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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Amazing premise, and fascinating exploration of what changes within society when there is no more hope. Even though the story is ostensibly about a woman, though, the women gets sidelined in favour of an entirely unlikeable and irredeemable man (made even more unlikeable by the audiobook narrator).
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first part of the book (Omega) strongly echoes [b:The Martian Chronicles|76778|The Martian Chronicles|Ray Bradbury|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1338384826s/76778.jpg|4636013], but was better written than Bradbury's collection. It is also reminiscent of [b:Childhood's End|414999|Childhood's End|Arthur C. Clarke|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320552628s/414999.jpg|209414]. The characters and events are depressing, and each chapter reads like a complete short story, so I was not drawn forward as I am with James' mystery novels. But it was satisfying and beautifully crafted. In this part of the book James delivers good science fiction that addresses our time and place through allegory to other ones.
The second part of the book (Alpha) is a prosaic apocalyptic adventure story. It would have made a passable video game or cult film (think Mad Max), but for me detracted from the artistry of the first part.
The last chapter's blatant reference to the birth of Jesus was extremely weak. The second part of the book hadn't set it up well enough to be powerful and it felt like James delivering on an obligation rather than drawing a tight and mind-blowing circle.
I regret that I did not stop reading after Omega, and that P.D. James did not write more science fiction.
The second part of the book (Alpha) is a prosaic apocalyptic adventure story. It would have made a passable video game or cult film (think Mad Max), but for me detracted from the artistry of the first part.
Spoiler
The last chapter's blatant reference to the birth of Jesus was extremely weak. The second part of the book hadn't set it up well enough to be powerful and it felt like James delivering on an obligation rather than drawing a tight and mind-blowing circle.
I regret that I did not stop reading after Omega, and that P.D. James did not write more science fiction.
More terrifying to read now than the first time, several years ago. Especially because the main action takes place in less than two years. Yikes.
I read this book because I thought the movie seemed truncated and incomplete. After reading the book I realized they are NOTHING alike. The title and a baby are about the only things the book and the movie have in common. I liked the book a lot better, especially the ending.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not the biggest fan. It was decently written and a super interesting story but nothing drew me in from the book storytelling. I’d say maybe it’s a me thing so check it out!
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as I thought I might, given the recommendation from Reading Seals. The writing style is quite staid (perhaps that's a good word for it), and while I enjoyed that in the mystery novel, I found it a little plodding in this sci-fi story.
I enjoyed the underlying conceit very much, and found it both a realistic and terrifying dystopian world. The background work by James outlining the bureaucratic implications to a sudden and prolonged cessation of pregnancies was believable, and added to the foreboding.
However, things took a turn for the melodramatic that underwhelmed me somewhat,and muddied the final quarter. Still, worth an effort if you're into apocalyptic, end of the world novels...
However, things took a turn for the melodramatic that underwhelmed me somewhat,and muddied the final quarter. Still, worth an effort if you're into apocalyptic, end of the world novels...