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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
I only understood about 70% of what was discussed in this book, but I love Richard Powers because he’s a writer of big ideas. If his reach exceeded his grasp-and there’s a sense that this one is way overstuffed with interesting concepts-it gets under control in later works like Orfeo and The Overstory. Written in 1991, the problems that are explored her have all been solved, but it still works as a piece of historical fiction back in the days when scientists were still mapping the genetic code and research librarians were Google back before the internet. I’ll read it again, with a better sense of what I’m in for and give it more close, careful attention.
I loved this book. Music, art, and science: what could be better? It's not an easy read, and for me it will require additional reads to get it all, but it's worth it.
FMI see my blog post at A Just Recompense. It's one of my more unhinged posts; someone interested in knowing what the book is about would be better off reading professional reviews, which are easily available.
FMI see my blog post at A Just Recompense. It's one of my more unhinged posts; someone interested in knowing what the book is about would be better off reading professional reviews, which are easily available.
"Postmodernism är sämst (titta bara på all reklam och på alla som sitter och kollar på sport med ljudet avstängt och ger livekommentar (finns en karaktär som basically bokstavligen gör det, med kostym på sig)); var en genetiker som gillar medioker romans och som lyssnar patologiskt på Bach istället. Juste, USA är sämst, också. Särskilt försäkringsbolagen. Man borde terrorisera dem med poesi samtidigt som man håller en monolog om hur Goldbergvariationerna relaterar till DNA, och därmed Livet Utan Gud. Kryptografi är viktigt, också. Poe kan lära en person allt hen behöver veta om kryptografi" -Richard Powers, antagligen.
very dense book. Have to pay attention while reading this. Can see how/where he was developing his ideas/themes that led up to The Overstory.
I think choosing the audiobook for this tome was a good way to go.
Overwritten to the max, sometimes torturous, still beautiful and insightful, and eventually, an intriguing story.
The Gold Bug Variations wrecked the world of one jon faith a long time ago. My ecstatic reply generated ripples of both interest and disquiet . I loved the three characters, loved the Midwestern backdrop, the nerdy affinity that adults could maintain with straight faces. No, there wasn't much beer drinking, but the rich foam of ideas was a fair compensation. What followed was pure reverence. Then I had a girlfriend who found the novel to be shit. It should be noted that she was an actual scientist. I argued but in name only. I was defeated. My spirits sank. I now fear any return to this one.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes