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dee9401's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written novel. Characters slowly developed and unveiled tantalizingly across the story. I really enjoyed this book, savoring only about a chapter a night as the writing was so dense ... as in packed with ideas, not difficult. So glad I picked this up and read it.
sleepyboi2988's review against another edition
5.0
"Mass produced people, all differences all covered up and hidden. No creation, no evolution. Evolution is, we're here to try our differences, enjoy our own thing, make it or fail our own way. The differences are what matters, but you won't let them have differences to argue over. Just mass-produced people with the same personality and philosophy. Your personality and philosophy. Yours."
The short story this was based on absolute deserves its Nebula Award. Mrs. MacLean takes us through what it means to be human and asks the philosophical age old questions: Is good control over people just as bad as evil control over people? Is the illusion of choice when the outcomes are pre-programmed desirable? Are people who only stick with their own kind, those with exactly the same beliefs happy? Better people?
The above questions still being so fitting; especially in our day and age where simple opposing views or personal opinions, politely put forth are often shouted down and condemned engendering an intense frustration at the lack of discourse.
"Maybe a person would be half happy living your way, doing your thing, for a lifetime, but he has only one lifetime and you want to make him live your lifetime instead of his own. You'd make them into saints. You'd take away man's chance to be himself. That's murder or robbery. You humble saints are trying to steal lives."
The book is disjointed and confusing at times but this is on purpose the main character switches consciousnesses suddenly and without warning so the reader, rather than being hand held/spoon fed, experiences it just as the main character does.
The ending is excellent not at all what it seemed to be going toward. The climax perfect, exquisite. I can only echo other reviewers in saying "Why has this classic not been on more people's radars?" I consider myself incredibly lucky to have received this book among a Sci-Fi book bundler (Think opening collectible card packs but for books!). I will be seeking out her other works for sure.
The short story this was based on absolute deserves its Nebula Award. Mrs. MacLean takes us through what it means to be human and asks the philosophical age old questions: Is good control over people just as bad as evil control over people? Is the illusion of choice when the outcomes are pre-programmed desirable? Are people who only stick with their own kind, those with exactly the same beliefs happy? Better people?
The above questions still being so fitting; especially in our day and age where simple opposing views or personal opinions, politely put forth are often shouted down and condemned engendering an intense frustration at the lack of discourse.
"Maybe a person would be half happy living your way, doing your thing, for a lifetime, but he has only one lifetime and you want to make him live your lifetime instead of his own. You'd make them into saints. You'd take away man's chance to be himself. That's murder or robbery. You humble saints are trying to steal lives."
The book is disjointed and confusing at times but this is on purpose the main character switches consciousnesses suddenly and without warning so the reader, rather than being hand held/spoon fed, experiences it just as the main character does.
The ending is excellent not at all what it seemed to be going toward. The climax perfect, exquisite. I can only echo other reviewers in saying "Why has this classic not been on more people's radars?" I consider myself incredibly lucky to have received this book among a Sci-Fi book bundler (Think opening collectible card packs but for books!). I will be seeking out her other works for sure.
nwhyte's review
http://nhw.livejournal.com/213781.html[return][return]This book, published in 1975, is a fix-up of three stories published in Analog between 1968 and 1971 featuring psychic detective George Sandford, the last of which won a Nebula. The setting is remarkable - New York in a world recovering from environmental catastrophe, where there is much greenery and derelict buildings (and vulnerable underwater suburbs), and significant social control in return for quality of life. Sandford's somewhat seedy character and his feelings of blurred identity when he tries to read the minds of criminals (or their victims) are quite vivid. It is reminiscent of Alfred Bester, Philip K Dick and John Brunner. MacLean was obviously a pretty talented author who simply didn't produce as much as the other three; the only other story by her I remember reading is "The Snowball Effect", about the small town sewing circle that takes over the world.
myxomycetes's review
4.0
Early 70s SF reminiscent of Russ and Delany and earlier works by Bester and Huxley, set in a utopian/dystopian New York city of communes and enclaves. An enjoyable read that surprised me on occasion with its insight and prescience.
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