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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
3.5
When it started I was sceptical and thought it was slightly pretentious.
The middle, the plot and the writing and most of the characters and the set up soon changed my mind, right up to the Big Twist at the end (which I feel like you figure out but is still well done), but the last page was a real let down. The final chapter didn’t fit with the tone of the book, was too neat and tidy and...optimistic.
I also felt that the female characters were pretty 1 dimensional which is always a let down.
Overall though I enjoyed it and enjoyed how it made me think.
When it started I was sceptical and thought it was slightly pretentious.
The middle, the plot and the writing and most of the characters and the set up soon changed my mind, right up to the Big Twist at the end (which I feel like you figure out but is still well done), but the last page was a real let down. The final chapter didn’t fit with the tone of the book, was too neat and tidy and...optimistic.
I also felt that the female characters were pretty 1 dimensional which is always a let down.
Overall though I enjoyed it and enjoyed how it made me think.
Just reread it for the first time in about fifteen years. Just as fresh as ever. I love the main characters voice, I could read it all day (and did) and I love the idea of the future city, in fact I didn't realise I've been modelling a lot of my ideal scifi on the ideas of this city. And that's bout the best thing you can ask of a sci fi novel, those ideas that are so right they just stick!
4.5 Stars
Part 1: Hardboiled detective in a strange cyberpunk (of sorts) future. Funny in a Hitchhiker's Guide sort of way.
Part 2: Things get weird. Very weird.
Part 3: Surreal to the point that if I hadn't read the entire book in one sitting, I might question if I hadn't picked up the wrong book by mistake. I can't begin to describe the last half of this book without spoilers.
My only gripe, that I leave here so that my future self can remember what that annoyance in the back of my mind over this novel might be, is the sudden influx of backstory in the last 30 pages. Our hero is about to lose everything, as heroes are wont to do, and then... backstory. Unlike other reviewers, I do not think this backstory should have all been spaced out between the rest of the book. Part of it is where it is for a reason. But it certainly overstays its welcome. Half of it could have been cut entirely or moved earlier in the book with no impact on the story or readers. I'm considering this 4.5 stars, with that half a star lost completely by the deluge of backstory at the end.
Part 1: Hardboiled detective in a strange cyberpunk (of sorts) future. Funny in a Hitchhiker's Guide sort of way.
Part 2: Things get weird. Very weird.
Part 3: Surreal to the point that if I hadn't read the entire book in one sitting, I might question if I hadn't picked up the wrong book by mistake. I can't begin to describe the last half of this book without spoilers.
My only gripe, that I leave here so that my future self can remember what that annoyance in the back of my mind over this novel might be, is the sudden influx of backstory in the last 30 pages. Our hero is about to lose everything, as heroes are wont to do, and then... backstory. Unlike other reviewers, I do not think this backstory should have all been spaced out between the rest of the book. Part of it is where it is for a reason. But it certainly overstays its welcome. Half of it could have been cut entirely or moved earlier in the book with no impact on the story or readers. I'm considering this 4.5 stars, with that half a star lost completely by the deluge of backstory at the end.
The broken wardrobe machine was a perfect portent for the rest of the book.
GENIAL. Devorei este livro em 3 dias e há muito tempo que não lia uma história tão bem conseguida e com uma complexidade fascinante. O heroí/narrador parte dum bairro chamado "Colour" que contém/recolhe/aceita pessoas que respeitem estar dentro de ambientes de cores. Para além deste bairro existe o "Red", bairro de extrema violência, o Centre, para os Actioneers (que não conseguem parar de pensar em trabalho) e entre outros o "Stable", um bairro isolado do resto dos outros bairros. A segregação selectiva através da divisão dum mundo por bairros é fascinante e mostra até onde o nosso egoísmo nos poderá levar. Mas mais fascinante é o processo de busca pelo nosso heroí dum "Actioneer" desparecido e as implicações que isso pode ter para todos, em especial sabendo nós que não se pode voltar atrás nunca => "Only Forward"
Snark zips around futuristic City, on a mission that takes him on the other side of reality... and himself.
This was quite unexpected ride into metaphisics and dream-theory. It was mostly fun, and then it just kept on punching. At times it was a bit convoluted, and the ending was abrupt, but I enjoyed Snark's ravings, and breaking of the fourth wall.
This was quite unexpected ride into metaphisics and dream-theory. It was mostly fun, and then it just kept on punching. At times it was a bit convoluted, and the ending was abrupt, but I enjoyed Snark's ravings, and breaking of the fourth wall.
Another white male fulfillment novel, disguised as creative dystopian world. Instead, it's cliche, racist and follows the standard male hero trajectory.
The neighbourhoods and setup are somewhat interesting - with names like Sounds, Stable, Color neighbourhood with their inherent characteristics and regulations. There are some satirical shades of Douglas Adams and Vonnegut with elevators that converse with their riders and tech gadgets like CloazValet and gravity changers.
The main protagonist is a gigantic jerk, although I have a distinct feeling the author wrote him sincerely as someone to be admired. He is a braggadocio, 'I've been around the block' self taught autodidact who grew up in the school of hard knocks & is so much smarter and cynical than anyone else. Just listening to this narcissist cataloguing his thoughts and clues on this big conspiracy is painful. 'I had this thought, I have a feeling it's important, oops the thought is gone but it'll be super important for later and I'm so smart for recognizing that.' When he performs a task or emotional labor eg. comforts his charge, he points it out and self congratulates himself for being such a great human being. Sounds like the orange clown currently in office.
This type of character is a liability to society with his sense of entitlement and 'nobody understands me' syndrome. Sees himself as an outlaw who can break rules with impunity, disregards convention. He imagines himself to be a lone swashbuckling wolf and adopts a disdainful sneering tone to everything. He especially takes digs at go getters, perfectionists, organized have-it-all-togethers; in other words, people who actually have knowledge, expertise and education. Again, sound like anyone familiar?
Michael Smith has a soft spot for our guy though. He deftly navigates dangerous neighbourhoods, knows Asian ganglords, has a 'history' with his female supervisor who collapses into a puddle of tears on his shoulder when scared & is really a 'little girl' inside, a rich young woman in another neighborhood of 'lawyers, doctors and accountants' (cue the sneering tone) swoops in with a helicopter to save his sorry ass.
Surprise, he turns out to have a Special Gift. One oh so rare. Sigh, cue the Chosen One a la Matrix who can save the whole of humankind from our illusory dreamworld.
The plot relies on deux ex machina way too many times to save him from sticky spots. There is a lot of walking and adventuring from spot to spot (forest, defeat monster, castle), much like those dated fantasy games.
This book relies on racist stereotypes of Asian crime ridden neighbourhoods and psychotic Asian ganglords. Ji and Hu, really?
And Jeamland. Not Dreamland, mind you. Could the author not rouse himself to come up with a better name? At this point, I felt like I was a reading a middle grade adventure book.
For a much better nuanced protrayal of a dreamworld, I recomment Ishiguro's The Unconsoled.
Ji & Hu racist- psychotic ganglord, crime ridden
The neighbourhoods and setup are somewhat interesting - with names like Sounds, Stable, Color neighbourhood with their inherent characteristics and regulations. There are some satirical shades of Douglas Adams and Vonnegut with elevators that converse with their riders and tech gadgets like CloazValet and gravity changers.
The main protagonist is a gigantic jerk, although I have a distinct feeling the author wrote him sincerely as someone to be admired. He is a braggadocio, 'I've been around the block' self taught autodidact who grew up in the school of hard knocks & is so much smarter and cynical than anyone else. Just listening to this narcissist cataloguing his thoughts and clues on this big conspiracy is painful. 'I had this thought, I have a feeling it's important, oops the thought is gone but it'll be super important for later and I'm so smart for recognizing that.' When he performs a task or emotional labor eg. comforts his charge, he points it out and self congratulates himself for being such a great human being. Sounds like the orange clown currently in office.
This type of character is a liability to society with his sense of entitlement and 'nobody understands me' syndrome. Sees himself as an outlaw who can break rules with impunity, disregards convention. He imagines himself to be a lone swashbuckling wolf and adopts a disdainful sneering tone to everything. He especially takes digs at go getters, perfectionists, organized have-it-all-togethers; in other words, people who actually have knowledge, expertise and education. Again, sound like anyone familiar?
Michael Smith has a soft spot for our guy though. He deftly navigates dangerous neighbourhoods, knows Asian ganglords, has a 'history' with his female supervisor who collapses into a puddle of tears on his shoulder when scared & is really a 'little girl' inside, a rich young woman in another neighborhood of 'lawyers, doctors and accountants' (cue the sneering tone) swoops in with a helicopter to save his sorry ass.
Surprise, he turns out to have a Special Gift. One oh so rare. Sigh, cue the Chosen One a la Matrix who can save the whole of humankind from our illusory dreamworld.
The plot relies on deux ex machina way too many times to save him from sticky spots. There is a lot of walking and adventuring from spot to spot (forest, defeat monster, castle), much like those dated fantasy games.
This book relies on racist stereotypes of Asian crime ridden neighbourhoods and psychotic Asian ganglords. Ji and Hu, really?
And Jeamland. Not Dreamland, mind you. Could the author not rouse himself to come up with a better name? At this point, I felt like I was a reading a middle grade adventure book.
For a much better nuanced protrayal of a dreamworld, I recomment Ishiguro's The Unconsoled.
Ji & Hu racist- psychotic ganglord, crime ridden
I thought this book started out strong, but it soon descended into silliness, for me. I didn't like the main character, the female characters, or the fact that 50% of it was a dream sequence. No, thank you!
Read my full review on my blog:
http://www.50ayear.com/2018/04/06/11-only-forward-by-michael-marshall-smith/
Read my full review on my blog:
http://www.50ayear.com/2018/04/06/11-only-forward-by-michael-marshall-smith/
A debut (?) novel about a man who is just trying to do his job (fixing problems) the best way he can. Part humorous with huge chunks of whoa! (psychological) it's a different book than his later efforts - all fantastic and unsettling, in a good way.
Definitely an author for those who like books that pry your brain open and stories with bomb-like reveals.
Definitely an author for those who like books that pry your brain open and stories with bomb-like reveals.
3.5 rounded up to 4 for creativity and the cat neighborhood!