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ellyrarg's review against another edition
3.0
Did not love this book. I felt like the book pulled you in, but as it progressed between the time periods it didn’t give you time to acclimatise to the new characters and moved way too quickly through.
The science fiction of it was... not very science-fictiony. The concept of growing children outside the womb in artificial wombs, dna doctoring, exoskeletons and fancy virtual pa’s... none of that is new, and felt like the book didn’t build on or grown any of these concepts. It felt like it had been slotted in from a science fiction concept buffet.
I did love the characters though, especially from he first time period, they way they reasoned and worked out their predicaments and hopes and loves and all the rest of it.
The ending was anticlimactic, in that it wasn’t an ending. There was no build or pace change, it just stopped what felt like mid story.
Probably wouldn’t read again.
The science fiction of it was... not very science-fictiony. The concept of growing children outside the womb in artificial wombs, dna doctoring, exoskeletons and fancy virtual pa’s... none of that is new, and felt like the book didn’t build on or grown any of these concepts. It felt like it had been slotted in from a science fiction concept buffet.
I did love the characters though, especially from he first time period, they way they reasoned and worked out their predicaments and hopes and loves and all the rest of it.
The ending was anticlimactic, in that it wasn’t an ending. There was no build or pace change, it just stopped what felt like mid story.
Probably wouldn’t read again.
maria_pulver's review against another edition
3.0
Though the subject discussed - the way humans reproduce in the future, is a fascinating one, I didn't like the book.
Firstly, because the narration is very slow, lacks any significant plot movements and the heroes are somewhat unsympathetic for me. Secondly, the book consists of multiple short stories of various generations of the same circle of people, but due to the cut-off nature of each story they are rather difficult to follow and connect - I had to go back few times to catch the connections. And finally, I have already read other sci-fi books that discuss the same topic in a less roundabout manner.
Firstly, because the narration is very slow, lacks any significant plot movements and the heroes are somewhat unsympathetic for me. Secondly, the book consists of multiple short stories of various generations of the same circle of people, but due to the cut-off nature of each story they are rather difficult to follow and connect - I had to go back few times to catch the connections. And finally, I have already read other sci-fi books that discuss the same topic in a less roundabout manner.
anneduff's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, no!!! I was so engrossed in this book that I forgot it wasn't real and now I've finished it and I'm a little bit sad that it's all over.
It's not one of my normal genres but I'd found myself choosing my reading based purely on reviews (I know!) and then finding I was reading a lot of dull, uninspiring books, so part of my New Year's Resolution was to only buy books when the synopsis appeals first and then only consider the reviews as advice. This book is the first result of that resolution and it paid off.
I was drawn in, tucked in and felt cosy within its pages. I felt as if i was amongst friends, my chosen family, and I was content. I accepted my friends unconditionally - their warm personalities, their failings, their quirks. Their lives were connected yet independent of each other. I enjoyed how their stories were told in just short snapshots of their lives as they aged, often as a mere reference during a different character's 'turn' yet enough to keep you updated on their progress.
And now it's all over! I will definitely read more by this author.
It's not one of my normal genres but I'd found myself choosing my reading based purely on reviews (I know!) and then finding I was reading a lot of dull, uninspiring books, so part of my New Year's Resolution was to only buy books when the synopsis appeals first and then only consider the reviews as advice. This book is the first result of that resolution and it paid off.
I was drawn in, tucked in and felt cosy within its pages. I felt as if i was amongst friends, my chosen family, and I was content. I accepted my friends unconditionally - their warm personalities, their failings, their quirks. Their lives were connected yet independent of each other. I enjoyed how their stories were told in just short snapshots of their lives as they aged, often as a mere reference during a different character's 'turn' yet enough to keep you updated on their progress.
And now it's all over! I will definitely read more by this author.
bee_interrupted's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
peter_xxx's review
3.0
The science (fiction) in this book are actually the medical and scientific improvements that are already looming around the corner concerning childbirth and conception. A lot of the techniques here are things that scientists are actually doing research for at the moment. But this book is not about these scientific advantages, but about the impact these advantages will have on how we see pregnancy, family and relations. All this is explored through slice of life stories about two good friends and several of their children,grand children and key people in their live.
I actually listened to this book, and I have to admit that the narrator has a weird way of talking. There was something about her inflection that threw me off.
I actually listened to this book, and I have to admit that the narrator has a weird way of talking. There was something about her inflection that threw me off.
gerbilreads's review against another edition
3.0
A quietly interesting book that raises some clever ideas about the future of the family, pregnancy and relationships. Doesn’t quite go deep enough for me, however but I did appreciate the calm and well considered prose.
justfoxie's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing. This is basically just an extended family drama that flirts a little bit with the ramifications of extended life and artificial wombs. The story is slow and the writing has a dreamy quality which is nice and probably right up someone’s ally. In fact if you don’t think you like science fiction but are curious how reproductive technology shapes family dynamics in a very small scale then this would be a great book for you.
robbo_c's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
1librarianspath's review against another edition
3.0
I think part of the reason I didn’t particularly enjoy this book is that I had different expectations. I thought it was going to have a stronger sci-fi feel, and way less main characters. I couldn’t become attached to any of them because their roles were so fleeting, and the gentle domestic feel jarred with my presumption that it would be a typical sci-fi book.