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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Not even sure how to describe this book but it’s amazing. Though it takes a little bit to get used to the narration style, the story is complex, layered, and characters are very interesting. If you like stories set in the future that make you think deeply about how society impacts the lives of individuals as well as groups, this book is a must-read. I am so excited to read the sequel!
What. the. hell. did. I. just. read.
Couldn't put it down. Considered going back to the first chapter to read it again when I finished.
Couldn't put it down. Considered going back to the first chapter to read it again when I finished.
I actually had to start over the audio book about an hour in, because the language took my (non-native speaker) ears so much getting used to, I felt I wasn't following the story anymore.
I'm glad I did however, because the world Ada Palmer describes is fascinating and the characters are not without surprises.
Already bought the next book in the series.
I'm glad I did however, because the world Ada Palmer describes is fascinating and the characters are not without surprises.
Already bought the next book in the series.
There probably is a good book lurking inside of this novel, but I couldn't find it. Clearly, based on the Goodreads rating and the fact it is nominated for the Hugo Award, many people find it to be a compelling book; I did not. I had to force myself to slog through to the end.
Palmer obviously spent a lot of time thinking about how to build this future utopia. My problem, I think, is that she spent too much time describing the minute details of the politics and religion (or lack thereof) of this society at the expense of an interesting plot and characters. I honestly had a hard time telling the characters apart or what their relationships were to each other. Add that the narrator seemed unreliable, and you get what I thought was a boring book.
The final nail in the coffin for me: we learn on the last page that this is only the first volume of a single book that is divided into two volumes, i.e., there is no resolution.
Palmer obviously spent a lot of time thinking about how to build this future utopia. My problem, I think, is that she spent too much time describing the minute details of the politics and religion (or lack thereof) of this society at the expense of an interesting plot and characters. I honestly had a hard time telling the characters apart or what their relationships were to each other. Add that the narrator seemed unreliable, and you get what I thought was a boring book.
The final nail in the coffin for me: we learn on the last page that this is only the first volume of a single book that is divided into two volumes, i.e., there is no resolution.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
Yes
Truth is water in a sieve. It’s not enough to put your hand across the holes and hope.
A very ambitious entry into a series, one that for me pays off. This book is very unique; the structure, narration, characters and even plot is unconventional, daring.
Ada palmer’s writing style is slyly addictive, her characters are shrouded in mystery, motivations unknown, the very essence of the book is unreliable. She manages to make her world rich and different. Something that is not so common these days.
I loved following everything from Mycroft, he was always more to the eye to me,
Overall this book definitely gave me more than enough to continue, the ending was great too, excited to continue!
2.5 stars. A big DNF for me. First the pluses: I LOVE the conceit of reading a history book of the future, and the audiobook narrator did a great job on the this book.
And now the rest...
I found the physical descriptions of most of the characters to be othering and off putting. Describing multiracial people by chopping them into their parts. African hair, Indonesian eyes, etc. And this is for EVERY character that gets a physical description.
The culture/future is very much a sort of utopia as imagined by white europeans in the 18th century. Nothing is left to the reader to intuit. If Voltaire is mentioned, three paragraphs of history about Voltaire follow. I wouldn't be surprised if the book gave equal time to 18th century explanations as to the story.
I also found the main character anachronistic. Using words with morals attached (like calling things perverted), casual sexism, and the big reveal of being a murderous, rapist, cannibal. Which felt like a cheap shot.
I wish this book were different. Not for me, and not a sci-fi book either.
And now the rest...
I found the physical descriptions of most of the characters to be othering and off putting. Describing multiracial people by chopping them into their parts. African hair, Indonesian eyes, etc. And this is for EVERY character that gets a physical description.
The culture/future is very much a sort of utopia as imagined by white europeans in the 18th century. Nothing is left to the reader to intuit. If Voltaire is mentioned, three paragraphs of history about Voltaire follow. I wouldn't be surprised if the book gave equal time to 18th century explanations as to the story.
I also found the main character anachronistic. Using words with morals attached (like calling things perverted), casual sexism, and the big reveal of being a murderous, rapist, cannibal. Which felt like a cheap shot.
I wish this book were different. Not for me, and not a sci-fi book either.
[More like 2.5, but the ending dragged so much that I can’t give it a 3.]
I think my feelings about this book are very similar to what I felt about “Perdido Street Station” – there were some neat ideas in it, but it drowned too much in the odd affectations of its narrator.
I still haven’t figured out what the author was trying to do with or say about gender. I understood that it wasn’t used anymore in Mycroft’s current time... except sometimes they slipped and *did* use gender in conversation to the bafflement of the other person listening to them. But why apply genders for the benefit of a future society? (My only guess here is that the catastrophe that Mycroft is chronicling here ends with a reversion.) And why not be consistent with how they’re applied? If gender roles are archaic, why deliberately label a biologically female character in one place as “male” so the reader will correctly attribute the characteristics you want to them (power, even standing with other males), but then in a different section a biologically male character is described as “female” so that you will understand that they are... powerful in their own way? If you have to spend the entire next paragraph explaining why you picked the gender you did, I feel like you’re doing something wrong. The ”Imperial Radch” books did a much better job of exploring this concept.
The 18th century obsession? I... didn’t get it.
The importance of the SevenTen list, despite it being a core part of the book, was also something I didn’t ever really understand.
And the sexposition, to borrow the “Game of Thrones” term... XD
I felt like there was very little romance or sexual tension in much of the book, and then suddenly two or more characters would start going at it pretty much out of nowhere. The narrator makes a big point of making sure the retelling is very 18th century-style (and telling you that it’s very 18th century-style), so they’re having some important conversation but every once in a while you have to be reminded that yes, they are definitely still having sex. It was almost like Mycroft was trying to convey that their society was not prudish... but their brothel is off the grid and hidden and taboo?
So many things didn’t fit together and felt like contradictions to me, but instead of feeling like it was an “unreliable narrator” situation, I just spent a lot of the book being confused.
I think my feelings about this book are very similar to what I felt about “Perdido Street Station” – there were some neat ideas in it, but it drowned too much in the odd affectations of its narrator.
I still haven’t figured out what the author was trying to do with or say about gender. I understood that it wasn’t used anymore in Mycroft’s current time... except sometimes they slipped and *did* use gender in conversation to the bafflement of the other person listening to them. But why apply genders for the benefit of a future society? (My only guess here is that the catastrophe that Mycroft is chronicling here ends with a reversion.) And why not be consistent with how they’re applied? If gender roles are archaic, why deliberately label a biologically female character in one place as “male” so the reader will correctly attribute the characteristics you want to them (power, even standing with other males), but then in a different section a biologically male character is described as “female” so that you will understand that they are... powerful in their own way? If you have to spend the entire next paragraph explaining why you picked the gender you did, I feel like you’re doing something wrong. The ”Imperial Radch” books did a much better job of exploring this concept.
The 18th century obsession? I... didn’t get it.
The importance of the SevenTen list, despite it being a core part of the book, was also something I didn’t ever really understand.
And the sexposition, to borrow the “Game of Thrones” term... XD
I felt like there was very little romance or sexual tension in much of the book, and then suddenly two or more characters would start going at it pretty much out of nowhere. The narrator makes a big point of making sure the retelling is very 18th century-style (and telling you that it’s very 18th century-style), so they’re having some important conversation but every once in a while you have to be reminded that yes, they are definitely still having sex. It was almost like Mycroft was trying to convey that their society was not prudish... but their brothel is off the grid and hidden and taboo?
So many things didn’t fit together and felt like contradictions to me, but instead of feeling like it was an “unreliable narrator” situation, I just spent a lot of the book being confused.
Pretends it’s about religion in general, is actually about Christianity. 😒
This one is going to be a classic, like Dune, but better. I loved the neo-Enlightenment conceit, and found the work as a whole intensely thought-provoking.
I advise this book with caution, though. There was so much sex in this novel, or maybe it seemed that way because I'm a prude. It wasn't explicit (mostly), but that almost made it more noticeable. I haven't decided if it's gratuitous or not-- my instinct is that there's a purpose for it, but I'm still thinking about the various themes of this novel and haven't really decided. So be advised, and pay attention to the author's helpful rating at the front of the novel.
I advise this book with caution, though. There was so much sex in this novel, or maybe it seemed that way because I'm a prude. It wasn't explicit (mostly), but that almost made it more noticeable. I haven't decided if it's gratuitous or not-- my instinct is that there's a purpose for it, but I'm still thinking about the various themes of this novel and haven't really decided. So be advised, and pay attention to the author's helpful rating at the front of the novel.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes