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mmccombs's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This was such an interesting blend of scifi and plain old fi, an introspective and lonely novel that kind of reminded me of Interstellar and Arrival. I do feel like it didn’t reach its full potential, that it’s themes of circularity and interconnected were not fully realized in its structure. But I liked that we were fully immersed in Leigh’s background and her family, helping us make connections with the science and loftiness of the rest of the novel. I do think we could have either gotten more of her sister’s perspective or none at all, having one section near the end felt kind of disconnected. An interesting Booker pick that I don’t imagine will make it to the shortlist (and maybe it’s designation as a Booker nominee lessened my enjoyment of this book because I think I expected slightly more). But it was very readable, propulsive, and thoughtful, I had a good time reading this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Child abuse
Moderate: Dementia and Violence
kirstym25's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Body horror and Dementia
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In Ascension has the feel of an epic, taking the reader along with Leigh, a Dutch scientist and the novel’s protagonist, to the depths of the ocean and the further reaches of outer space. I’ve seen a lot of love for the book, which I share to a certain extent. But there were also aspects of this book that didn’t work so well for me.
I really liked the way this some of the wondrous aspects of our planet and the wider universe were highlighted while philosophical issues about our place in the universe and what it means to be human were explored.
I appreciated that we learnt about Leigh as a person. Her backstory was a traumatic one and I thought the author did a good job showing how that contributed to her adult life and career in both positive and negative ways. The story also highlighted the tensions between her work life and her family life, showing how work enabled her to evade family responsibilities. Leigh was happy to do so but many workers really struggle with being forced to sacrifice family for work, and this is an issue society needs to grapple with.
I personally applauded this book’s strong anti-capitalist message. The way the company that employed Leigh focused on extracting natural resources and maximising profits, attempted to minimise its legal obligations, evade its responsibility for employee safety, and then hide the truth about the space expedition from family, government and the wider public is reminiscent of so many large corporations today. Sadly, we and our environment are suffering as a result.
I did find parts of the book a little too technical and info-dumpy. I understand it was perhaps a necessary part of the world building but some of the discussion of technology and advanced science took me out of the story.
I didn’t particularly like Leigh as a character, finding her cold, clinical, and detached. Her backstory helps explain why, and those qualities could be valuable in her professional life. I don’t have to like the characters to enjoy a book but for me Leigh’s personality worked against one of the books’s messages. The sense of wonder I felt was more in spite of Leigh rather than because of her.
All in all I think this is a strong contender for the Booker shortlist. It’s science fiction and literary fiction elements are well integrated, the writing and storytelling are strong, and it’s environmental messaging is very relevant. While it wasn’t a perfect read for me I do wonder if some of that is down to format. I suspect this is a book would have worked better for me in print than on audio.
I really liked the way this some of the wondrous aspects of our planet and the wider universe were highlighted while philosophical issues about our place in the universe and what it means to be human were explored.
I appreciated that we learnt about Leigh as a person. Her backstory was a traumatic one and I thought the author did a good job showing how that contributed to her adult life and career in both positive and negative ways. The story also highlighted the tensions between her work life and her family life, showing how work enabled her to evade family responsibilities. Leigh was happy to do so but many workers really struggle with being forced to sacrifice family for work, and this is an issue society needs to grapple with.
I personally applauded this book’s strong anti-capitalist message. The way the company that employed Leigh focused on extracting natural resources and maximising profits, attempted to minimise its legal obligations, evade its responsibility for employee safety, and then hide the truth about the space expedition from family, government and the wider public is reminiscent of so many large corporations today. Sadly, we and our environment are suffering as a result.
I did find parts of the book a little too technical and info-dumpy. I understand it was perhaps a necessary part of the world building but some of the discussion of technology and advanced science took me out of the story.
I didn’t particularly like Leigh as a character, finding her cold, clinical, and detached. Her backstory helps explain why, and those qualities could be valuable in her professional life. I don’t have to like the characters to enjoy a book but for me Leigh’s personality worked against one of the books’s messages. The sense of wonder I felt was more in spite of Leigh rather than because of her.
All in all I think this is a strong contender for the Booker shortlist. It’s science fiction and literary fiction elements are well integrated, the writing and storytelling are strong, and it’s environmental messaging is very relevant. While it wasn’t a perfect read for me I do wonder if some of that is down to format. I suspect this is a book would have worked better for me in print than on audio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
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