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christajls's review against another edition
Have to mark this one DNF though it pains me to do so.
It's not that the writing isn't good - because it is. And the story is pretty interesting. But after reading almost half of the book I just can't get into it.
May have to try again at a later date.
It's not that the writing isn't good - because it is. And the story is pretty interesting. But after reading almost half of the book I just can't get into it.
May have to try again at a later date.
deeparcher's review against another edition
4.0
At first I thought this was a knockoff of Midnight's Children, but the more I read, it got deliciously weird.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
5.0
This book makes me happy. Just the fact that it exists gives me hope. There is so much mediocre, predictable and sloppy genre fiction out there, every time someone breaks out of that mold I want to cheer (Jeffrey Ford also does that to me).
I loved [b:Eutopia: A Novel of Terrible Optimism|9802336|Eutopia A Novel of Terrible Optimism|David Nickle|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1291672834s/9802336.jpg|14692540], and this one is just as wonderful, but quite different. It's one of those rare novels that doesn't fit neatly into any category. Yes, there are elements of horror and fantasy with a bit of the spy novel thrown in, but basically it's just a terrific novel - well written, original, interesting and immensely enjoyable.
I mean, what's not to love? There's bitchy baby Vladimir, scheming telepaths, puppet masters, sleeper agents, giant squids, a laboratory at the bottom of the ocean, a power hungry old Babushka, oddly lovable Morlocks... and it all comes together so well. In the hands of a lesser writer it could have turned into a whimsical mess, but Nickle takes his characters seriously and stays true to the story. The characters are neither good nor evil (though some may have darker motives than others) unlike the usual characterization in the horror genre. Nickle portrays everyone with understanding and empathy. Instead of doling out gruesome punishments to the villains, he offers them compassion and perhaps even redemption. Let's all stop to consider for a moment how rare that is. Ok? And the story? Well, it's sad and touching without being sentimental. And also very, very funny.
The ending is nicely put together and very satisfying, although I would have liked to know what becomes of the characters. Also I'm a little worried about the Morlocks. Will they be ok? Do they need looking after? Will they retire?
Now I just need to convince my friends with refined tastes to read this one so I'll have someone to discuss it with.
I loved [b:Eutopia: A Novel of Terrible Optimism|9802336|Eutopia A Novel of Terrible Optimism|David Nickle|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1291672834s/9802336.jpg|14692540], and this one is just as wonderful, but quite different. It's one of those rare novels that doesn't fit neatly into any category. Yes, there are elements of horror and fantasy with a bit of the spy novel thrown in, but basically it's just a terrific novel - well written, original, interesting and immensely enjoyable.
I mean, what's not to love? There's bitchy baby Vladimir, scheming telepaths, puppet masters, sleeper agents, giant squids, a laboratory at the bottom of the ocean, a power hungry old Babushka, oddly lovable Morlocks... and it all comes together so well. In the hands of a lesser writer it could have turned into a whimsical mess, but Nickle takes his characters seriously and stays true to the story. The characters are neither good nor evil (though some may have darker motives than others) unlike the usual characterization in the horror genre. Nickle portrays everyone with understanding and empathy. Instead of doling out gruesome punishments to the villains, he offers them compassion and perhaps even redemption. Let's all stop to consider for a moment how rare that is. Ok? And the story? Well, it's sad and touching without being sentimental. And also very, very funny.
The ending is nicely put together and very satisfying, although I would have liked to know what becomes of the characters. Also I'm a little worried about the Morlocks. Will they be ok? Do they need looking after? Will they retire?
Now I just need to convince my friends with refined tastes to read this one so I'll have someone to discuss it with.
skepticalri's review against another edition
4.0
Damn. Just damn.
Nickle has a lot going on in this book, with layers upon layers of reality and not reality, such that you should probably not do what I did and go a long period between chapters, if you want to grasp everything happening here. As it is, this novel is the sort that lends itself to re-reading because the second and subsequent readings will provide much more depth (and recollection of which character is which and the relationships among them) than the first go-round. But the result is worth the effort: Nickle weaves a fine story here that dips into everything from Cold War-era spying to the nature of reality itself. Or at least that's what I got from it -- I have a feeling that different readers will have different takeaways. Some will focus on matters of mind control, others the mystery and suspense, still others will meditate on the dangers of true believers, whether they believe in a deity, power, or simply the lining of their own pockets (or, heaven forbid, all three). And therein lies the brilliance of the book -- its complexity while nonetheless telling a fascinating tale that will capture readers attention and imagination.
Nickle has a lot going on in this book, with layers upon layers of reality and not reality, such that you should probably not do what I did and go a long period between chapters, if you want to grasp everything happening here. As it is, this novel is the sort that lends itself to re-reading because the second and subsequent readings will provide much more depth (and recollection of which character is which and the relationships among them) than the first go-round. But the result is worth the effort: Nickle weaves a fine story here that dips into everything from Cold War-era spying to the nature of reality itself. Or at least that's what I got from it -- I have a feeling that different readers will have different takeaways. Some will focus on matters of mind control, others the mystery and suspense, still others will meditate on the dangers of true believers, whether they believe in a deity, power, or simply the lining of their own pockets (or, heaven forbid, all three). And therein lies the brilliance of the book -- its complexity while nonetheless telling a fascinating tale that will capture readers attention and imagination.
tregina's review against another edition
3.0
This book was certainly well-structured, well-written and well-paced, and for fans of thrillers and cold war espionage with added speculative elements it will probably be just their thing, but it kept me at a distance and I never really connected with the characters. Good book, just not to my taste.
caitlinxmartin's review against another edition
5.0
I only recently discovered David Nickle through his short story in Best Horror of the Year (Vol. 4), edited by Ellen Datlow. The short story is called "Looker" and I'll have a lot more to say about it when I review the anthology, but at this point let me say that it was both beautifully written, utterly creepy, and made my skin crawl.
Rasputin's Bastards is something altogether different - an epic Cold War novel featuring former KGB agents - the remnants of a former Soviet program to develop psychic superwarriors that worked very well. The problem, of course, with psychic superwarriors is that they tend to act on their own volition - meaning they obey their masters when convenient and when inconvenient - not so much.
Once again Nickles writes beautifully. This is a novel full of complexities. No one really knows who anyone else is (and neither do you). The fluidity of the characters' ability to be within other bodies and other lives might have made this unreadable, but it's wonderful - fascinating, engrossing, and yes - it made my skin crawl.
While I suppose that Nickles might be considered a horror writer (after all, that story I talked about earlier was in a horror anthology), it seems more accurate to call him a writer of speculative fiction. He's got a wonderful mastery of "what if" and effortlessly juggles more objects at one time than most writers that I have read. Fittingly, his story works a lot like a matryoshka doll (a Russian nesting doll) with an infinite number of smaller dolls to be discovered within - each alike, but also different.
Rasputin's Bastards is a fever dream of a novel. It's something you must jump into and allow it to take along through the tides and currents. And sense? Don't depend too much on that. Rather depend on your senses, and on Mr. Nickles' ability to take you along on a journey you won't soon forget. Highly recommended.
Rasputin's Bastards is something altogether different - an epic Cold War novel featuring former KGB agents - the remnants of a former Soviet program to develop psychic superwarriors that worked very well. The problem, of course, with psychic superwarriors is that they tend to act on their own volition - meaning they obey their masters when convenient and when inconvenient - not so much.
Once again Nickles writes beautifully. This is a novel full of complexities. No one really knows who anyone else is (and neither do you). The fluidity of the characters' ability to be within other bodies and other lives might have made this unreadable, but it's wonderful - fascinating, engrossing, and yes - it made my skin crawl.
While I suppose that Nickles might be considered a horror writer (after all, that story I talked about earlier was in a horror anthology), it seems more accurate to call him a writer of speculative fiction. He's got a wonderful mastery of "what if" and effortlessly juggles more objects at one time than most writers that I have read. Fittingly, his story works a lot like a matryoshka doll (a Russian nesting doll) with an infinite number of smaller dolls to be discovered within - each alike, but also different.
Rasputin's Bastards is a fever dream of a novel. It's something you must jump into and allow it to take along through the tides and currents. And sense? Don't depend too much on that. Rather depend on your senses, and on Mr. Nickles' ability to take you along on a journey you won't soon forget. Highly recommended.
badnetworker's review against another edition
2.0
Some good concepts and a solid opening, but the writing quickly becomes repetitive the plot drags and stalls, and the supporting characters feel like caricatures.
tregina's review
3.0
This book was certainly well-structured, well-written and well-paced, and for fans of thrillers and cold war espionage with added speculative elements it will probably be just their thing, but it kept me at a distance and I never really connected with the characters. Good book, just not to my taste.
grendelsdj's review
2.0
meh.
I applaud the effort and original ideas here but I have to admit that I just wanted it to be over around the 2/3rd mark.
there was a certain amount of drag and complexity and several characters about whom I couldn't care less. I just felt no attachment to any part of it. still, interesting premise, and decent writing.
I applaud the effort and original ideas here but I have to admit that I just wanted it to be over around the 2/3rd mark.
there was a certain amount of drag and complexity and several characters about whom I couldn't care less. I just felt no attachment to any part of it. still, interesting premise, and decent writing.
tundragirl's review
3.0
This is a deeply weird book, and it might take me a while to decide if I liked it or not.
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