characters in these books are not fleshed out enough to tackle the issues that Doctorow does, but I strongly disagree. In fact, I think the allegorical nature of the stories helps us stand back a little bit from getting TOO bogged down in analysis that may end up paralyzing us into inaction. This is a great set of stories that serve as entry points into these issues and, to their credit, are very in-tune with a lot of the contemporary discourse surrounding these issues (internet culture and the twittersphere, and so on).
Will these stories teach you about the systemic workings of late capitalism, white supremacy, and surveillance ideology? Not really. But they will get you looking perhaps more deeply into your own awareness of these systems and how they relate to our moment.
Is there's anything this book is right about, it's the tagline "dystopia is now."
Some have complained that the characters in these books are not fleshed out enough to tackle the issues that Doctorow does, but I strongly disagree. In fact, I think the allegorical nature of the stories helps us stand back a little bit from getting TOO bogged down in analysis that may end up paralyzing us into inaction. This is a great set of stories that serve as entry points into these issues and, to their credit, are very in-tune with a lot of the contemporary discourse surrounding these issues (internet culture and the twittersphere, and so on).
Will these stories teach you about the systemic workings of late capitalism, white supremacy, and surveillance ideology? Not really. But they will get you looking perhaps more deeply into your own awareness of these systems and how they relate to our moment.
Is there's anything this book is right about, it's the tagline "dystopia is now."
clonereader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
sophiestasyna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mark_c_da's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
evaosterlee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rashmijha's review against another edition
5.0
Unauthorized bread: 5 stars
American Eagle: 4 stars
Radicalized: 4.5 stars
The Masque of the Red Death: 4.5 stars
American Eagle: 4 stars
Radicalized: 4.5 stars
The Masque of the Red Death: 4.5 stars
aische24's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
satanbby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75