Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by jstilts
This Kingdom of Dust by David Dyer
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"Magnificent Desolation!" - Buzz Aldrin's first words as he stepped on the moon are a good description of this book, describing the moon itself and the emotional state of the astronauts, their wives, and the journalists tasked with capturing this historic event into words.
The historic event, however, goes wrong in this novel which see's Neil and Buzz stranded on the moon with little time to either make their peace or figure out a way to get home.
Swapping each chapter between the antiseptically heroic astronauts and the poisonously poetical journalist keeps tension and interest going.
Buzz's hidden doubts and uncertainties anathema to his training are undoubtedly the highlight of this novel, keeping you guessing which way the plot is going to jump.
My only quibble is with the epilogue, which throws more doubt onto the already uncertain ending which is itself an alternate history - did it really need muddying even further?
The historic event, however, goes wrong in this novel which see's Neil and Buzz stranded on the moon with little time to either make their peace or figure out a way to get home.
Swapping each chapter between the antiseptically heroic astronauts and the poisonously poetical journalist keeps tension and interest going.
Buzz's hidden doubts and uncertainties anathema to his training are undoubtedly the highlight of this novel, keeping you guessing which way the plot is going to jump.
My only quibble is with the epilogue, which throws more doubt onto the already uncertain ending which is itself an alternate history - did it really need muddying even further?