Reviews

The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal

katieinca's review against another edition

4.0

I may have seen The Thin Man once twenty years ago, but I have passing familiarity with Nick and Nora Charles just from general cultural absorption, and as "Nick and Nora but on a space cruise in the future," this works for me. The mystery plot/reveal was kind of nutty, but I can handle that in a noir homage. I had a harder time managing the way the protagonist puts herself through the ringer physically, but it didn't stop us from staying up for "oh, just one more chapter" a few times.
The cocktail recipes at the beginning of each chapter also work for me, and we even tried a couple of the ones we hadn't heard of because they sounded fun. She includes some "zero proof" cocktails too, but we didn't try those.

crimsoncor's review against another edition

5.0

Did I love this book? yes, yes I did. I have very fond memories of The Thin Man movies, so when you strip away the period misogyny, set it in space, and center the story around a fascinating female main character, I'm 100% in. Plus a great dog and a super swear-y lawyer. And lots of cocktails. Between this and the Lady Astronaut novels, MRK is writing some of the best character driven science fiction right now.

themarquessmagpie's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

protagonistspub's review against another edition

Butchering of the English label for social engineering purposes is an unforgivable sin.

aelis_'s review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

rexsavior's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

writer_matt's review against another edition

funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

theladyduckofdoom's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 In case anyone was as afraid for Gimlet as me at the start of the book:

Gimlet does NOT  die

ohclaire's review against another edition

4.0

Honestly, it worked for me! Like, I get the negative reviews about money solving everything, but it was fun and escapist and that was enough for me.

mrst's review against another edition

Didn't enjoy the characters. Tesla is so annoying and entitled. Clunky writing. Could tell it was going to be a dud.