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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
I made it through 100 pages and just couldn’t push any further. I think it’s mainly due to the writing style and typos because usually I’d be into something like this. The tone is very laid back and conversational and the slang used is usually never explained and makes the reading experience arduous and choppy.
Moxyland is a vibrant dystopia, with deeply flawed characters that are all portrayed in various modes of moral greyness.
The novel is made of numerous contrasts, from the egotistical narration of the characters about their social activism, to the discrepancies between 'civilians' and 'corporates'.
Beukes vision is rather bleak, existence is portrayed as a continuous struggle and conflict, between characters, between ideals, between the police and the public as well as within themselves. It is a world I'd imagine in stark Grey's, illuminated with bright flashes of garish neon, forced into patterns that mimic brands and fashions.
Moxyland is not light reading it drawings on existing South African colloquialisms, then extends that with an internal jargon (that requires both knowledge of South African Companies and history) then further confuses things with a plethora of figures of speech that draw on international knowledge. In the beginning the book is a daunting read and the prose feels almost antagonistic towards the reader, taunting you with the fact that it has its own sharp, distinct, brutal identity. Much as most of the characters are harsh towards each other.
The story blends and molds such a variety of ideas and Beukes handles the multitude with deftness and clarity and a surreal harshness that is difficult to describe. Scenes are displayed with barbarity, from a genetically modified organism created as art, to cellphones turned to electrical weapons at the hands of the government and a bio-weapon that wrecks havoc... there is a cruelty to the world that other dystopian novels can't quite capture.
The inventiveness of the cyberpunk technology is astounding and the way it integrates into the narrative as well as the characters actions is excellently portrayed.
This novel is not welcoming to international (non-South African readers) but it is worth an attempt at a read for the way it handles and pushes the boundaries of the genre.
The novel is made of numerous contrasts, from the egotistical narration of the characters about their social activism, to the discrepancies between 'civilians' and 'corporates'.
Beukes vision is rather bleak, existence is portrayed as a continuous struggle and conflict, between characters, between ideals, between the police and the public as well as within themselves. It is a world I'd imagine in stark Grey's, illuminated with bright flashes of garish neon, forced into patterns that mimic brands and fashions.
Moxyland is not light reading it drawings on existing South African colloquialisms, then extends that with an internal jargon (that requires both knowledge of South African Companies and history) then further confuses things with a plethora of figures of speech that draw on international knowledge. In the beginning the book is a daunting read and the prose feels almost antagonistic towards the reader, taunting you with the fact that it has its own sharp, distinct, brutal identity. Much as most of the characters are harsh towards each other.
The story blends and molds such a variety of ideas and Beukes handles the multitude with deftness and clarity and a surreal harshness that is difficult to describe. Scenes are displayed with barbarity, from a genetically modified organism created as art, to cellphones turned to electrical weapons at the hands of the government and a bio-weapon that wrecks havoc... there is a cruelty to the world that other dystopian novels can't quite capture.
The inventiveness of the cyberpunk technology is astounding and the way it integrates into the narrative as well as the characters actions is excellently portrayed.
This novel is not welcoming to international (non-South African readers) but it is worth an attempt at a read for the way it handles and pushes the boundaries of the genre.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I barely liked any of the characters in the book. On the other, the gritty, cynical world that is effortlessly and passively woven throughout is impressive and immersive. It was barely a plot, but what a cool place!
It knows what it is, though, I'll give it that.
It knows what it is, though, I'll give it that.
The publisher lays claims that is the new sci-fi will to me the book fits into that category of cyber-punk, it has Gibson overtones but not at the same level.
I was not sure if this book was being pitched at the youth market or not, I do not think it but the cover I brought tends to suggest that market.
The book was interesting, some nice characters but not one that I cared too much about and they all seemed one dimensional. Ten was a radical, pure and simple, espousing his need for change and you missed the softer side of him as he ploughed through his story arc. It would have been nice if he was given that one moment when he doubted what he was doing but something triggered his need to carry on.
The characters could have done with more development only because I was interested to learn more.
An enjoyable read.
I was not sure if this book was being pitched at the youth market or not, I do not think it but the cover I brought tends to suggest that market.
The book was interesting, some nice characters but not one that I cared too much about and they all seemed one dimensional. Ten was a radical, pure and simple, espousing his need for change and you missed the softer side of him as he ploughed through his story arc. It would have been nice if he was given that one moment when he doubted what he was doing but something triggered his need to carry on.
The characters could have done with more development only because I was interested to learn more.
An enjoyable read.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Am I a fan of cyberpunk? I would never have guessed it, but a few highly enjoyable reading experiences of late seem to point in that direction...
I really enjoyed the world of Moxyland and hope that more of Beukes' books continue to explore it. The trial-by-fire of piecing together just what everything meant was fun, and she did a great job with keeping each separate POV fascinating in its own right. I think my main problem with it was a result of my own personal attempt to read this book amid the frenzy of the end of the semester. There was so much going on that I would have benefited more from reading it in just a few sittings than over the course of a few weeks...I found it difficult to remember exactly what was what. I almost wish, too, that it was a little longer just because I enjoyed learning about this futuristic Cape Town, but I appreciate it for its succinctness. Please return here, Ms. Beukes!
I really enjoyed the world of Moxyland and hope that more of Beukes' books continue to explore it. The trial-by-fire of piecing together just what everything meant was fun, and she did a great job with keeping each separate POV fascinating in its own right. I think my main problem with it was a result of my own personal attempt to read this book amid the frenzy of the end of the semester. There was so much going on that I would have benefited more from reading it in just a few sittings than over the course of a few weeks...I found it difficult to remember exactly what was what. I almost wish, too, that it was a little longer just because I enjoyed learning about this futuristic Cape Town, but I appreciate it for its succinctness. Please return here, Ms. Beukes!
I love her writing, but cyberpunk is just so not my thing.
Interesting premise, but I struggled to care about any of the characters.
Esta mujer siempre me deja con la misma sensación. Más o menos hasta la mitad del libro (o poco antes): caos, confusión, me pierdo entre los personajes y me cuesta ubicarlos. Justo ahí empiezas a hilarlo todo, a entender el trasfondo de la historia y a entender lo que realmente está pasando. Y acaba hilándolo todo de una manera brutal que te deja un regustillo para reflexionar y seguir dándole vueltas unos días.
Recomendable para quien disfrute las tramas de espionaje, terrorismo, conspiraciones.
Recomendable para quien disfrute las tramas de espionaje, terrorismo, conspiraciones.