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mikekem's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
perfectcupoftea's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
books4biana's review against another edition
2.0
This is the second time I read this book and I remember it being so much better.
Of course there are issues of the time. This is supposed to be written in a future or alternate universe with so much being the same but not everything. And it didn't translate well over the years. I admit, the future that many of us saw in the 80s is nothing like the future that is.
For my part, I didn't like the detail on things that didn't matter. And when How The World Works is being described, I end up more confused. There is this part where Death must pass tests to get to the other side and the detail that was described in these tests were sooo boring. And then when the test is described to him, it's double boring. Cut the explanation in half? Let the reader's imagination fill in some blanks?
Additionally, it's hard to look back at what was pretty much mainstream 80s and see the rampant sexism. It was common place because we didn't really get the equality thing. Women CAN do anything, as long as her father and husband agree.
Ugh.
Of course there are issues of the time. This is supposed to be written in a future or alternate universe with so much being the same but not everything. And it didn't translate well over the years. I admit, the future that many of us saw in the 80s is nothing like the future that is.
For my part, I didn't like the detail on things that didn't matter. And when How The World Works is being described, I end up more confused. There is this part where Death must pass tests to get to the other side and the detail that was described in these tests were sooo boring. And then when the test is described to him, it's double boring. Cut the explanation in half? Let the reader's imagination fill in some blanks?
Additionally, it's hard to look back at what was pretty much mainstream 80s and see the rampant sexism. It was common place because we didn't really get the equality thing. Women CAN do anything, as long as her father and husband agree.
Ugh.
jsef77's review against another edition
3.0
Good but low-key very sexist (not as bad as the Xanth series)
candaceross321's review against another edition
4.0
Keeping in mind the context that this book is forty years old I loved it. There are certainly some cringey moments, and the women could use some work. But it is humorous and clever so I’m willing to overlook outdated social norms from the time of publication.
bonzaklibo's review against another edition
2.0
This is more of a philosophy book than a sci-fi, and I usually like my sci-fi philosophical. The issue is there's not much else there outside of the interesting premise.
gloame's review against another edition
1.0
Hated this book so fkng much. Struggled to ~50 pages from the end and could just Take No More. Sexist and preachy and the main character was annoyingly whiny and dull.
schwarmgiven's review against another edition
4.0
This book is absolutely fantastic--I am curious if other writers using the same conceits have commented on this. I would consider it pretty much required reading for SciFi / Fantasy fans.
This is one of those books where the idea is brilliant and he plays it out over and over and over again to the point where each repetition is breaking important new creative ground. Also, like other Genre books that create Genre's a lot of what he is doing here seems easy but is really amazing when you consider that he created it.
I really liked the last chapter that included a lot of Mr Anthony's writing practice and fun observations.
This is one of those books where the idea is brilliant and he plays it out over and over and over again to the point where each repetition is breaking important new creative ground. Also, like other Genre books that create Genre's a lot of what he is doing here seems easy but is really amazing when you consider that he created it.
I really liked the last chapter that included a lot of Mr Anthony's writing practice and fun observations.
beehaven's review against another edition
1.0
A misogynistic slog of a read and a disservice to the fantasy genre
noszeltov's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting take on death. Being written in 1982, the story shows its age in spots, but not so much to its detriment. Zane shows solid growth through the course of the tale, which is something I always enjoy in a good story. First book in a series, so I expect I'll explore the next book soon!