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old_tim's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. Short and powerful, it has stayed with me for days after completion.
soubhi's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nuevecuervos's review against another edition
3.0
Wonderfully written, not nearly enough there. I can handle uncertainty, but it just feels like there are missing parts that would make it a better story, rather than a snippet of one. Of note, there's a warning that the story is an account of the narrator's experience and thus comes with typos, which it does, and is maddening. Maddening.
larkspire's review against another edition
3.0
Forest of Memory is imperfect in many ways, but intriguing nonetheless.
The setting isn't especially remarkable at this point - except for the key detail where antiques become an even hotter commodity in a world where anything can be replicated, as long as they are verified "authentics" which, preferably, have a detailed provenance. I don't think I've seen anything like that in science fiction before; certainly not to this degree at least. This is linked to "Captures", sold-off perfect memories (including sense memories) of experiences. The idea of Captures isn't unique itself, but I haven't seen anyone else associate the desire for real experiences with the desire for authentic antiques that have histories and stories behind them, even though it seems obvious now I write it.
It's the little details like that that make the worldbuilding that much more satisfying (granted, I have an MIS specialising in archive management, so this has a more personal meaning and interest to me than it would to the average reader). Unfortunately, other details are lacking. If AIs have personhood, is Katya's virtual assistant a partner? Is it problematic that Katya treats her as a tool, or is she limited enough that she isn't sentient or a person? If capitalism is over, why is the gig economy flourishing (Katya is grateful that she only has to balance two, related income streams, instead of having to spend her time performing "microtasks") and why do corporations have legal personhood? Are *all* animals involuntarily streaming their experiences online or is it just the deer?
The story is interesting, but ultimately unsatisfying. Even Katya isn't really explored in any depth. But I don't think the story was really the point. For me this book's value was how it makes you think, about authenticity and reality; the questions it raises (unrelated to the ones I ask out of dissatisfaction with the worldbuilding). One of the most interesting, and most relevant to the average person today: If memory is fallible, can *any* narrator - who doesn't have a video they can prove has not been doctored - be considered reliable and trustworthy?
The setting isn't especially remarkable at this point - except for the key detail where antiques become an even hotter commodity in a world where anything can be replicated, as long as they are verified "authentics" which, preferably, have a detailed provenance. I don't think I've seen anything like that in science fiction before; certainly not to this degree at least. This is linked to "Captures", sold-off perfect memories (including sense memories) of experiences. The idea of Captures isn't unique itself, but I haven't seen anyone else associate the desire for real experiences with the desire for authentic antiques that have histories and stories behind them, even though it seems obvious now I write it.
It's the little details like that that make the worldbuilding that much more satisfying (granted, I have an MIS specialising in archive management, so this has a more personal meaning and interest to me than it would to the average reader). Unfortunately, other details are lacking. If AIs have personhood, is Katya's virtual assistant a partner? Is it problematic that Katya treats her as a tool, or is she limited enough that she isn't sentient or a person? If capitalism is over, why is the gig economy flourishing (Katya is grateful that she only has to balance two, related income streams, instead of having to spend her time performing "microtasks") and why do corporations have legal personhood? Are *all* animals involuntarily streaming their experiences online or is it just the deer?
The story is interesting, but ultimately unsatisfying. Even Katya isn't really explored in any depth. But I don't think the story was really the point. For me this book's value was how it makes you think, about authenticity and reality; the questions it raises (unrelated to the ones I ask out of dissatisfaction with the worldbuilding). One of the most interesting, and most relevant to the average person today: If memory is fallible, can *any* narrator - who doesn't have a video they can prove has not been doctored - be considered reliable and trustworthy?
brontesmovingbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
wildbuilt's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elizafiedler's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty cool little piece of world building. Definitely makes me want to check out more of her books.
lamusadelils's review against another edition
4.0
Siempre me ha fascinado la idea de cómo experimentamos el mundo y nuestros recuerdos del mismo cuando sabemos que tenemos una "evidencia" de lo que ocurre. El ejemplo más obvio es el deseo constante de grabar un concierto al mismo tiempo que se está experimentando. Algunas personas piensan que es una conducta absurda, pero el acto mismo de grabar a veces es parte de la experiencia de maneras que pareciera que solo las generaciones más jóvenes entienden.
Cuando estás acostumbrado a documentar todo, existir en un mundo en línea y dejar que tu memoria viva en lo que está guardado, tu forma de ver la realidad cambia. No es necesariamente algo nuevo, ya que los humanos hemos encontrado muchas maneras de preservar los recuerdos. Sin embargo, el nivel de preservación que se discute aquí y al que podríamos estar enfrentandonos en un futuro no tan lejano cambia las reglas del juego de maneras intrigantes.
Es por eso que la aventura de Katya me pareció tan interesante. Inicialmente me estaba costando trabajo el formato de entrevista pero creo que ayuda a cimentar lo inusual de la situación dentro de este universo y a evocar la necesidad de regresar a documentar cosas de las que no hay otras "pruebas".
Es una historia corta que deja muchos cabos sueltos. No diría que está incompleta en si, ya que todo es a propósito, pero si creo que tendría potencial para explorarse de manera más amplia.
Cuando estás acostumbrado a documentar todo, existir en un mundo en línea y dejar que tu memoria viva en lo que está guardado, tu forma de ver la realidad cambia. No es necesariamente algo nuevo, ya que los humanos hemos encontrado muchas maneras de preservar los recuerdos. Sin embargo, el nivel de preservación que se discute aquí y al que podríamos estar enfrentandonos en un futuro no tan lejano cambia las reglas del juego de maneras intrigantes.
Es por eso que la aventura de Katya me pareció tan interesante. Inicialmente me estaba costando trabajo el formato de entrevista pero creo que ayuda a cimentar lo inusual de la situación dentro de este universo y a evocar la necesidad de regresar a documentar cosas de las que no hay otras "pruebas".
Es una historia corta que deja muchos cabos sueltos. No diría que está incompleta en si, ya que todo es a propósito, pero si creo que tendría potencial para explorarse de manera más amplia.