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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Vastly compelling in theory, underwhelming in reality
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fascinating exploration of the power and endurance of love. How far can the depths of love be maintained when so tested by time and space.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Colonisation
Minor: Animal death, Racism, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
An interesting concept and a decent book but nothing particularly noteworthy. The writing is fine but not good enough to overcome a mediocre story.
It has been 2 days now since I finished The Book of Strange New Things. Coming at this from the POV of a person with faith in Jesus, and a large chunk of life spent working in a church, I was a bit anxious to see what Faber would do with a Christian lead character. I was immediately absorbed by this story and even now find it weaving in and out of my brain as so much tragedy unfolds on earth. Is there a planet out there with a USIC compound and the most gentle, fascinating, thoughtful city of aliens in brightly colored robes? And the kicker-what world would you choose? I have spoilery thoughts about Peter & his faith and what happens next, so I can't share them here, but I can't wait to beg people to read it so we can talk about it! Final thought-if you read this, you must read interviews with Michal Faber about this book, and about his wife. I feel that knowing about his life made this even more poignant.
I don't know what I was expecting when I started this book, but I guess it wasn't this! However, it was engaging throughout and really thought provoking. Usually I dislike epistolary novels, but I felt like the letters written made perfect sense within the whole of the narrative. Sometimes cringe worthy to the extent that characters could not read each other or had misunderstood the emotional charge of the other. Truly a thought provoking book about marriage and communication and aliens ;)
De nuevo con Faber, el libro no es ni lo que parece ni lo que yo quiero que sea. Otra vez me sorprende lo extremo de la propuesta y la forma tan "anticlimática" con la que decide moverla y resolverla, algo que me ha sido difícil de conjugar. Hay algunos aspectos que no me han gustado o no entendía su porqué en esta historia, pero salva el libro el sentimiento que hay en él. O esa es la sensación que me queda ahora nada más acabarlo, lo humano y emocionante que es.
The library I work at mistakenly labeled this book as Christian fiction. I was the one who ordered it and felt fairly certain that, while heavily rooted in Christian beliefs, this book was not Christian fiction and promptly had the catalogers change it to Sci Fi.
I stand by that change, but would love to know what a Christian reader would think of this story. I wasn't sure how much of a part Christianity would play (huge) and how much that might affect my ability to empathize with the characters (not at all). As a nonbeliever, I can assuredly say that this book is a deep exploration of humanity, much moreso than one of Christianity. And I loved it.
The world building is incredible - I can vividly picture Oasis, the USIC base, the Oasan's, the cafeteria, the whiteflowers. Peter's journey is believable, and his addictive background plays well into his obsessive behaviors.
The only thing I wanted more of was background on the other employees at the base and the role of USIC in the big picture of both life on earth and the development of alien communities. Those details are understandably absent or only given cursory attention, as this is a huge book that already covers massive territory, but I kept thinking more was coming. For instance, the scars evident on each employee Peter gets to know. The hinted at troubled backgrounds. Give me more!
Okay, the fact that I leave this book wishing I could spend more time in that world is probably advertisement enough. If you are a fan of space travel, anthropology, alien worlds and lifeforms, and curious about what compells most people to seek religion, read this book.
I stand by that change, but would love to know what a Christian reader would think of this story. I wasn't sure how much of a part Christianity would play (huge) and how much that might affect my ability to empathize with the characters (not at all). As a nonbeliever, I can assuredly say that this book is a deep exploration of humanity, much moreso than one of Christianity. And I loved it.
The world building is incredible - I can vividly picture Oasis, the USIC base, the Oasan's, the cafeteria, the whiteflowers. Peter's journey is believable, and his addictive background plays well into his obsessive behaviors.
The only thing I wanted more of was background on the other employees at the base and the role of USIC in the big picture of both life on earth and the development of alien communities. Those details are understandably absent or only given cursory attention, as this is a huge book that already covers massive territory, but I kept thinking more was coming. For instance, the scars evident on each employee Peter gets to know. The hinted at troubled backgrounds. Give me more!
Okay, the fact that I leave this book wishing I could spend more time in that world is probably advertisement enough. If you are a fan of space travel, anthropology, alien worlds and lifeforms, and curious about what compells most people to seek religion, read this book.
If you told me a year ago, I would read a book like this, and enjoy it, I would have called you crazy. This is not a normal read for me. Especially not the religious part, but I found myself interested none the less. So long story short, give it a chance.