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rockingreader's review
4.0
PW review is correct. Fans of Vonnegut will recognize his influence here--in a good way. I felt the ending was a bit rushed, but I liked the story overall so it wasn't enough to downgrade to 3/5. One I'll have to read again one day, once I'm through my 'To Read' list.
spikespiegel's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
dalcecilruno's review against another edition
5.0
Science fiction meets Norse Mythology
It's official, Andri is among my favourite authors. I couldn't put this book down and I read it in one evening.
The worries and warnings of the sci-fi genre meet the poetry and transcendence of old Icelandic myths. A book that clearly has that distinct North Atlantic island's flavour, yet it doesn't ignore the existence of the rest of the world. The contrasts of a mechanised and heavily controlled society against the most primal and pure aspects of human nature.
It's an entertaining yet thoughtful story, with a refreshing writing style.
It's official, Andri is among my favourite authors. I couldn't put this book down and I read it in one evening.
The worries and warnings of the sci-fi genre meet the poetry and transcendence of old Icelandic myths. A book that clearly has that distinct North Atlantic island's flavour, yet it doesn't ignore the existence of the rest of the world. The contrasts of a mechanised and heavily controlled society against the most primal and pure aspects of human nature.
It's an entertaining yet thoughtful story, with a refreshing writing style.
prcizmadia's review
5.0
I unabashedly loved this book on many levels. First off, these characterizations were outstanding. He alternately draws us into the internal lives of Sigrid and Indridi, the musings and struggles of the eponymous LoveStar, and a truly terrifying (and somehow believable) future world of hypercapitalism and exploitation. The fact that it all has a happy face, and upbeat tone to it, makes it all the more horrible. Fitting their struggles into this world, and fitting these narratives into that milieu, was a rewarding experience.
Second, I truly enjoy what he has to say about the human condition. In exploring the nature of ideas and innovation, Magnason expands upon his theories later on in 'Dreamland.' The believability of his world is not because of the technical advancements (unless you take them as symbols, which I could certainly see-- the hatred of death and decay, etc.), but instead because our human nature would lead us to this existence, given enough time. How long until our multinationals scramble to disaster zones to use the ubiquity of cameras for free advertising?
Third, this book truly had some laugh-out-loud moments mixed in with head-shaking worry. Magnason has a true craft for telling a riveting tale, and I could not put this down. The pacing, the imagery, the symbolism, it all came together with an electric plotline that I couldn't put down. And, I love the ballsy ending; no squishy postmodern back-away-from-the-consequences BS here. I love that.
So, go read it. This means you.
Second, I truly enjoy what he has to say about the human condition. In exploring the nature of ideas and innovation, Magnason expands upon his theories later on in 'Dreamland.' The believability of his world is not because of the technical advancements (unless you take them as symbols, which I could certainly see-- the hatred of death and decay, etc.), but instead because our human nature would lead us to this existence, given enough time. How long until our multinationals scramble to disaster zones to use the ubiquity of cameras for free advertising?
Third, this book truly had some laugh-out-loud moments mixed in with head-shaking worry. Magnason has a true craft for telling a riveting tale, and I could not put this down. The pacing, the imagery, the symbolism, it all came together with an electric plotline that I couldn't put down. And, I love the ballsy ending; no squishy postmodern back-away-from-the-consequences BS here. I love that.
So, go read it. This means you.
gemmadee's review against another edition
5.0
Icelandic novelists can be pretty challenging, even when their books are fun. Andri Snær Magnason’s dystopic novel LoveStar left my head reeling – which is a shame, because LoveStar was right up my alley, and I wish I could do it justice. In all likelihood, I won’t be able to summarize all the ideas that LoveStar stirred up in my head, so let me just say, “Read it.”
eevoss's review against another edition
4.0
"Thus they made love in the wolf's stomach while the world crumbled outside" is probably the greatest thing I've read in recent history.
gigiivid's review
3.0
*Spoilers*
This is the ultimate "and then I woke up and it was all a dream oops" novel. 90% of the book explored amazing, unique science fiction/ dystopian concepts and the whole thing was building up to an epic finale where all the POV characters meet in a big clash.
Except the author seems to have gotten bored, shrugged, and tacked on the last chapter of some other novel.
I've never been so mad about the ending of a book before (and I say this after just having read [b:The Children's Bach|634140|The Children's Bach|Helen Garner|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1318128821s/634140.jpg|2810409]). I was invested in these characters, this plot, this world and then the author just...gave up. It was an unsatisfying, cliche, random and boring ending. But the rest of the book was awesome. I loved the ideas in it and it was so refreshing in the style that it was written. I've never read anything Icelandic before and I'm surprised at how well it translates (or, was it a really good translator?) Most of the Japanese fiction I've read translates a little awkwardly and the flow of the writing feels stunted. This felt poetic and fluid as if it had been written in english the first time round. I really enjoyed that!
The characters were so-so. It was frustrating that a lot of the focus was on trivial events in the book such as and not as much time was spent on the romantic plot as it actually came into an interesting part. At times the novel felt disjointed in the parts that it chose to focus on and the connections between the different people. For instance, it spent so long setting up the conflict between the lovers then gave just one chapter of Sigrid and Per actually meeting. It needed to be sustained--or, if it wasn't Magnason's main priority then I think this would've been a better novel without the lovers. It was a bit like [b:A Midsummer Night's Dream|1622|A Midsummer Night's Dream|William Shakespeare|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327874534s/1622.jpg|894834] in that the lovers were the main focus but also the most boring part.
I'm really uncertain about what I think about this novel because of the terrible ending. I enjoyed the themes and the overall ideas but I feel like the actual plot and characters needed some serious work. It needed a stronger focus on just one part rather then a shaky focus on a few different aspects of the created world. Perhaps, it could've been longer as well?
Plot rating: 4/10
Character rating: 5/10
Style of writing: 7/10
First 1/3: 6/10
Second 1/3: 8/10
Third 1/3: 3/10
Main Character rating: 5/10
Scenery rating: 6/10
Concept rating: 9.5/10
Emotional rating: 5/10
Overall: 58.5
(It seems like a harsh score but it rounds up to 3 which is where I would've put it anyway. It's a low 3/ high 2)
This is the ultimate "and then I woke up and it was all a dream oops" novel. 90% of the book explored amazing, unique science fiction/ dystopian concepts and the whole thing was building up to an epic finale where all the POV characters meet in a big clash.
Except the author seems to have gotten bored, shrugged, and tacked on the last chapter of some other novel.
I've never been so mad about the ending of a book before (and I say this after just having read [b:The Children's Bach|634140|The Children's Bach|Helen Garner|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1318128821s/634140.jpg|2810409]). I was invested in these characters, this plot, this world and then the author just...gave up. It was an unsatisfying, cliche, random and boring ending. But the rest of the book was awesome. I loved the ideas in it and it was so refreshing in the style that it was written. I've never read anything Icelandic before and I'm surprised at how well it translates (or, was it a really good translator?) Most of the Japanese fiction I've read translates a little awkwardly and the flow of the writing feels stunted. This felt poetic and fluid as if it had been written in english the first time round. I really enjoyed that!
The characters were so-so. It was frustrating that a lot of the focus was on trivial events in the book such as
Spoiler
the wolves and mickeys. What the hell was that even? I didn't understand itI'm really uncertain about what I think about this novel because of the terrible ending. I enjoyed the themes and the overall ideas but I feel like the actual plot and characters needed some serious work. It needed a stronger focus on just one part rather then a shaky focus on a few different aspects of the created world. Perhaps, it could've been longer as well?
Plot rating: 4/10
Character rating: 5/10
Style of writing: 7/10
First 1/3: 6/10
Second 1/3: 8/10
Third 1/3: 3/10
Main Character rating: 5/10
Scenery rating: 6/10
Concept rating: 9.5/10
Emotional rating: 5/10
Overall: 58.5
(It seems like a harsh score but it rounds up to 3 which is where I would've put it anyway. It's a low 3/ high 2)
djwudi's review
5.0
This one, I really, really enjoyed. Frighteningly believable (if improbable) biotech-meets-marketing serves as a base for paired stories of lovers torn apart and a brilliant CEO on a reluctant quest for God. Frequently funny and sweet, this was easily my favorite of this year's crop of Philip K. Dick Award nominees.