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bookcraft's review
4.0
Well. That was...uncomfortably prescient, for something originally published in 1952.
ajali's review
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jealcalat's review against another edition
5.0
Una obra clásica de CF. No por vieja sino por ensayar una sociedad futura y meter reflexiones profundamente perturbadoras en ese ensayo.
En el mundo, más nuestro que del pasado, de Mercaderes del Espacio se fabrican miles de productos que nadie necesita y cuya demanda es vulgarmente confeccionada con propaganda omnipresente. Mientras fabrican remedos de café parecidos a la Coca-Cola con alcaloides adictivos añadidos y los venden masivamente, comer un bistec sale más caro que un mes de vacaciones. La deforestación ha hecho el aire irrespirable. Cae hollín como rocío del cielo. No hay recursos para nadie y la humanidad ahora ve hacia otros planetas para hacerse espacio. El gobierno es apenas una fracción más del complejo industrial y comercial. El capitalismo ha hecho que las empresas tengan un estatus más importante que el propio Presidente de EEUU.
Se nota la preocupación de los autores por la creciente mercantilización de todos los servicios más básicos. Protegerte contra un ataque armado no es una prerrogativa de un ciudadano no obligación de la policía, sino de empresas privadas. Las guerras comerciales alcanzan cotas de guerra reales, con cientos de muertes vistas como un gaje del oficio.
En todo ese infierno, los "consumidores", cuya existencia cumple el doble propósito de comprar y trabajar, se endeudan para poder sobrevivir, bajo efectos de drogas y alcohol.
Una distopía capitalista.Y, aunque la novela es una hipérbole, sin duda el futuro envejeció muy pronto. Casi se parece a nuestra sociedad.
En el mundo, más nuestro que del pasado, de Mercaderes del Espacio se fabrican miles de productos que nadie necesita y cuya demanda es vulgarmente confeccionada con propaganda omnipresente. Mientras fabrican remedos de café parecidos a la Coca-Cola con alcaloides adictivos añadidos y los venden masivamente, comer un bistec sale más caro que un mes de vacaciones. La deforestación ha hecho el aire irrespirable. Cae hollín como rocío del cielo. No hay recursos para nadie y la humanidad ahora ve hacia otros planetas para hacerse espacio. El gobierno es apenas una fracción más del complejo industrial y comercial. El capitalismo ha hecho que las empresas tengan un estatus más importante que el propio Presidente de EEUU.
Se nota la preocupación de los autores por la creciente mercantilización de todos los servicios más básicos. Protegerte contra un ataque armado no es una prerrogativa de un ciudadano no obligación de la policía, sino de empresas privadas. Las guerras comerciales alcanzan cotas de guerra reales, con cientos de muertes vistas como un gaje del oficio.
En todo ese infierno, los "consumidores", cuya existencia cumple el doble propósito de comprar y trabajar, se endeudan para poder sobrevivir, bajo efectos de drogas y alcohol.
Una distopía capitalista.Y, aunque la novela es una hipérbole, sin duda el futuro envejeció muy pronto. Casi se parece a nuestra sociedad.
nedens's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
First published in 1952, this book shows a future with advertising agencies on top of the heap, and life isn't pretty for the rest of us. The environment is shot, cities are crowded and food tasteless (and very much GMO).
By coincidence, I was reading this at the same time as [b:The Evening Star: Venus Observed|1911358|The Evening Star Venus Observed|Henry S.F. Cooper Jr.|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266924830s/1911358.jpg|1913297], and unlike other science fiction from the early 50s, Venus was known to be hot and inhospitable. Scientists have a plan to terraform and colonize, led by advertising executive Mitch Courtenay.
I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot and nodded at some of the foresight. At the time this book didn't rate any award nominations, but it is now on several recommended lists and the SF Masterworks. It is also relatively short, and definitely worth a read. Frederick Pohl penned a sequel 32 years later, and I will probably add it to my reading list.
By coincidence, I was reading this at the same time as [b:The Evening Star: Venus Observed|1911358|The Evening Star Venus Observed|Henry S.F. Cooper Jr.|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266924830s/1911358.jpg|1913297], and unlike other science fiction from the early 50s, Venus was known to be hot and inhospitable. Scientists have a plan to terraform and colonize, led by advertising executive Mitch Courtenay.
I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot and nodded at some of the foresight. At the time this book didn't rate any award nominations, but it is now on several recommended lists and the SF Masterworks. It is also relatively short, and definitely worth a read. Frederick Pohl penned a sequel 32 years later, and I will probably add it to my reading list.
saara_ilona_muu's review against another edition
4.0
Copyright 1952. I have to keep that in mind. Everyone smoking, in the story, got to me, but how was Mr. Pohl to know that cigarettes would fall out of favour? Otherwise, the story was quite enjoyable.
dbelkins's review against another edition
3.0
Started off really strong, but kind of fizzled at the end.
jennykeery's review against another edition
5.0
A staggeringly relevant satire of advertising culture and all-powerful corporations and also (more importantly) an exciting, fantastically-written sci-fi novel.
silvae's review against another edition
3.0
The groundwork for the dystopian dynamics of Heechee Saga are laid here but examined through a far less grim lense. I was glad to find Pohl more in his element in this satirical view on consumerism; he also had far fewer chances to be sexist, homophobic and just weird about underage girls in general, so I had a good time. Not sure I enjoyed it enough to read/listen to the sequel, but nonetheless I had fun while tidying my flat and that's all I want out of scifi at it's core.
skaldhart's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism