Reviews

I can see why this novel is so important to the genre, but I can also see why so many modern readers find it slow or even tedious. It is slow. This novel takes place over more than a hundred years (if my math is right) and is really more like four short stories laid end-to-end, so it is a bit of a slow burn setting things up. That and the fact that there is very little action (purposefully--the rallying cries of the protagonists are akin to 'wait' and 'don't fight' throughout the story.

I like the sweeping, galaxy-spanning narrative. I like the premise that we become slaves to our technology and that it is at our EXTREME peril that we rely on it without understanding it. The characters are alright, some better than others. The writing is a product of its time (complete with a nearly universal lack of female characters).

This book is worth the read for all of those reasons and probably more that I am not thinking of right now.

pdonovan's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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