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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Not sure I really understood what was going on in this one ... didn't seem to have much of a plot to keep the issues afloat. The futuristic slang was definitely hard to keep track of as well. The ideas raised were definitely interesting. The story, however, just didn't do it for me.
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"The thing is that it's all possible, especially if we're willing to trade away our rights for convenience, for the illusion of security. our very own bright and shiny dystopia is only ever one totalitarian government away."
I am a Beukes fan, but this was probably my least favority of hers. The world building was excellent but I couldn't get a handle on the characters. There were lots and they all seemed the same at the beginning. By the time I had them all untangled the book ended. What I like about Beukes writing is, pardoxically all of the diverse characters she manages to weave into a coherent story. This, one of her earlier books, shows her potential but doesn't quite blend it all together.
Even with my tepid remarks, this is a good cyber-punky story filled with gene tech and robot dogs. 3.5 stars rounded up because as usual I don't think Beukes gets as much love as she deserves.
Even with my tepid remarks, this is a good cyber-punky story filled with gene tech and robot dogs. 3.5 stars rounded up because as usual I don't think Beukes gets as much love as she deserves.
Near-future dystopia set in South Africa, about a society in which corporations control access to privileges, in which smartphones are outfitted with an ability to give their users Taser-like shocks when directed to by police, and where biohacking nanobots are injected experimentally in trendsetting underground artists, to create buzz around the nanobot's abilities to enhance human abilities and prevent illness. Following several young people, including a photographer, a DJ, an activist, and a corporate employee, this novel left me intrigued and impressed by its social commentary and writing. It was originally published nearly a decade ago, but seems still just as futuristic and relevant today.
This was a random e-book I found, mostly out of desperation to finally finish [b:The Shining Girls|16131077|The Shining Girls|Lauren Beukes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352227705s/16131077.jpg|21956898], and is really more of novella. But my gods, I wish she would flesh it out into a really long book, or preferably, a series. Delish future world, with the horror of technology embedded into life and persona, the meaninglessness of art and the ignorance of poverty. It felt very much like the beginning of Spider Jerusalem's world (and if you don't know him, go find [b:Transmetropolitan, Vol. 1: Back on the Street|22416|Transmetropolitan, Vol. 1 Back on the Street (Transmetropolitan, #1)|Warren Ellis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320606005s/22416.jpg|23442]).
So a collision story between an artist, a techie, a revolutionary, and a douche bag. Fantastic. One to buy for the collection.
So a collision story between an artist, a techie, a revolutionary, and a douche bag. Fantastic. One to buy for the collection.
I really like Lauren Beukes' writing, and have read quite a few of her books. This one is not bad, but not her best either – it doesn't feel like it has quite as tight a story as some of the others, the focus is a bit more nebulous. Four narrators is probably a bit too much. As I said, I think she's great, but if you've never read anything by her before I would definitely recommend reading The Shining Girls or Zoo City first.
An astonishing work, blending futurist musings inspired by actual events. The closing essay alone is a must read, it's contents transcending the novel, making it 5 stars.
I went back to read this book after having read Beukes' last two novels and absolutely loving them. I was disappointed. It's filled with great ideas, but the execution is rough, and too many things fizzle out in an unsatisfying way. It's a fun enough read, I suppose, but doesn't hold a candle to the more capably (maturely?) executed Shining Girls or Broken Monsters.