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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
This collection is so-so. I would only strongly recommend 'When Sysadmins Rules the World', which is one hell of an original sort of post-apocalyptic narrative, and 'I, Rowboat', in which Doctorow drags Asimov's old precepts forward into modern sci-fi and makes them feel fresh and insightful again.
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I remember picking this collection of short stories from up from the library in town when I was in high school. It was probably shortly after it was published.
I think one of these stories introduced me to the concept of the 3D printer. I remember it being such a strange and magical idea at the time.
I think there may also be a story of a person stuck in a VR game, much like the manga and anime Sword Art Online. But I don't remember very well.
I would consider picking it up and rereading it sometime.
I think one of these stories introduced me to the concept of the 3D printer. I remember it being such a strange and magical idea at the time.
I think there may also be a story of a person stuck in a VR game, much like the manga and anime Sword Art Online. But I don't remember very well.
I would consider picking it up and rereading it sometime.
I really enjoyed this collection of stories. I'm not a huge fan of sci-fi. Often, I find it overly technical and rather tedious reading. That was not the case here. Possibly the fact that they are all earthbound possibly near-future based stories helped with the relatability factor. Slightly reminiscent of Phillip K. Dick in tone and subject matter. It contains six short stories, all of which I enjoyed.
#1 PRINTCRIME- very short, only a couple of pages... but very enjoyable. reminds me of Naked Lunch a bit, the movie more than the book.
#2 WHEN SYSADMINS RULED THE EARTH- what happens when the only survivors of a worldwide biological pandemic are the system administrators working in the clean rooms? Excellent story!
#3 ANDA'S GAME- a short story predicting the now-real phenomenon of virtual sweatshops called goldfarmers. I loved it and look forward to reading his full length novel on the same subject called FOR THE WIN[b:For The Win|7241373|For The Win|Cory Doctorow|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1268422193s/7241373.jpg|7359191]
#4 I, ROBOT- very BLADERUNNER-esque! also, very good. I'd watch the movie if they made it.
#5 I, ROWBOAT- yes, sentient rowboats vs. sentient coral reefs. also, most humans have uploaded to the matrix but download themselves to vacant human shells for vacations. here's where some knowledge of Asimov would've come in handy. oh,well.
#6 AFTER THE SIEGE- my favorite in the book... zombies as the supporting background charaters. can't go wrong. this one too, would make a great movie! and an ending that doesn't disappoint. good stuff.
Thanks to my sister-in-law, Vickie, for sharing with me. I just saw that IDW Comics has put an adaptation of many of these stories with some very talented individuals, Paul Pope being the only one that pops into head right now.
#1 PRINTCRIME- very short, only a couple of pages... but very enjoyable. reminds me of Naked Lunch a bit, the movie more than the book.
#2 WHEN SYSADMINS RULED THE EARTH- what happens when the only survivors of a worldwide biological pandemic are the system administrators working in the clean rooms? Excellent story!
#3 ANDA'S GAME- a short story predicting the now-real phenomenon of virtual sweatshops called goldfarmers. I loved it and look forward to reading his full length novel on the same subject called FOR THE WIN[b:For The Win|7241373|For The Win|Cory Doctorow|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1268422193s/7241373.jpg|7359191]
#4 I, ROBOT- very BLADERUNNER-esque! also, very good. I'd watch the movie if they made it.
#5 I, ROWBOAT- yes, sentient rowboats vs. sentient coral reefs. also, most humans have uploaded to the matrix but download themselves to vacant human shells for vacations. here's where some knowledge of Asimov would've come in handy. oh,well.
#6 AFTER THE SIEGE- my favorite in the book... zombies as the supporting background charaters. can't go wrong. this one too, would make a great movie! and an ending that doesn't disappoint. good stuff.
Thanks to my sister-in-law, Vickie, for sharing with me. I just saw that IDW Comics has put an adaptation of many of these stories with some very talented individuals, Paul Pope being the only one that pops into head right now.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
SF short stories with a unifying theme of computer culture - gamers, sysadmins, and others. A talented writer with a great ear for dialogue and a knack for gritty plotting and memorable characters.