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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I feel like I should have liked this more than I did....part of it is that I'm really bad with names. So when it would switch to a different character, I was trying to figure out how it fit into the whole. And since it jumps in time also, it was sometimes just a bit confusing. I also just wanted more from some of the stories - wanted to hear more of what happened to them. I think ultimately, I wanted something that had a bit more of a coherent narrative - even if it was told through interconnected short stories.
This book is just way too difficult. It feels very disjointed and is hard to get through. I'm still unsure what exactly it's about, and I've spent way too much time trying to understand.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Ik heb het idee alsof ik wel 20 boeken gelezen heb! Hoewel alle hoofdstukken uiteindelijk als in een web met elkaar verbonden zijn, zijn het waardige op zichzelf staande short stories in een eigen tijd, eigen plek en zelfs compleet eigen stijl. Een centraal thema is wel een Black Mirror-achtige vorm van technologie en authenticiteit. Mijn favoriete hoofdstuk is dan ook een reeks berichten over en weer tussen steeds meer personen die allen een eigen belang hebben. Normaal houd ik niet eens van brieven, mails of sms'jes in een boek.
Het nadeel van op zichzelf staande verhalen is dat er vaak toch één in zit die je minder aanspreekt. Voor mij was dat het laatste verhaal, wat daardoor een beetje een anticlimax was. Dat en de soms overmatige nadruk op de black mirror achtige technologie zorgen voor een halve ster aftrek.
4,5 sterren, afgerond naar boven.
Het nadeel van op zichzelf staande verhalen is dat er vaak toch één in zit die je minder aanspreekt. Voor mij was dat het laatste verhaal, wat daardoor een beetje een anticlimax was. Dat en de soms overmatige nadruk op de black mirror achtige technologie zorgen voor een halve ster aftrek.
4,5 sterren, afgerond naar boven.
Egan does it again. I am truly amazed by how distinct the voice and style of each chapter is. A deeply weird companion piece to another superb book, A Visit From The Goon Squad. This novel isn't as edgy as Good Squad (nor does it have a PowerPoint presentation that will make you cry) but the themes of big data, memory, and family are stunning.
Be prepared to follow 10,000 characters in the not-so-distant future where the technology to upload your memories exists and is thriving. Stories follow the (public and private) implications of this technology as well as the steps of its creation.
Be prepared to follow 10,000 characters in the not-so-distant future where the technology to upload your memories exists and is thriving. Stories follow the (public and private) implications of this technology as well as the steps of its creation.
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book. I’m paranoid about where social media and Big Tech are taking us in the years ahead and this book didn’t make me feel better. But Egan’s writing is fantastic and telling somewhat separate stories while connecting the array of characters made this a fun read for me. Definitely recommend.
I had read a lot of 5 star reviews so I was excited about reading the book. Over a month, I went back to it twice, hoping I would like it better. Second time, I got 2/3 of the way thru before firing it. I just didn’t like the characters in the past or future. The technology of saving memories in a Cube was cool; otherwise, I just didn’t care enough to finish it. Then I went back and read other 2 star reviewsand I concluded that it is not just me.
Oi, this was disappointing! I was very prepared to like this book, for all of these short stories to combine together to form a large story arc examining privacy, memory, and identity. But no it was just a collection of short stories, some stupid, with no big story connecting them. And they did nothing with the whole premise of the book, the Own your unconscious thing. Bleh.
challenging
mysterious
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
Idk why I waited so long to read this considering I was literally changed by “A Visit from the Goon Squad” and this is part two. And plus also it may be even better and more profound. If you like fiction with a side of cultural comment and a position on social media, authenticity/narcissism/propaganda and an illusion about AI, read this.