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gracecrandall's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I had vague memories of watching (and enjoying) the movie they made based on this premise. I still enjoy the premise quite a bit, but couldn't get past the way the narrator really, really sounded like Zapp Brannigan.
peter__b's review
3.0
Read as a part of [b: Minority Report and Other Stories|534004|Minority Report and Other Stories|Philip K. Dick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1175602438s/534004.jpg|6771170]
I have watched the movie of the same name that's based on the premise in this short story, but I only vaguely remember it now. It wasn't the best of movies and I think it might have been due to a similar issue as this story: it's hard to have tension when you know that every step the protagonist makes has already been planned for. While it was fun having the protagonist figure everything out, it was just hard to feel worried for him knowing from quite early on that his past-self set him up to succeed.
The core idea is once again very clever though and I can appreciate why this author is regarded as one of the best sci-fi writers ever. However, his execution of the story and especially the weak ending here were disappointing. The story otherwise was fun as we got to experience the solving of the puzzle of the trinkets, despite some plot holes and a lack of information behind the sci-fi elements.
I have watched the movie of the same name that's based on the premise in this short story, but I only vaguely remember it now. It wasn't the best of movies and I think it might have been due to a similar issue as this story: it's hard to have tension when you know that every step the protagonist makes has already been planned for. While it was fun having the protagonist figure everything out, it was just hard to feel worried for him knowing from quite early on that his past-self set him up to succeed.
The core idea is once again very clever though and I can appreciate why this author is regarded as one of the best sci-fi writers ever. However, his execution of the story and especially the weak ending here were disappointing. The story otherwise was fun as we got to experience the solving of the puzzle of the trinkets, despite some plot holes and a lack of information behind the sci-fi elements.
sarah42783's review
3.0
I bought this book thinking it was a novel but was very disappointed when I realized it was actually a short novel (VERY short, 40 pages) and I've never like short novels... I really liked the plot line though and enjoyed the story very much.
brianswanick's review
3.0
I liked Recall and Blade Runner better, but this was pretty enjoyable and a quick read. I like how PKD externalizes thought process and logic and this fit right in with what I've read from him before. It's just a shame that I've read and seen lots of Science Fiction before reading him, since his mark is left on a lot of it.
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