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rachel1216's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It was an ambling, heavy read, and although I am glad to have read it and heard and ultimately hopeful view of what the world could be, it was a long sad road to get there, and it makes me sad to think of our current systems.
luciddreams22's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
necchandler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
jamesarosen's review against another edition
2.0
Aidan's review says most of what I want to: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/106820648-aidan
Either the book didn't have an editor or KSR refused to listen to them. There are many times where a phrase gets repeated awkwardly in each of two or three subsequent paragraphs:
"They watched the wolverine family eat. It was a somewhat grisly business. The kits were playful in the usual style of youngsters."
and then in the next paragraph:
"Then these animals brought her back. The kits harassed their mom, played in the usual style of the young."
The anthropomorphized particle chapters read like the homework assignment of a sixth-grader who's really into science but has to write some poetry.
Who are the interviewer and interviewee we hear from a few times starting in chapter 17?
Why does the Janus Athena character exist? They contribute no ideas to the discussions.
Either the book didn't have an editor or KSR refused to listen to them. There are many times where a phrase gets repeated awkwardly in each of two or three subsequent paragraphs:
"They watched the wolverine family eat. It was a somewhat grisly business. The kits were playful in the usual style of youngsters."
and then in the next paragraph:
"Then these animals brought her back. The kits harassed their mom, played in the usual style of the young."
The anthropomorphized particle chapters read like the homework assignment of a sixth-grader who's really into science but has to write some poetry.
Who are the interviewer and interviewee we hear from a few times starting in chapter 17?
Why does the Janus Athena character exist? They contribute no ideas to the discussions.
minatakegami's review against another edition
The writing style was all over the place and it was really hard to get into the story
savaging's review against another edition
4.0
This is a hopeful, near-future book about how we can combat climate change. Which means the entire book hinges on the author's theory of change.
At least Robinson's theory is an all-tools-in-the-toolbox version, where most readers will be able to root for one strategy or another. There are bureaucrats; there are communards; there are assassins. There are even dull community groups of people scrupulously counting all the wattage they use up in a year. Sometimes I wept over depictions of solidarity. Sometimes I wanted to throw the book across a room.
All that being said, even skillful writing can't stop this from being didactic. Which is helpful if you're trying to didact yourself, but also sometimes a little frail. I think I recommend it.
At least Robinson's theory is an all-tools-in-the-toolbox version, where most readers will be able to root for one strategy or another. There are bureaucrats; there are communards; there are assassins. There are even dull community groups of people scrupulously counting all the wattage they use up in a year. Sometimes I wept over depictions of solidarity. Sometimes I wanted to throw the book across a room.
All that being said, even skillful writing can't stop this from being didactic. Which is helpful if you're trying to didact yourself, but also sometimes a little frail. I think I recommend it.
altoid's review against another edition
The pace is just too slow and I could see where it was going for the next 10 hours.
emryacton's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
cchapple's review against another edition
5.0
A world where climate change is taken seriously. Some interesting solutions. If you enjoy KSR's style, you'll enjoy this.