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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2016/07/29/backlist-burndown-review-moxyland-by-lauren-beukes/
Moxyland follows four storylines in this near future dystopia. Each perspective spotlights a different aspects of this world and culture. I really enjoyed each of the four characters, even if I didn’t feel quite as connected to any of them as I would have preferred. But then, I think this is the nature of the story. With the focus being divided, there is less material to really attach you to each perspective. Plus I think the overall goal of the story was maybe not so much about the characters, but about the world they were living in. In that, the book definitely succeeded.
In some respects, the world sounds great. There is technology that can be injected, make a person more physically attractive, enhance their immune system to prevent illness, enhance their mind. Abandoned AIDs babies are adopted and supported by corporations, given a life where they are set up to be successful. They have taken gaming to entirely new level, creating a much more immersive and real experience.
But then there are the details you start to notice. There is the class structure and social hierarchy that divides people. Technology, while very cool in many ways, also provides some disturbing abilities for those people “in control”. Technology can also be used to shut a person off from everything. Their phones are cut off, and since everything (even opening doors, food, water) is controlled through their phone, it is like shutting down their life. Even for people that can see the danger in this technology, it is still so central to everything that the fear of being cut off is very real. Corporate sponsors can make people addicted to their products, causing severe cravings/withdrawal. Because if they are going to invest in enhancing someone, they want this beautiful person to now be seen *needing* their products. Yeah, nothing says great sales strategy quite like a forced addiction! They will also use people as test subjects for experimental technologies. Seriously, this place just gets creepier the more you learn about it.
Overall, Moxyland another great book for Beukes. Especially considering this is a debut novel. Seriously, if you have not read any of her books yet, you should try. I can’t wait to find out what she has in store for us next.
Moxyland follows four storylines in this near future dystopia. Each perspective spotlights a different aspects of this world and culture. I really enjoyed each of the four characters, even if I didn’t feel quite as connected to any of them as I would have preferred. But then, I think this is the nature of the story. With the focus being divided, there is less material to really attach you to each perspective. Plus I think the overall goal of the story was maybe not so much about the characters, but about the world they were living in. In that, the book definitely succeeded.
In some respects, the world sounds great. There is technology that can be injected, make a person more physically attractive, enhance their immune system to prevent illness, enhance their mind. Abandoned AIDs babies are adopted and supported by corporations, given a life where they are set up to be successful. They have taken gaming to entirely new level, creating a much more immersive and real experience.
But then there are the details you start to notice. There is the class structure and social hierarchy that divides people. Technology, while very cool in many ways, also provides some disturbing abilities for those people “in control”. Technology can also be used to shut a person off from everything. Their phones are cut off, and since everything (even opening doors, food, water) is controlled through their phone, it is like shutting down their life. Even for people that can see the danger in this technology, it is still so central to everything that the fear of being cut off is very real. Corporate sponsors can make people addicted to their products, causing severe cravings/withdrawal. Because if they are going to invest in enhancing someone, they want this beautiful person to now be seen *needing* their products. Yeah, nothing says great sales strategy quite like a forced addiction! They will also use people as test subjects for experimental technologies. Seriously, this place just gets creepier the more you learn about it.
Overall, Moxyland another great book for Beukes. Especially considering this is a debut novel. Seriously, if you have not read any of her books yet, you should try. I can’t wait to find out what she has in store for us next.
DNF @50%. I can’t keep reading something that I can’t explain the plot halfway through. This has all the right elements for SF. They are compelling in a synopsis, but the author doesn’t differentiate the characters or make me care.
Giving this a lower rating because it was hard for me to get into, and to follow. Four narrators, but I had trouble picking them up at first. The plot is supposed to be chaotic and kaleidoscopic, but I was a quarter of the way through and mixing people up
When I read the review of Beukes' Zoo City, I somehow decided I'd like this one better. It didn't turn out that way, for whatever reason-- I think that the singular focus on the narrator of Zoo City works a little better, I liked the crime and detection angle, and I felt like I had a better handle on some of the plot elements than I got here.
Which isn't meant to dog this as a book; I just found it a little less compelling. There are, I think, three main threads overlapping here: Toby, and his sort of blogger ways; Kendra, the artist who sort of straddles the line between traditional and otherwise; and Tendeka, the idealistic revolutionary. The other characters who narrate usually forward one or more of those storylines, or so I read it. But to me, the characters here, major and minor, remained too instrumental to the plot and not motivated enough by their own means and engines of desire. It made a lot of what happened seem sort of mechanical, rather than anarchic, which I think was kind of the goal.
I'm unsure what to think of the unfinished nature of the ending-- on the one hand, the evil continues, which suits the conspiratorial, ripped from the headlines nature of the larger plot, but on the other hand, I'm kind of unsure where it goes next, especially in terms of what will happen to Toby.
There are lots of good ideas here, but it doesn't feel as fresh or as fully realized as Beukes' other book.
Which isn't meant to dog this as a book; I just found it a little less compelling. There are, I think, three main threads overlapping here: Toby, and his sort of blogger ways; Kendra, the artist who sort of straddles the line between traditional and otherwise; and Tendeka, the idealistic revolutionary. The other characters who narrate usually forward one or more of those storylines, or so I read it. But to me, the characters here, major and minor, remained too instrumental to the plot and not motivated enough by their own means and engines of desire. It made a lot of what happened seem sort of mechanical, rather than anarchic, which I think was kind of the goal.
I'm unsure what to think of the unfinished nature of the ending-- on the one hand, the evil continues, which suits the conspiratorial, ripped from the headlines nature of the larger plot, but on the other hand, I'm kind of unsure where it goes next, especially in terms of what will happen to Toby.
There are lots of good ideas here, but it doesn't feel as fresh or as fully realized as Beukes' other book.
An interesting and frightening look at what could happen as governments allow corporations more control over the lives of citizens. Beukes deftly intertwines the stories of four characters as they deal with these all-powerful corporations. From the activist who gets lured into terrorist activities to the corporate programmer who is too cocky for her own good, Beukes develops fully realized characters who are each fascinating in their own ways.
I didn't love this as much as Zoo City or The Shining Girls, but it was still a great read. Looking forward to Beukes' future work!
I didn't love this as much as Zoo City or The Shining Girls, but it was still a great read. Looking forward to Beukes' future work!
A dystopian future where society is split along corporate lines and those working for big firms have a much more privileged lifestyle than those that don't. Everyone toes the government line controlled by their phones as they are the single most important possession a citizen has - for funds, access and social status.
This book reminded me a little of early Jeff Noon with drugs and dj culture being replaced by mobile phones and social media. I couldn't really get into the book. I had no sympathy for any of the characters and their trials, tribulations and motivations did not seem to serve any purpose.
As the writer on the current story arc on Fairest, I hope she does a better job of producing an engaging story than she has here.
This book reminded me a little of early Jeff Noon with drugs and dj culture being replaced by mobile phones and social media. I couldn't really get into the book. I had no sympathy for any of the characters and their trials, tribulations and motivations did not seem to serve any purpose.
As the writer on the current story arc on Fairest, I hope she does a better job of producing an engaging story than she has here.
This is one of those books that once I was finished, I had to give some consideration to my rating. It is not a long book, but there is a whole lot going on. The concepts of Moxyland are a bit abstract and combined with the slang the author uses to define her world the book is a challenging read.
The book is set in a near future, cyber punk version of Cape Town. The story follows a group of revolutionaries, some intentional and others who inadvertently get swept up in it, who are trying to fight the ever-expanding control and corruption of the corporations. The tech in this book almost feels like additional characters.
The characters in Moxyland are beyond flawed. In fact, they are not very likeable at all. There is a lot of arrogance, dysfunction, and self-centered behavior going on. Yet, the same time, I can't help but sympathize with them.
I don't want to hit too much detail about the plot, because this is a dish best served hot. I will say that some of the scenarios presented are beyond disturbing. Ms. Beukes has this wonderful habit of twisting societal concerns to the point of discomfort. The result makes one recoil, but then draw nearer to examine it more closely. There is definitely brilliance among the madness.
While I enjoyed the book, it certainly is not for everyone. I can see where some people might have difficulty getting past the slang and strange concepts to become immersed in the meat of the story. I encourage you to try to push through before abandoning it.
The book is set in a near future, cyber punk version of Cape Town. The story follows a group of revolutionaries, some intentional and others who inadvertently get swept up in it, who are trying to fight the ever-expanding control and corruption of the corporations. The tech in this book almost feels like additional characters.
The characters in Moxyland are beyond flawed. In fact, they are not very likeable at all. There is a lot of arrogance, dysfunction, and self-centered behavior going on. Yet, the same time, I can't help but sympathize with them.
I don't want to hit too much detail about the plot, because this is a dish best served hot. I will say that some of the scenarios presented are beyond disturbing. Ms. Beukes has this wonderful habit of twisting societal concerns to the point of discomfort. The result makes one recoil, but then draw nearer to examine it more closely. There is definitely brilliance among the madness.
While I enjoyed the book, it certainly is not for everyone. I can see where some people might have difficulty getting past the slang and strange concepts to become immersed in the meat of the story. I encourage you to try to push through before abandoning it.
I picked this up solely to fulfill the cyberpunk prompt for the Advanced Popsugar challenge, and I am so glad that I read this book. Although it took awhile to get into the plot, I hit a point where I could not put it down, and it seemed believable.
The scariest book I've ever read. I finished it at midnight last night and couldn't fall asleep for another hour.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes