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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
So I finally finished this. I wanted to like it more than I did, but the overarching theme of objectivism vs. socialism led to a lot of speachifying that was ultimately dull to listen to. I might have liked this better if I read it instead of listening to it.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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:
Yes
A fascinating book that's both gripping and off-putting (so many of its characters and themes are awfully ablist, and while part of that is explicitly critiqued, it is horrible to read about and through nonetheless, and to me, not sufficiently dealt with). It's very interesting for its analysis of how ethics of care may develop regardless of explicitly Randian society as a background. Still, I think the book has also aged badly in many ways: by not foreseeing animal rights, by assuming wealth and work go together and never truly interrogating the coherence of the objectivist ethics many characters spout (arguing with them as if they were good faith and incorrect rather than repugnant, fascist, evil on their face), by not looking outside USA, by having a random old-dude-marries-a-15-year-old (and no one bats an eye) throw away plot, by never fully grappling with the assumptions of its imaginary philosopher, who somehow is supposed to have been the start of a decent morality, but who really, sounds like Rand's cousin.
The reversal of beggars is done well, but the language of it isn't fully explored, either.
I disagree with all the reviewers who think the first bit, the novella, is better as stand alone: without the supers' intervention, this would have been much worse.
If I sound like my objections are ideological: maybe they are, but also it's not that I disagree with the book, it's that I think some of its points come off naive and not fully thought-through. Like: livers don't work, right? Except some seem to.
Much to think and argue about; I'd love to read a properly left-wing critique that is written by someone with an actual background in ethics, economics and the like.
The reversal of beggars is done well, but the language of it isn't fully explored, either.
I disagree with all the reviewers who think the first bit, the novella, is better as stand alone: without the supers' intervention, this would have been much worse.
If I sound like my objections are ideological: maybe they are, but also it's not that I disagree with the book, it's that I think some of its points come off naive and not fully thought-through. Like: livers don't work, right? Except some seem to.
Much to think and argue about; I'd love to read a properly left-wing critique that is written by someone with an actual background in ethics, economics and the like.
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought I was familiar with all the great sci fi around. Awesome! This book is a "traditional" genetic modification/ethics dilemma scenario, with some good political themes twisted into it. Think Ayn Randish sci fi (if that is possible).
Basic premise is that babies can be genetically modified to not need sleep...and in this alteration, they are waaaaay smarter because they can learn for twice as long. This creates a have/have not situation which escalates and escalates. Persecution, isolation, laws, new gene modifications. This was a thrilling read, and I'm glad to hear there are 2 more books by the same author about the same topic!!
Basic premise is that babies can be genetically modified to not need sleep...and in this alteration, they are waaaaay smarter because they can learn for twice as long. This creates a have/have not situation which escalates and escalates. Persecution, isolation, laws, new gene modifications. This was a thrilling read, and I'm glad to hear there are 2 more books by the same author about the same topic!!
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book may hold the record for longest time between reading the beginning and the end. I'm pretty sure I started listening to it...before COVID. Definitely before I sped up my audiobooks.
The fact that I remembered enough about the story to pick it up says something.
Most of what it says is "what did I just read"? (For a given value of just)
This book is fascinating in the way it understands sectarianism and intelligence, especially when it comes to intellectual disability. It's particularly interesting because (like many marginalized sf writers, as opposed to white straight male writers), Kress is more interested in "What happens if" rather than polemics. Which makes, in particular, the portrayals of disability messy on any number of levels: whose life has value, how do we define value, a certain amount of magical healing...but because it's not polemical, Kress also lets it remain a problem rather than an argument. This book is uncomfortable, but precisely because it wants to think about the uncomfortable implications of genetic modification.
There is also, and this is my biggest critique of the text (aside from some of the freudian stuff), a complete absence of art as anything other than distraction (bad) or STEM support (good). Nothing about the human being's need for art or creativity. 90s. Whatever. That's probably the biggest frustration in the book. (The second biggest is that this was apparently a novella first that got expanded into a book AND IT SHOWS.)
The fact that I remembered enough about the story to pick it up says something.
Most of what it says is "what did I just read"? (For a given value of just)
This book is fascinating in the way it understands sectarianism and intelligence, especially when it comes to intellectual disability. It's particularly interesting because (like many marginalized sf writers, as opposed to white straight male writers), Kress is more interested in "What happens if" rather than polemics. Which makes, in particular, the portrayals of disability messy on any number of levels: whose life has value, how do we define value, a certain amount of magical healing...but because it's not polemical, Kress also lets it remain a problem rather than an argument. This book is uncomfortable, but precisely because it wants to think about the uncomfortable implications of genetic modification.
There is also, and this is my biggest critique of the text (aside from some of the freudian stuff), a complete absence of art as anything other than distraction (bad) or STEM support (good). Nothing about the human being's need for art or creativity. 90s. Whatever. That's probably the biggest frustration in the book. (The second biggest is that this was apparently a novella first that got expanded into a book AND IT SHOWS.)
A fun read; seemed to be headed in a Randian direction, but wasn't. This emotionally and intellectually satisfying story concerns genetically engineered children who need no sleep -- to say more would be to give away the meat of the plot. More fiction than science, but a well-deserved Hugo for storytelling and conceptualization. I loved the way the "beggar" metaphor panned out.
Crater lake national park wishes to secede from Oregon.
Political in the best way. Creative, fascinating, and terrifying. The characters, plot, world, and book structure made masterfully complex and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this book.