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hoorayleigh's review against another edition
3.0
There wasn't a single likable character in this novel.
bhoggard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
doritobabe's review against another edition
4.0
June 2018: while re-shelving I feel myself wanting to give this a higher grade because I have fond memories of the story now that some time has gone by... 3.5/5
I am having a hard time deciding my feelings about this book. I would like to give it 2/5 stars, and not 3, but since goodreads does not allow this I will settle for 3/5 symbolizing a whopping "2.5" stars.
This is my second foray into M Faber's 'fiction' (so obviously science fiction, yet not labeled as such) as I began with "Under the Skin" which I adored for its succinctness, simplicity, and thought provoking themes about "vegetarianism" (if you have read the text, you will understand the need for quotation marks) that made it a thoughtful piece of literature rather than a mindless summer read. I was hoping for the same from The Book of Strange New Things as it appears to encapsulate my favorite things to read about: aliens.
However, this text was too filled with literal and thematic preaching and endless conversational dribble that did not advance the plot. Really, the book has so much potential for being a very exciting read that borders on anthropological-science-fiction, but I feel like it lost much of its momentum part way through. Most of the time, it felt as though Faber realized that he was paid to write a 500 page text instead of something like Under the Skin--which averaged maybe 300-- and decided his best to do so. For instance, many of the exciting elements introduced in the introduction of the novel quickly fell to the way side. The mystery shrouding the missing people on Oasis could have turned suspenseful and adventurous; the quiet-yet-suspicious members of USIC could have yielded cool plot advancement and danger for our protagonist and is friend Grainger (who was most definitely wasted potential of a character); Bea, being the readers only link to the desperation and suffering of those on Earth, took a selfish and pathetic turn for the worse and definitely brought down the excitement level of the book IMMENSELY with her self-pitying... maybe I am being too harsh with her? If not for her use to support the plot and the reason for the USIC colony, which was very minor, this information could have been delivered otherwise... I cannot tell you how tired I was reading about clothing and consoling neighbours and what the cat was doing...blah blah blah. Not exciting stuff.
After awhile, within sight of the end of this book, I was hoping for some plot twist that would throw me back into what excited me in the first place about this book, but alas, Faber neatly wrapped up all he started with--in a brown wrapped paper package that was sealed with scotch tape-- and ended the text with our character a changed man.
I will have to admit that Peter was an interesting character; displaying how people can exist in extreme states of being and habit as this is how they feel change can come about for them. What I mean by this, is that Peter was once an alcoholic drug addict (typical) who was saved by his wife, Bea, because she introduced him to God. Much of the story revolves around this dependency and guidance from God. Faber endlessly quoting scripture and biblical history to the reader in what feels like an attempt to convert them. By the end, Peter doesn't know where he stands (I suppose the humor in this is literal as during this self-transformation period he is usually literally lost or traversing a desert or some other liminial position) and this is where this entire book ends up: after affecting others positively, I suppose he is to return to Earth to save it (at least for his wife) from ruin. How heroic! Or boring? Maybe this book just wasn't for me...
I am having a hard time deciding my feelings about this book. I would like to give it 2/5 stars, and not 3, but since goodreads does not allow this I will settle for 3/5 symbolizing a whopping "2.5" stars.
This is my second foray into M Faber's 'fiction' (so obviously science fiction, yet not labeled as such) as I began with "Under the Skin" which I adored for its succinctness, simplicity, and thought provoking themes about "vegetarianism" (if you have read the text, you will understand the need for quotation marks) that made it a thoughtful piece of literature rather than a mindless summer read. I was hoping for the same from The Book of Strange New Things as it appears to encapsulate my favorite things to read about: aliens.
However, this text was too filled with literal and thematic preaching and endless conversational dribble that did not advance the plot. Really, the book has so much potential for being a very exciting read that borders on anthropological-science-fiction, but I feel like it lost much of its momentum part way through. Most of the time, it felt as though Faber realized that he was paid to write a 500 page text instead of something like Under the Skin--which averaged maybe 300-- and decided his best to do so. For instance, many of the exciting elements introduced in the introduction of the novel quickly fell to the way side. The mystery shrouding the missing people on Oasis could have turned suspenseful and adventurous; the quiet-yet-suspicious members of USIC could have yielded cool plot advancement and danger for our protagonist and is friend Grainger (who was most definitely wasted potential of a character); Bea, being the readers only link to the desperation and suffering of those on Earth, took a selfish and pathetic turn for the worse and definitely brought down the excitement level of the book IMMENSELY with her self-pitying... maybe I am being too harsh with her? If not for her use to support the plot and the reason for the USIC colony, which was very minor, this information could have been delivered otherwise... I cannot tell you how tired I was reading about clothing and consoling neighbours and what the cat was doing...blah blah blah. Not exciting stuff.
After awhile, within sight of the end of this book, I was hoping for some plot twist that would throw me back into what excited me in the first place about this book, but alas, Faber neatly wrapped up all he started with--in a brown wrapped paper package that was sealed with scotch tape-- and ended the text with our character a changed man.
I will have to admit that Peter was an interesting character; displaying how people can exist in extreme states of being and habit as this is how they feel change can come about for them. What I mean by this, is that Peter was once an alcoholic drug addict (typical) who was saved by his wife, Bea, because she introduced him to God. Much of the story revolves around this dependency and guidance from God. Faber endlessly quoting scripture and biblical history to the reader in what feels like an attempt to convert them. By the end, Peter doesn't know where he stands (I suppose the humor in this is literal as during this self-transformation period he is usually literally lost or traversing a desert or some other liminial position) and this is where this entire book ends up: after affecting others positively, I suppose he is to return to Earth to save it (at least for his wife) from ruin. How heroic! Or boring? Maybe this book just wasn't for me...
mcearl12's review against another edition
2.0
I so wanted to like it! Love the title, the cover, the concept.
The premise of this book was original, clever, thought-provoking, and yet...the book itself completely missed the mark for me. I found the author's description of another universe to be interesting both in terms of landscape/atmosphere detail and the other life forms described. Things going haywire on earth was scarily believable. Unfortunately the main character was just too one dimensional. I didn't feel empathy or sympathy for him. He wasn't unlikable, nor was he likable. I just didn't care. The protagonist's wife was the most fully-fleshed character, to me, which is ironic since most of what we know of her is through intra-universe correspondence with her husband. I like the premise, and I really wanted to like the book, but it just laid flat for me.
The premise of this book was original, clever, thought-provoking, and yet...the book itself completely missed the mark for me. I found the author's description of another universe to be interesting both in terms of landscape/atmosphere detail and the other life forms described. Things going haywire on earth was scarily believable. Unfortunately the main character was just too one dimensional. I didn't feel empathy or sympathy for him. He wasn't unlikable, nor was he likable. I just didn't care. The protagonist's wife was the most fully-fleshed character, to me, which is ironic since most of what we know of her is through intra-universe correspondence with her husband. I like the premise, and I really wanted to like the book, but it just laid flat for me.
matthew_pawlyszyn's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ansl's review against another edition
4.0
Om eerlijk te zijn weet ik nog altijd niet wat ik van dit boek moet denken. Het is alleszins heel anders dan ik had verwacht, maar het was wel goed. (Alleen had ik niet gedacht dat het zoveel over God zou gaan, maarja :p). Volgens mij zit er ook ergens een diepere betekenis achter en ben ik gewoon te dom om die door te hebben ofzo..
samseybert's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
thebookhaze's review against another edition
5.0
It's been a long time since I read a book that has got me so engrossed in it. The truth is that while a lot of things happen, nothing really *happens*. There's not much action or danger in the book at all, and the only disasters that happen are told second-hand, so it's not like a thrilling adventure or anything.
The thing that makes this book great, is the character arcs. The things that they go through, their internal struggles, the little nuances that makes a person human... It was amazing to look at each and every one of them, even the "aliens", and try to understand what makes them tick. How who we are can change in an instant, or over time...
I think that's the biggest takeaway for me. You could've been an deadbeat alcoholic drug addict, but you can clean yourself up, become a new person, a leader in your community, and vice versa. We are all fluid, we can choose who we want to be, what we want to do with our lives. There is so much hope in this book, given in the most realistic way. So profound, and yet so simplistic in its delivery.
The thing that makes this book great, is the character arcs. The things that they go through, their internal struggles, the little nuances that makes a person human... It was amazing to look at each and every one of them, even the "aliens", and try to understand what makes them tick. How who we are can change in an instant, or over time...
I think that's the biggest takeaway for me. You could've been an deadbeat alcoholic drug addict, but you can clean yourself up, become a new person, a leader in your community, and vice versa. We are all fluid, we can choose who we want to be, what we want to do with our lives. There is so much hope in this book, given in the most realistic way. So profound, and yet so simplistic in its delivery.
eardil's review against another edition
3.0
First I have to say that I liked this book. I'm giving it 3 stars not because it is not good, but because I wouldn't actively recommend it, it is a journey that you have to decide to go to on your own.
I'm not sure if the author is a christian, but the book is not. What I mean by that is that you don't have to be worryied that this book is going to preach to you, which leads me to the part that I liked most about this book. I'm a christian, and for the times we are living it's great to see someone depict christianity as from the inside to "outsiders", the author has a very sober and honest view of christianity.
For example there is a scene at the beginning in which the characters express the responsability of a christian as a conduit for the love of Christ and not about judgement, that the correction of one's actions must be a consecuence of the love of Christ. On one hand they're saying that they must not seek justice and punishment as a way to express christianity, but on the other hand they acknowledge the sinfulness of the actions. And in this respect there are a lot of things that resonatewith at least my view of christianity in a simple, everyday kind of way, all the way to the end of the book.
This is not a feel good book. This is not a judgemental book. This is a story about faith and purpose and the separation from the people you love most, and it feels honest.
I'm not sure if the author is a christian, but the book is not. What I mean by that is that you don't have to be worryied that this book is going to preach to you, which leads me to the part that I liked most about this book. I'm a christian, and for the times we are living it's great to see someone depict christianity as from the inside to "outsiders", the author has a very sober and honest view of christianity.
For example there is a scene at the beginning in which the characters express the responsability of a christian as a conduit for the love of Christ and not about judgement, that the correction of one's actions must be a consecuence of the love of Christ. On one hand they're saying that they must not seek justice and punishment as a way to express christianity, but on the other hand they acknowledge the sinfulness of the actions. And in this respect there are a lot of things that resonatewith at least my view of christianity in a simple, everyday kind of way, all the way to the end of the book.
This is not a feel good book. This is not a judgemental book. This is a story about faith and purpose and the separation from the people you love most, and it feels honest.