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geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
Why do some cities seem to be more resilient than others? Is there a pattern to the chaos that can be used to divert events?
A grad student is asked to join an ex-professor in complexity theory. These theories may just be necessary to save New York City. By doing things like moving newspaper boxes, or buying out an ice cream truck, there may be a way to control events, or at least lessen them. The student is drawn in further and further, and as events seem to spiral out of control, doubts are raised, while the very life of the city is at stake.
A compelling and interesting read with great art by Greg Scott and a gripping narrative by Charles Soule.
A grad student is asked to join an ex-professor in complexity theory. These theories may just be necessary to save New York City. By doing things like moving newspaper boxes, or buying out an ice cream truck, there may be a way to control events, or at least lessen them. The student is drawn in further and further, and as events seem to spiral out of control, doubts are raised, while the very life of the city is at stake.
A compelling and interesting read with great art by Greg Scott and a gripping narrative by Charles Soule.
albertico66's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing story - a definite must-read for Soule's fans and NYC residents.
lukeisthename34's review
5.0
What a terrific concept for a story. While I admit to being a bit lost by the 'math' behind the ideas, the overall concept was fascinating. I especially enjoyed the followup chapter at the very end. Perfect.
sherpawhale's review
4.0
Knocked a star off because I could guess a couple of the beats before they happened (not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but a few of them were cliché) and because I never really got a sense of the impending doom.
Otherwise, great story, great idea. I often find myself thinking about how one single, insignificant thing can affect our daily lives, so this book really hit my sweet spot.
Also, Charles Soule signed this, "Stay complicated Kelsey," after I told him I would try to contain my disappointment that SA wasn't his Swamp Thing. So there's that.
Otherwise, great story, great idea. I often find myself thinking about how one single, insignificant thing can affect our daily lives, so this book really hit my sweet spot.
Also, Charles Soule signed this, "Stay complicated Kelsey," after I told him I would try to contain my disappointment that SA wasn't his Swamp Thing. So there's that.
jmanchester0's review against another edition
5.0
So beautiful!
And such a fascinating story!
I loved the art - especially how it applies to math. Or how math applied to it?
Math is beauty.
Math is art.
Check this one out!
And such a fascinating story!
I loved the art - especially how it applies to math. Or how math applied to it?
Math is beauty.
Math is art.
Check this one out!
unsquare's review against another edition
4.0
Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Net Galley.
In Strange Attractors, Heller Wilson is a grad student studying complexity theory, a branch of mathematics devoted to the study of complex systems. He’s a career-minded guy, and is currently working on a thesis topic suggested by his advisor and designed specifically to get him hired at a high-paying job after graduation. Problem is, he’s struggling with the topic – comparing the resiliency of New York City after 9/11 to the struggles of New Orleans after Katrina – so he decides to track down a former Columbia professor who wrote about similar subject decades ago.
Wilson soon discovers that the professor, Spencer Brownfield, is a bit of an eccentric. Among other things, Brownfield explains that he eats exactly 1700 calories a day – no more, no less – and closes their meeting by releasing a rat into a crowded restaurant. However, Wilson is desperate for help with his thesis, so he persists and manages to talk Brownfield into giving him access to his research in exchange for helping with a few “projects”.
When Wilson shows up to help with those projects, Brownfield sends him off on a number of apparently random tasks without any explanation. Wilson cooperates gamely for a while, but when he eventually gets fed up and decides to quit, Brownfield surprises him by demonstrating what those seemingly random tasks can achieve when done in concert. It turns out that Brownfield is (he claims) using his theories to “adjust” events in New York City in subtle ways, continually working against the ever-increasing flow of chaos and darkness in the city. Brownfield explains that the reason New York City is so resilient is because he is working to keep it that way. Wilson is drawn back in, and soon becomes obsessed with Brownfield’s theories.
Strange Attractors is one of those stories that exists just on the edge of science fiction. Although the idea of using mathematical theories to control events in a city seems fanciful at first blush, upon consideration it feels like the sort of thing that might not be outside the realm of possibility. History caught up with William Gibson, after all. Accordingly, the book is simultaneously both grounded and magical, and the resulting mix is extremely appealing.
In some ways the premise reminded me a bit of the basic concepts of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, but here the idea of controlling future outcomes is real-time, personal and entirely specific to the city of New York. Brownfield considers himself NYC’s caretaker, and Wilson eventually admits to himself that he also feels a strong enough connection to the city that he wants to protect it. The author and artist clearly share that love of the city, and their devotion is part of what makes this story feel unique.
I also loved the art, which is gorgeously drawn and full of color. Whenever Brownfield or Wilson visualize possible outcomes, they are shown as a series of interlocking colored lines bouncing between people or objects. This conceit helps make Brownfield’s theories feel concrete, like something hidden in plain sight if you only know how to look. Also, color is used to signify the current state of the city – red for chaos, blue for stability – and the growing presence of redness helps to build tension throughout as Brownfield and Wilson work to save New York from impending cataclysm.
Strange Attractors is a standalone novel, but is also available in individual chapters online from Comixology. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and will definitely be checking out other work by the same author. Recommended.
In Strange Attractors, Heller Wilson is a grad student studying complexity theory, a branch of mathematics devoted to the study of complex systems. He’s a career-minded guy, and is currently working on a thesis topic suggested by his advisor and designed specifically to get him hired at a high-paying job after graduation. Problem is, he’s struggling with the topic – comparing the resiliency of New York City after 9/11 to the struggles of New Orleans after Katrina – so he decides to track down a former Columbia professor who wrote about similar subject decades ago.
Wilson soon discovers that the professor, Spencer Brownfield, is a bit of an eccentric. Among other things, Brownfield explains that he eats exactly 1700 calories a day – no more, no less – and closes their meeting by releasing a rat into a crowded restaurant. However, Wilson is desperate for help with his thesis, so he persists and manages to talk Brownfield into giving him access to his research in exchange for helping with a few “projects”.
When Wilson shows up to help with those projects, Brownfield sends him off on a number of apparently random tasks without any explanation. Wilson cooperates gamely for a while, but when he eventually gets fed up and decides to quit, Brownfield surprises him by demonstrating what those seemingly random tasks can achieve when done in concert. It turns out that Brownfield is (he claims) using his theories to “adjust” events in New York City in subtle ways, continually working against the ever-increasing flow of chaos and darkness in the city. Brownfield explains that the reason New York City is so resilient is because he is working to keep it that way. Wilson is drawn back in, and soon becomes obsessed with Brownfield’s theories.
Strange Attractors is one of those stories that exists just on the edge of science fiction. Although the idea of using mathematical theories to control events in a city seems fanciful at first blush, upon consideration it feels like the sort of thing that might not be outside the realm of possibility. History caught up with William Gibson, after all. Accordingly, the book is simultaneously both grounded and magical, and the resulting mix is extremely appealing.
In some ways the premise reminded me a bit of the basic concepts of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, but here the idea of controlling future outcomes is real-time, personal and entirely specific to the city of New York. Brownfield considers himself NYC’s caretaker, and Wilson eventually admits to himself that he also feels a strong enough connection to the city that he wants to protect it. The author and artist clearly share that love of the city, and their devotion is part of what makes this story feel unique.
I also loved the art, which is gorgeously drawn and full of color. Whenever Brownfield or Wilson visualize possible outcomes, they are shown as a series of interlocking colored lines bouncing between people or objects. This conceit helps make Brownfield’s theories feel concrete, like something hidden in plain sight if you only know how to look. Also, color is used to signify the current state of the city – red for chaos, blue for stability – and the growing presence of redness helps to build tension throughout as Brownfield and Wilson work to save New York from impending cataclysm.
Strange Attractors is a standalone novel, but is also available in individual chapters online from Comixology. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and will definitely be checking out other work by the same author. Recommended.
toastx2's review against another edition
4.0
Would you risk your entire career for the chance to save a city? If the only proof you have that your efforts will have impact is the rantings of an old man, seemingly coherent, and 35 years out of work?
In ‘Strange Attractors’, this is the situation faced by undergraduate Heller Wilson when he bases his thesis on 35 year old theories by Dr Spencer Brown. Reclusive Brown is a self proclaimed custodian of New York City, making minor and major adjustments to keep the big apple from decaying and imploding. Brown tutors and molds Wilson in his forte “Complexity Math” and it’s use in mapping the health of the city as it teeters on the edge of destruction.
Clocking in at 144 pages, the plot was enjoyable and adequate. Though it felt a little rushed at points, the graphic novel was ultimately satisfying. Taking math from Pi, juvenile pranks from Fight Club, and the obvious Butterfly Effect references, Strange Attractors kept me motivated to finish reading, though it took a few pages to initially grab me. The authors could have opted to leave the bow off the wrapped up package plot, it may have helped add weight by allowing this to hint at a continued story line, instead, tied with a nice bow.
Artwork was not a problem here, with vivid colors reserved for certain scenes and muted tones prevailing. Hard crisp lines appearing throughout many pages were stunning, and those that were not were industry par with solid details and clean presentation to compensate.
Review based on an ARC
-- FNORDinc
http://fnordinc.com/2013/03-13/review-strange-attractors-soulescott/
In ‘Strange Attractors’, this is the situation faced by undergraduate Heller Wilson when he bases his thesis on 35 year old theories by Dr Spencer Brown. Reclusive Brown is a self proclaimed custodian of New York City, making minor and major adjustments to keep the big apple from decaying and imploding. Brown tutors and molds Wilson in his forte “Complexity Math” and it’s use in mapping the health of the city as it teeters on the edge of destruction.
Clocking in at 144 pages, the plot was enjoyable and adequate. Though it felt a little rushed at points, the graphic novel was ultimately satisfying. Taking math from Pi, juvenile pranks from Fight Club, and the obvious Butterfly Effect references, Strange Attractors kept me motivated to finish reading, though it took a few pages to initially grab me. The authors could have opted to leave the bow off the wrapped up package plot, it may have helped add weight by allowing this to hint at a continued story line, instead, tied with a nice bow.
Artwork was not a problem here, with vivid colors reserved for certain scenes and muted tones prevailing. Hard crisp lines appearing throughout many pages were stunning, and those that were not were industry par with solid details and clean presentation to compensate.
Review based on an ARC
-- FNORDinc
http://fnordinc.com/2013/03-13/review-strange-attractors-soulescott/
wizzardofxxxx's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this graphic novel, even though I’m no mathematician and have never heard of “complexity theory” (though I have heard about chaos theory!)
The world created by the author is one where the greatest city in the world is constantly teetering on the brink of disaster and only an old math professor knows how to fix it – by doing things like putting ice cream cones on the lawn of central park and moving news stands around so that nothing is ever in the same place.
The story was entirely plausible; after all didn’t a stats guy pretty much predict how the last US presidential election went down months before we even knew who was going to get the Republican nomination? The book really made is seem like humanity is not a special snowflake, we’re an equation and if someone is smart enough to crack it they’ve got us figured out as a science. You can then use this science for good or evil, or to save New York City from itself.
The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the artwork. I found it used way too many shadows and dark lines to be enjoyable, but then again I hated the artwork from [b:The Watchmen|828695|The Watchmen|John Altman|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309206916s/828695.jpg|24695] so it’s probably just me.
*Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this graphic novel from netGalley*
The world created by the author is one where the greatest city in the world is constantly teetering on the brink of disaster and only an old math professor knows how to fix it – by doing things like putting ice cream cones on the lawn of central park and moving news stands around so that nothing is ever in the same place.
The story was entirely plausible; after all didn’t a stats guy pretty much predict how the last US presidential election went down months before we even knew who was going to get the Republican nomination? The book really made is seem like humanity is not a special snowflake, we’re an equation and if someone is smart enough to crack it they’ve got us figured out as a science. You can then use this science for good or evil, or to save New York City from itself.
The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the artwork. I found it used way too many shadows and dark lines to be enjoyable, but then again I hated the artwork from [b:The Watchmen|828695|The Watchmen|John Altman|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309206916s/828695.jpg|24695] so it’s probably just me.
*Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this graphic novel from netGalley*
atperez's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 4.5
This is Sci-fi done right, for any medium -though it's probably best it was done as a graphic novel. Dr. Brownfield has one goal in life: to use math to save New York City from itself. Every day a large number of acts are carried out and most people would assume they are random or insignificant but Dr. Brownfield knows better on both counts. He spends 30 years of his life making small adjustments all over the city in an effort to right small wrongs or prevent them entirely but being an older man, he knows his time is limited. Enter Heller, the PhD student who seeks out Brownfield for help on his thesis, only to be dragged into the business of saving the city, one random-seeming act a time.
The maps were wonderfully done (as was the rest of the art and coloring), the storyline compelling and unique, and the characters likable. Highly recommended.
This is Sci-fi done right, for any medium -though it's probably best it was done as a graphic novel. Dr. Brownfield has one goal in life: to use math to save New York City from itself. Every day a large number of acts are carried out and most people would assume they are random or insignificant but Dr. Brownfield knows better on both counts. He spends 30 years of his life making small adjustments all over the city in an effort to right small wrongs or prevent them entirely but being an older man, he knows his time is limited. Enter Heller, the PhD student who seeks out Brownfield for help on his thesis, only to be dragged into the business of saving the city, one random-seeming act a time.
The maps were wonderfully done (as was the rest of the art and coloring), the storyline compelling and unique, and the characters likable. Highly recommended.
dav's review
3.0
Neat concept, and decent exploration of it, but it could have been better written. A Neal Stephenson version would have been way better. I liked the complexity notebook illustrations and the fold out page effect.
Related: I don't get people who somehow think NYC is the only city with layers and complexity. It's roll-your-eyes myopic. Tokyo makes NYC look like a cow town. Sao Paulo or some city in China could well have more complexity. How would someone who's only lived in one place for "almost sixteen years" be qualified to make worldwide judgements?
Related: I don't get people who somehow think NYC is the only city with layers and complexity. It's roll-your-eyes myopic. Tokyo makes NYC look like a cow town. Sao Paulo or some city in China could well have more complexity. How would someone who's only lived in one place for "almost sixteen years" be qualified to make worldwide judgements?
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