Reviews

The book is really trying hard to be uniquely futuristic. Coffee doesn’t need to be “coffeeum”. And I know they end up describing the differences, but that’s way too late in the book to not feel *irony intended* like they’re trying to be special snowflakes with the terminology
The descriptions of events are either very elementary (mostly dialogue with the bare minimum world descriptions and action) or incredibly unnecessarily scientific (talking about synapses firing to say it felt good)
This book does not need open door sex scenes. Especially when phrases like “boy nipple”, “they played with muscles and gravity”, and “his armpits smelled like clean sweat” are used.
Incredibly interesting topic. Really, what WOULD happen is people just started walking away from normalized society?
This book touches on, arguably too many, heavily debated and thought provoking topics. Just some of these topics include: economic class divide, distribution of wealth and resources, what it means to be human, and what defines a valuable life.
The lovability of the characters really sneaks up on you
There’s a huge difference in the interest between POVs

Notes: political conflict, runaways, uploaded consciousness,

foureyesflorez's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

mekahlia's review against another edition

Go to review page

Bookclub Book

erinflight's review

Go to review page

challenging hopeful reflective sad 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? No

5.0

It took me a bit to get into this one. Like Doctorow's last several books, it starts mostly as a rant disguised as fiction, with the characters talking to each other like internet monologues. But as it went on and characters fleshed out and the ideas behind the book were well enough established that it wasn't necessary for them to be constantly discussing their philosophy, I came to enjoy it quite a bit.