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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I’ll start by saying I never read A Visit from the Goon Squad but I adding to my TBR list. Apparently, some of the minor characters from that book are the main characters in The Candy House. I had no clue, and it didn’t take away from my reading experience.
And don’t let the science fiction label scare you…it revolves around imagined technology and takes place in the late 90’s to the late 2020’s.
The Candy House revolves are Bix Bouton (think Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos) who has built a technology firm and is so famous everyone knows him by his first name. At 40 and feeling like he needs a new challenge, he attends a discussion group of mostly Columbia University professors where he is inspired by one of the professors.
Using the concepts behind the professor’s research, he creates a new technology called “Own Your Unconscious” where people can opt-in to have access to every memory you have ever had. People can also share their unconscious with others in a kind of memory database that is searchable and viewable.
The story revolves around multiple characters whose perspectives are told in a variety of writing methods. I read the book several months ago and wish I had written this review immediately upon completion. It is a good discussion about privacy and whether people should have access to so much information about each other. It takes the Instagram/Twitter, social media culture another level entirely.
I found the book fascinating and it would make a great discussion.
And don’t let the science fiction label scare you…it revolves around imagined technology and takes place in the late 90’s to the late 2020’s.
The Candy House revolves are Bix Bouton (think Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos) who has built a technology firm and is so famous everyone knows him by his first name. At 40 and feeling like he needs a new challenge, he attends a discussion group of mostly Columbia University professors where he is inspired by one of the professors.
Using the concepts behind the professor’s research, he creates a new technology called “Own Your Unconscious” where people can opt-in to have access to every memory you have ever had. People can also share their unconscious with others in a kind of memory database that is searchable and viewable.
The story revolves around multiple characters whose perspectives are told in a variety of writing methods. I read the book several months ago and wish I had written this review immediately upon completion. It is a good discussion about privacy and whether people should have access to so much information about each other. It takes the Instagram/Twitter, social media culture another level entirely.
I found the book fascinating and it would make a great discussion.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Enjoyed the speculative fiction aspect but largely bored by the character studies. Clearly an amazing feat of imagination but I didn't find the added complexity of dozens of viewpoints to be worth the added reading effort
Not for me. Or maybe not for me at this time. Too many people to keep track off, too many writing styles.
I read this book over two weeks and suspect I might have enjoyed it more if I had read it faster. Anytime I picked up the book again I had a really hard time remembering who was who and connected with whom - which is quite important for the story.
As it was, the story felt a little pointless.
I read this book over two weeks and suspect I might have enjoyed it more if I had read it faster. Anytime I picked up the book again I had a really hard time remembering who was who and connected with whom - which is quite important for the story.
As it was, the story felt a little pointless.
Slightly better than the Goon Squad, but more of the same things that I didn’t really like about the first in this book. I just…don’t see what the rave reviews are about. Some of these stories are absolute slogs to get through. I had fun with a few of them, but not enough to make this stand out or sit with me much. I’m writing this review two weeks after I finished the book and I can’t remember any of the stories. The central aspect of the whole collective conscious etc was slightly interesting but not enough to sustain much thought about it once I turned the last page on this book. Meh. I guess I’m just not into this type of fiction.
This was wonderfully crafted, but I really struggled to follow it. I think readers who have better memories would enjoy the interweaving perspectives, but I kept losing track of the thread.
Overall, it was difficult for me to follow the various characters since the story is told out of order and in a different voice and writing style with each chapter.
An easy and absorbing read though I did find myself thrown off again again by odd details and comments about some characters
I wish there had been more actual plot, since I enjoyed the stories
Also (interesting ?) parallels to playground
I wish there had been more actual plot, since I enjoyed the stories
Also (interesting ?) parallels to playground
Really enjoyed this. I read a review that was very critical of this book in comparison to A Visit from the Goon Squad, which I also loved -- this one follows many of the same characters years later. Fortunately for me, I suppose, I didn't remember enough details about that book to recognize any issues.