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lene_kretzsch's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.75
m_pines_pnw's review
4.0
I give this book four stars not because I liked it, but because I respect what it does. It does a straight dive into the idea of a future affected by reality television, in some ways proving as a prediction of where we are today. The imagery is well written and horrific in its callousness, applying apathy liberally over emotionally fraught moments.
I hated the story, it's not in a style I enjoy, and it's a bit too much paranoid conspiracy for my liking, but it was well written at the very least.
I hated the story, it's not in a style I enjoy, and it's a bit too much paranoid conspiracy for my liking, but it was well written at the very least.
mikewhiteman's review
4.0
This is a look at a possible future seen from the 1970s, where death is so rare that the dying become celebrities, smothered by voyeurs wanting a taste of the pain and with companies offering protection in exchange for endorsements.
Roddie, a tv reporter with eyes replaced by cameras, is tasked with following Katherine, who has been told by her doctor and a tv company that she is terminally ill, to document her last month before death.
Roddie's focus is on discovering the "continuous Katherine Mortenhoe", i.e. observing her at all times and putting together a picture of her in the round, as opposed to the facets she would present to reporters, friends, co-workers etc.
Compton's writing gives us that picture of Katherine (and Roddie to some extent), showing how her thoughts shift from moment to moment. She has hopes and fears and frustrations but is mostly just trying to get along.
There are some nice dystopian touches, such as Katherine having to apply for three days of "Private Grief" after being told of her condition to prevent reporters harassing her at all times. Of course, it doesn't apply to her husband, who immediately becomes the target. There are constant protests which go ignored and many groups have removed themselves (or been removed) from general society.
Particularly towards the end, once her show is being aired, we get a good reflection how things look differently to those that are involved and those who watch on tv or from behind the camera, and how people change their behaviours once they know they have an audience.
One weakness, yes it was written in the 70s, but the book's treatment of its one gay character still sticks out.
Things get a bit slow in the final third but everything builds and develops to a natural conclusion, Katherine and Roddie having both grown and changed along their journey to find some dignity in death, and in life.
Roddie, a tv reporter with eyes replaced by cameras, is tasked with following Katherine, who has been told by her doctor and a tv company that she is terminally ill, to document her last month before death.
Roddie's focus is on discovering the "continuous Katherine Mortenhoe", i.e. observing her at all times and putting together a picture of her in the round, as opposed to the facets she would present to reporters, friends, co-workers etc.
Compton's writing gives us that picture of Katherine (and Roddie to some extent), showing how her thoughts shift from moment to moment. She has hopes and fears and frustrations but is mostly just trying to get along.
There are some nice dystopian touches, such as Katherine having to apply for three days of "Private Grief" after being told of her condition to prevent reporters harassing her at all times. Of course, it doesn't apply to her husband, who immediately becomes the target. There are constant protests which go ignored and many groups have removed themselves (or been removed) from general society.
Particularly towards the end, once her show is being aired, we get a good reflection how things look differently to those that are involved and those who watch on tv or from behind the camera, and how people change their behaviours once they know they have an audience.
One weakness, yes it was written in the 70s, but the book's treatment of its one gay character still sticks out.
Things get a bit slow in the final third but everything builds and develops to a natural conclusion, Katherine and Roddie having both grown and changed along their journey to find some dignity in death, and in life.
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