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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
This book was very difficult to get in to. The first person narrative is so deadpan at the beginning. Eventually the narrative loosens up a bit as you get to the narrator, Inez, more intimately and follow her through her tribulations. It actually ends up really pulling you in and I wished I could keep following her in this almost too real and entirely possible, pandemic-riddled future. It was interesting to see a character deal with not only a peril filled environment but with things that we concern ourselves with everyday: terrible public transport, finding work, how to be a good parent, and how to find ourselves. I think the author also made some interesting points about the future of conception especially with what we consider to be unconventional methods: IVF, cloning, etc.
I made it about half way but I'm giving up. The concept is really interesting, but it's just moving way too slow for me. I feel like I've been slogging thru this book forever.
It's about 3.5 stars. I really liked this book but the first fourth to maybe third of the book is tough to read. The main characters style of speech and level of understanding of what's happening around her make it hard for you to suss out what's happening. After that though it really picks up and I blew through the rest of the book.
This was like a stream of consciousness written in pigeon English. It was exceptionally hard for me to get through. Not sparking my interest at all. Major dud.
Unique voice, haunting story taking place in a familiar dystopia only a few years in our future. I couldn't put this one down for the first half. It lost me slightly as Ani became a teenager but it finished strong and ultimately was incredibly well done. Poses a lot of questions about what motherhood means and how we think about life and personhood, especially in times of crises.
The Only Ones is your average mother-daugther story, except the setting is a post-apocalyptic wasteland ravaged by disease and the daughter is a clone. I know you're thinking, thanks for the spoiler, but these details are all established very early in the story. I'm not giving too much away here.
Surprisingly, what works best about this story is the mind of the mother. She's a little slow at times. She's also extremely repetitive (“I will tell you this,” “maybe you are thinking,” “I don't even have to,” “I just,” “I must of,” “it's all I can...”, etc, etc.); it's neverending. Aside from her quirks, Inez is in many ways a typical mother with typical worries who has a way of earning the reader's sympathies. If she were someone you met in your daily life, you'd likely find her irritating or far from interesting, but given a window into her mind, she becomes your very own mother, the good and the bad. It is this universal mother that shapes this story and gives it all of its strengths. Sure there are raiders and philosophical questions about life and pages full of scientific explanation, as there are many intense moments, yet at its heart, The Only Ones is a story of a mother's heart. It's as simple as that.
Surprisingly, what works best about this story is the mind of the mother. She's a little slow at times. She's also extremely repetitive (“I will tell you this,” “maybe you are thinking,” “I don't even have to,” “I just,” “I must of,” “it's all I can...”, etc, etc.); it's neverending. Aside from her quirks, Inez is in many ways a typical mother with typical worries who has a way of earning the reader's sympathies. If she were someone you met in your daily life, you'd likely find her irritating or far from interesting, but given a window into her mind, she becomes your very own mother, the good and the bad. It is this universal mother that shapes this story and gives it all of its strengths. Sure there are raiders and philosophical questions about life and pages full of scientific explanation, as there are many intense moments, yet at its heart, The Only Ones is a story of a mother's heart. It's as simple as that.
Carola Dibbell wrote a fascinating novel about a glum future where pandemic disease has devastated the human race, and fertility is compromised for so many. The main character, Inez, or "I", offers a unique voice and a perspective I haven't read before. I really enjoyed this book. "I" has somehow developed resistance or immunity to the pathogens and viruses plaguing the world. While there is some interesting description of the science of IVF and an interesting look at politics, ethics, and the remnants of the Internet, or what she calls "boards", I think the most gripping part of this tale is what a parent will suffer to provide for their child. This could have been a story about an immigrant trying to make a better life and trying to navigate a new strange place and culture, if the scifi aspects of the story weren't included. "I" was a character who taught me something about a persons limits, and for that I'm grateful. I also think it hilarious that in this world, with millions that have been infected, a bureaucracy still exists. Even the plague can't kill bureaucracy. That part ain't fiction.
more like a 3.5-4.5 star.
From what i gathered this book looks at what the future could be like if we stop immunization/vaccination. hot topic issue currently for sure and Dibbell makes that future look dim.
Enjoy your bubbles.
From what i gathered this book looks at what the future could be like if we stop immunization/vaccination. hot topic issue currently for sure and Dibbell makes that future look dim.
Enjoy your bubbles.
Very interesting take on your post pandemic alternative birthing mother daughter type of relationship. This book is definitely an interesting read with quite a bit of good science jargon but for me the real winner here is the way the narrative is written. It’s unique, heartfelt, and complex. However for me the story falls a bit flat overall and the ending really needed a bit more as it felt rushed. It’s gonna be 3/5 from me. I do recommend if you’re a sci-fi fan and or if you are interested in an alternative birthing story. I’m pretty excited to discuss this one at @twodollarradiohq @twodollarradio Feminist sci-fi Book Club later on this month!