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A review by bent
Glasshouse by Charles Stross
3.0
Let’s start with the positive. This book was a fast-paced read. I found myself picking it up fairly regularly and reading it longer then I intended to at any one sitting. I couldn’t believe how quickly I read it. The story kept me interested right until the end.
That said it was an unsatisfying read. I found the characters two-dimensional, the story poorly plotted with unnecessary plot twists, and the universe the novel inhabits not very convincing. Stross seems to be trying to comment on gender roles and socialization, but not in a very coherent or thought-provoking manner.
While I enjoyed the writing, I spent a lot of my reading time being annoyed by choices the author has made. This book reminded me of other books I’ve read, particularly John C. Wright’s The Golden Age trilogy, which had a much better realized universe . I don’t know whether to praise Stross for his writing, or excoriate him for his loose structure, weak characters and poor plotting. In the end, I’d say an enjoyable read, but definitely not life-changing. I suspect this won’t be a book that stays with me.
That said it was an unsatisfying read. I found the characters two-dimensional, the story poorly plotted with unnecessary plot twists, and the universe the novel inhabits not very convincing. Stross seems to be trying to comment on gender roles and socialization, but not in a very coherent or thought-provoking manner.
While I enjoyed the writing, I spent a lot of my reading time being annoyed by choices the author has made. This book reminded me of other books I’ve read, particularly John C. Wright’s The Golden Age trilogy, which had a much better realized universe . I don’t know whether to praise Stross for his writing, or excoriate him for his loose structure, weak characters and poor plotting. In the end, I’d say an enjoyable read, but definitely not life-changing. I suspect this won’t be a book that stays with me.