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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is hard to discuss because the plot is basically following students who left Mars as "exchanger students" to study on Earth returning to Earth, along with delegates from Earth. It's a tense time in Martian-Earth politics, and the students are realizing home isn't the same that they imagined it.
This book dissects capitalism, living as an individual versus a collective, disconnect from a culture you thought was yours, and the cyclical nature of politics and revolutions in such a tight and reflective way. The writing - and the translation - was stunning. Both Hao and Liu have talent with words and it shows. It's definitely slow, and I was kind of disappointed in its pace at the beginning. But, then it caught me and wound me in. And left me considering it for months after. I long to re-read it.
This book dissects capitalism, living as an individual versus a collective, disconnect from a culture you thought was yours, and the cyclical nature of politics and revolutions in such a tight and reflective way. The writing - and the translation - was stunning. Both Hao and Liu have talent with words and it shows. It's definitely slow, and I was kind of disappointed in its pace at the beginning. But, then it caught me and wound me in. And left me considering it for months after. I long to re-read it.
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Long after the war between Mars and Earth has cooled, communication and trade is tentatively explored. But these worlds are separated not only by the vastness of space, but also differing political and economic structures and beliefs. In all this, Luoying and a cohort of other youths return to their home on Mars after living on Earth for the last five years, trying to find their way in the in-between.
This book was mesmerizing! This set up barely scratches the surface, it was such a complex reading experience I probably only picked up on a fraction of what it was really trying to convey. Not heavy on the plot, but a ton of character, gentle tension, and exploration of ideas. What truly blew me away was this seamless cantering between the interiority of the mind, the physicality of location and technology, and deeply felt political philosophy. And so cool for themes of capitalism/socialism to be explored through the lens of creativity and art.
I can totally see this book not being for everyone though - it was slow and meandering and heavy on the discourse. But for me, I definitely hung in there and was delighted to be carried away with all the story layers.
This book was mesmerizing! This set up barely scratches the surface, it was such a complex reading experience I probably only picked up on a fraction of what it was really trying to convey. Not heavy on the plot, but a ton of character, gentle tension, and exploration of ideas. What truly blew me away was this seamless cantering between the interiority of the mind, the physicality of location and technology, and deeply felt political philosophy. And so cool for themes of capitalism/socialism to be explored through the lens of creativity and art.
I can totally see this book not being for everyone though - it was slow and meandering and heavy on the discourse. But for me, I definitely hung in there and was delighted to be carried away with all the story layers.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Una ciencia ficción reflexiva, pausada que, en realidad, trata del ciclo eterno de decepciones y decisiones entre distintas generaciones.
This is a book that takes its time, but it does so in a way that gradually draws the reader into the world that the author has imagined, and into the lives of the numerous characters it follows. It's translated from Chinese, and that means it's not only coming from a different language, but from a different culture. This is useful to keep in mind while reading. The book has themes of change and revolution, and figuring out one's place in the world - which can sometimes be a place between worlds. The city on Mars had a fascinating construction, and it was interesting to see how two different worlds had two completely different systems of government and economy - and how each had its weaknesses. It was interesting to see what characters were willing to sacrifice and in what ways both for themselves and for the good of the society around them. While this novel took its time, it gradually built in intensity as the end of the story neared, and it was, overall, a satisfying read.
I think this was mostly a case of “it’s me, not you”. I simply failed to inform myself a little more about the actual content/subgenre of the book and went in expecting a political space opera.
This book reads more like a social study to me and in general the writing and the characters failed to gain my attention after a promising start. The social and political contrast between the Earth and Mars were interesting, but honestly speaking I struggled to get through most of the second half.
This book reads more like a social study to me and in general the writing and the characters failed to gain my attention after a promising start. The social and political contrast between the Earth and Mars were interesting, but honestly speaking I struggled to get through most of the second half.
Vagabonds is the best book I've read in a long time. A thoughtful and poignant rumination on the arc of human history, this book was both an enjoyable read and intensely challenging. Even if you're not a regular Sci Fi reader, I highly recommend giving this book a chance.