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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I really liked the beginning of this book, but I was not able to transfer my interest to the main characters in the second half. I also feel that the original main character acted in ways that didn’t make sense as she aged. I like the concept of this world, but I wanted to know more about the everyday people and less about the politics of a small group of elites.
I have a feeling this was originally a few novellas? At least the "book one" and "book two" feel like they could have been stand-alone pieces. Also, book one is the weakest part of the novel, so if you, like me, are underwhelmed during it, rest assured, it gets better.
A friend complained when I mentioned I was reading this book that "It makes no sense that taking away sleep would make people more productive! They'd just spend more time being unproductive!" I agree with him, but I also think that's a disingenuous complaint to make about this book. Kress set out to write a thought-experiment about "what if there were a caste of genetically engineered people who were naturally superior in intellect and achievement" and so the method by which they get there is meaningless. Case in point - there is very little ever said about how the sleepless would arrange their lives differently, or furnish their homes differently. They even still use beds for sex, when a sofa would have more utility there.
I digress.
The one thing it was missing, in my opinion, was an understanding of how discrimination and minority status work. You can't have a fictional minority and simply wash under the rug the idea of inequality as it exists. The fact is that inequality is often couched in terms of the favored group having "natural superior intellect and achievement" so having a new group that really does have that should directly confront this idea and show how inequities in opportunity, stereotype, and social caste can cause the dullard to achieve greater than the genius.
Rather, Kress opts to ignore discrimination of this sort, to leave the only active emotion in discrimination to be "envy of their betters" which ... ugh ... is historically a charge laid at the feet of the marginalized.
SO that's a big flaw in the book. It does get more nuanced toward the end, and I was grateful for the introduction of high achieving "sleeper" characters, but I am left wondering how much more groundbreaking this book could have been, given the author's excellent command of character, if it had been more thoughtful in portraying social systems.
A friend complained when I mentioned I was reading this book that "It makes no sense that taking away sleep would make people more productive! They'd just spend more time being unproductive!" I agree with him, but I also think that's a disingenuous complaint to make about this book. Kress set out to write a thought-experiment about "what if there were a caste of genetically engineered people who were naturally superior in intellect and achievement" and so the method by which they get there is meaningless. Case in point - there is very little ever said about how the sleepless would arrange their lives differently, or furnish their homes differently. They even still use beds for sex, when a sofa would have more utility there.
I digress.
The one thing it was missing, in my opinion, was an understanding of how discrimination and minority status work. You can't have a fictional minority and simply wash under the rug the idea of inequality as it exists. The fact is that inequality is often couched in terms of the favored group having "natural superior intellect and achievement" so having a new group that really does have that should directly confront this idea and show how inequities in opportunity, stereotype, and social caste can cause the dullard to achieve greater than the genius.
Rather, Kress opts to ignore discrimination of this sort, to leave the only active emotion in discrimination to be "envy of their betters" which ... ugh ... is historically a charge laid at the feet of the marginalized.
SO that's a big flaw in the book. It does get more nuanced toward the end, and I was grateful for the introduction of high achieving "sleeper" characters, but I am left wondering how much more groundbreaking this book could have been, given the author's excellent command of character, if it had been more thoughtful in portraying social systems.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence
My favourite Nancy Kress novel. Just finished re-reading this.
This book has been on my to-read list for over a decade (three guesses on what to read list it originally featured) and like many great books I have no idea what took me so long. It's a very quick read owing to a very simple narrative style, but what it lacks in stylistic sophistication, it more than makes up for in interesting characters, fantastic plot and some really interesting, engaging ideas. A must read for all those who have always been different from their peers and who struggle with their place in society. Particularly good if paired with [b:The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better|6304389|The Spirit Level Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better|Richard G. Wilkinson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328026576s/6304389.jpg|6489020] and [b:The Robot's Rebellion: Finding Meaning in the Age of Darwin|700096|The Robot's Rebellion Finding Meaning in the Age of Darwin|Keith E. Stanovich|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328872831s/700096.jpg|686407].
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Futuristic sci-fi, read for a bioethics class. Definitely has some ethical talking points, a bit slow moving but thought provoking.