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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I loved Borne, and it was wonderful to return to that world, though through a very different, very fragmented lens that required deep concentration. I listened to the audio of this book. The narration was well-paced, characters distinct. Emily Woo Zeller did a wonderful job with just the right level of drama.
This felt like sort of a tribute to the wonders that are life, and an apology to the Earth, and an an indictment of the selfishness of mankind all at the same time. Very few sections were linear story. Those were clear, with carefully wrought characterization, while the rest of the book was segmented, building some pieces and tearing veils from others in a well-orchestrated progression.
If you are a fan of Vandermeer's fiction, you'll feel right at home with Dead Astronauts. If not I can pretty much guarantee you'll find this book unique, like an epic poem that's not quite a poem.
Highly recommended.
This felt like sort of a tribute to the wonders that are life, and an apology to the Earth, and an an indictment of the selfishness of mankind all at the same time. Very few sections were linear story. Those were clear, with carefully wrought characterization, while the rest of the book was segmented, building some pieces and tearing veils from others in a well-orchestrated progression.
If you are a fan of Vandermeer's fiction, you'll feel right at home with Dead Astronauts. If not I can pretty much guarantee you'll find this book unique, like an epic poem that's not quite a poem.
Highly recommended.
Too esoteric for me right now, we'll come back when I'm ready
adventurous
challenging
challenging
dark
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
Unfortunately a busy life is what caused me to take nearly two months to finish this book. Regardless, Dead Astronauts was kind of nonsense and I had no idea what was happening in the second half. However, Vandermeer’s strange skill with words and weirdness still earn this 3 stars.
A SLIGHT SPOILER: I really wish we could have stayed with Grayson, Moss, and Chen throughout the entirety of the novel instead of it devolving into whatever the f#*k that was!
A SLIGHT SPOILER: I really wish we could have stayed with Grayson, Moss, and Chen throughout the entirety of the novel instead of it devolving into whatever the f#*k that was!
I wanted to like this one because VanderMeer, but I had to force my way through it.
DNF at 58%.
I was intrigued by this book but I went back and forth with it. I think this is a case of right book, wrong time. I'd love to finish it, but compared to everything else I have going on reading wise (and considering this is a library book that I've checked out the max number of times), I'll just stop it where it is and hope I come back to it when it feels more appealing.
I was intrigued by this book but I went back and forth with it. I think this is a case of right book, wrong time. I'd love to finish it, but compared to everything else I have going on reading wise (and considering this is a library book that I've checked out the max number of times), I'll just stop it where it is and hope I come back to it when it feels more appealing.
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"What a nothing you made out of the world you were given.”
Stunning. This book was absolutely stunning.
I don't normally leave reviews for books. In fact, I never have before. But for this one I just had to.
I picked this up after reading Borne, the first in this series, which I adored. While Borne was endearing, moving, and unputdownable, Dead Astronauts was a challenge. I confess that I started reading it a few months ago and stopped shortly in because I couldn't wrap my head around what was going on. But this book, the potential of it and its secrets, kept nagging at me, so I picked it up again and I'm so glad I did.
Dead Astronauts is bold and experimental. It requires you to think, and remove yourself from your world, in a way, in order to understand or appreciate it. But within its beautiful prose and unusual structure it contains some very important and powerful messages.
Do you love the world?
Do you really?
Are you aware of the world?
Are you really?
I want to sing the praises of this book from the rooftops and let that melody float over the entire world. That's how much I adore this book.